RYDA Newsletter            02/2026

Medicine in the Renaissance period. The rebirth of learning, creativity, and, marvellously, of common sense!

The Church's stranglehold on medicine was loosening, allowing a new generation of medical pioneers to advance. Not only that, but the invention of the printing press meant the spread of progressive ideas became cheaper and easier.

Da Vinci was basically the viral meme of his day. But – some of the old, really weird practices and ideas were still common...People even still believed in the magical properties of stones.

Bezoar stones (or mad stones) were solid masses that grew inside the stomachs of goats...It was believed that rubbing these stones on the body cured all forms of poisoning, and even King Charles IX of France was a fan.

But his Royal Surgeon, an ambitious doctor named Paré, thought that the King was being as dense as his so-called magical stones...

Paré was determined to prove it was all nonsense, so he did an experiment: He saved a criminal from being hanged...then he poisoned him. Paré used the Bezoar stone treatment on the criminal 

which, of course, did nothing. This proved that you could challenge old beliefs with intrepid investigation. And that 'magical' stone treatment was a bit... stone dead.

The world’s first printing press was invented in the 15th century. As a result, books could be printed, rather than written out by hand. As it was now easier to create books, more of them appeared, and more people could access them. This meant that new ideas could be spread more easily.

The invention of the printing press also meant that the Church no longer had control over what was written in books. Therefore, it could not control medical education. Physicians and scientists were now able to publish ideas that challenged people like Galen.

Printed medical books were now prevalent if you were rich enough to be able to read, and had loads of pretty images of charming things like cut up frogs and dismembered corpses. This led to dissection being practiced more widely and, in turn, more medical understanding.

Things were changing on the battlefield too. New weapons meant new injuries. So doctors like Paré saved many lives when he developed new types of treatments, moving on from cauterising wounds with burning oils... to cleaning wounds with rosewater and sewing up veins. Ideas about blood flow were also evolving, as doctors realised that the heart was actually a pump, pushing blood around the body.

There was a physician called William Harvey, who dissected lizards. By cutting up these reptiles he detailed a new theory of blood 'circulation', challenging Galen's old idea that blood was created in the liver and simply 'burned up' by our muscles.

But Renaissance medical knowledge was pushed to its limit by The Great Plague of 1664. Like the Black Death 300 years earlier...the Great Plague was pretty harsh, killing around 100,000 people in London - almost a quarter of its population – in under 18 months.

Public health services were still non-existent, and people were living in towns so dirty and crowded you couldn't swing a cat (or a dog) in them. In fact, cats and dogs got a lot of the blame for the plague. Not realising that flea-ridden rats were to blame, the London Mayor, ordered the death of 200,000 cats and dogs, as they were widely thought to cause the disease. Meanwhile, people also falsely believed in such remedies as bathing in urine -- heavy pipe smoking, and the trusty unicorn horn.

But there was some good news...Some doctors, such as George Thomson, were starting to challenge old beliefs about the plague. Thomson refused to evacuate London, so he could study the disease. He eventually caught the plague but miraculously survived! He claimed he did this by placing a frog on his chest... and although this was scientific rubbish, his work demonstrated a renewed interest in observation, experimentation, and challenging the norm.

However, as a result of the change towards a more scientific approach to learning, there were new medical ideas and discoveries. For example:

• small seeds spread in the air were observed using newly invented microscopes
• factors outside the human body (eg temperature), rather than the four humours inside the body
• ‘animalcules’ - tiny animals that could only be seen using a microscope (this is a word that we no longer use, as we now have a greater understanding of bacteria)

So, as you can see, by the end of the 16th and 17th centuries there had been some key developments in medicine. New medical books were flying off the printing presses, Paré was pioneering new surgical methods on the battlefield, blood circulation was now understood, and Thomson was so keen to investigate the plague he even caught it himself. But these developments didn't trickle down to the wider population, and, even among doctors, there were still some crazy ideas. And it would be a few more years before medical science truly started to accelerate.

(BBC bitesize)

The 2026 Lottery - Hurry Up!                                            

There’s still time to buy your lottery numbers for the Newton and Noss Village Hall for the first monthly draw on the 30^th January 2026. Tickets are available now on our website  https://www.nnvh.org.uk/lottery.php or by emailing lottery@nnvh.org.uk.

Five prizes for every month £50, £30, £20 and two other prizes purchased from or donated by local businesses. Why not surprise a loved one or friend with a lottery gift card for £10 for the January to June draws, or £20 for the January to December draws?

Most reported purchase scams

Purchase scams are when you buy a product online and receive nothing in return or something that isn't as described.

Lloyds Bank has revealed the top five most reported purchase scams in 2025, according to its customer data as:

1. Vehicle and vehicle accessories
2. Ticket scams
3. Clothes and accessories
4. Personal items (e.g. perfume, hair extensions)
5. Driving lessons and tests

The bank also predicts that ticket scams will be big in 2026 and found that more than 70% of purchase scams happen on Meta-owned platforms.

To report scam ads or posts on Facebook or Instagram, select the three dots in the top right corner and press report.

NatWest scam email

A scam email impersonating NatWest ( above)

A scam email which claims to be from NatWest tells you that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will be making biometric login, using a biological trait like your fingerprint, mandatory.

This isn't true. The FCA does require banks to implement Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), such as getting you to enter in a one-time passcode sent to your phone before logging into online banking on a computer, but biometric checks aren't mandatory.

Scammers have used this lie to coax you into clicking on a malicious link and parting with your personal and financial data.

You can report scam emails like this by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk.

Dodgy websites can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre.

Are you getting over the flu or a nasty cold? Here is a natural hot drink that helps. Ive tried and tested it. – It smells like Christmas in a mug, & It tastes good too!

Brookings Down and Eastern Hill Woods

Volunteers of the working party meet once a fortnight on Saturday morning throughout to winter to maintain this valuable local asset for all to enjoy. Our work involves keeping footpaths open and accessible, removing fallen trees and branches whilst preserving a natural woodland habitat in which nature can thrive.

The January working party dates are on 3rd, 17th and 31st of the month. We meet outside the hut by the stream at the edge of the woodland a little way up from Noss Mayo tennis courts. We start at 10.00 am and the session lasts for about 2 hours, with coffee and biscuits provided during the session.

Anyone wishing to join us to help us preserve this special local asset is most welcome. Equipment and tools are provided but volunteers are advised to wear sturdy shoes and gardening type clothes.

For more information on the work of the woodland volunteers and the fascinating story of the creation of this local community haven, follow this link: https://ryda.org.uk/woodland.html

Iain Mackenzie

Medical Transport - Voluntary Scheme - PAL [ Phone a Lift ]

If you need a lift to a medically related appointment [ health centre, hospital, eye dept., dental, physio. ] you can contact our voluntary scheme by phoning 0300 234 0250. The coordinator will then contact our drivers to see if anyone can help. This is a voluntary scheme and no charge is made. You may, if you wish, contribute to the driver's petrol expenses.

would be pleased to receive information.

However, it is clear that we must demonstrate the community's need for the Co-op to remain.  There are two things that everybody can do to help with this: 

1. We must all make every effort to use the Co-op throughout the year especially in the winter.  Trade is the winter is much reduced compared to the summer for obvious reasons, but from a commercial point of view this seasonal aspect will doubtless feature in decision making.
2. Pat Parkes has placed petition sheets in the Co-op on the notice board toward the rear of the shop near the basement stairs.  She is also asking other venues to hold petition sheets. Please sign the sheet.

Peter Hinchliffe

Further to AkzoNobel carrying out the Remediation Work we are looking to carry out our own independent surveys.

This work will give publicly accessible, independent information which through active community engagement will assure the local community that the remediation has been fit for purpose and effective.

AkzoNobel were approached for a contribution, but declined as they are already conducting monitoring and analysis in line with their MMO licence.

For clarity our surveys will be only connected to the Remediation Work and will not be part of ongoing ecological work which is being carried out separately by other parties. The aim will be to publish some of the work in the peer-reviewed open scientific literature as this is an interesting case study.

We are looking for matching funding to contribute to independent research by local research charities (MBA, PML) working with local (UoP) and other Universities.

We are very lucky that Steve Hawkins (SJH) a Emeritus Professor (UoS) and Lankester Research Fellow (MBA) and Tony Hawkins Emeritus Fellow PML are carrying out surveys on Dogwhelks and Mussels to determine firstly if contamination has happened during the remediation work and its severity if it has occurred. Should these surveys show any contamination, they also plan to carry out further surveys at a 12- and 24-month interval.

They are using their vast experience in these fields coupled with local knowledge to compile the reports. They are both giving their time free of cost. They do require additional funds to pay for chemical analyses, some student bursaries to support shore surveys, plus a subcontract to the consultant (Dr Simon Bray) who did imposex surveys via the MBA for the EA court case (with two follow up surveys having been funded by SJH @ circa £5k to date).

At the same time Dr Heidi Tillin (PML) has arranged a high-spec drone survey of the area to be remediated and plans to carry out further surveys post remediation If necessary, further surveys will be carried out at a 12 & 24 month intervals. She co-ordinated the work at the MBA to inform the EA court case, before moving to PML. The first drone flight was covered by her internal funding, but data work-up and follow up surveys need to be paid for as all PML staff have to cover salary and research costs from external funding.

The combined total of in kind/direct contribution from the scientists is £53,500. We are looking to collect £17,500 for further chemical work analysis, laboratory work, further dogwhelk imposex surveys, and drone work. A further possible £29,000 could be needed to complete the 12 & 24 month work. These are the best estimates now, but based on years of experience.

We appreciate that this is a large sum but we feel that future generations would look dimly on us if we were not to be as diligent on this matter as we could possibly be.

If you would like to donate towards the survey work, please send BACS donation to 

HSBC Sort Code:  40-36-22 The River Yealm & District Association : Account No 70801240 Reference remedial; 

or a cheque made payable to The River Yealm & District Association, and sent c/o  Alan Lomax. Suncroft, Stoke Road, Noss Mayo. PL8 1DY

Kind regards

RYDA Committee, & 

Marine Biological Association (MBA),Plymouth Marine Lab (PML), University of Plymouth (UoP), University of Southampton (UoS)

Planning

  Here are the three most significant items of this month's planning applications, The closing date for comments on The Dolphin application is 29th Jan so please let us know your thoughts on this and the other applications as soon as possible, or make your comments directly to South Hams District Council..

    The Dolphin Inn - Enclosed glazed pergola situated on what was a small parking area.   Ref. No: 3400/25/FUL; link: https://southhams.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/3400/25/FUL
   Closing Date 29/01/2026
   Whilst we may wish to support local business, does the potential harm from this application outweigh the advantages? 

   This is effectively a glass box 8m x 6m, so how well will it blend with the location within the Newton Ferrers Conservation Area?  When illuminated at night will there be a significant light pollution impact?  Will the increased utilisation of the space be a nuisance to neighbours?  Is there an adverse effect on traffic and pedestrian safety to be considered?

Historic Ruin - Old Tea house - Restoration

   Ref: 3700/25/FUL link:  https://southhams.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/3700/25/FUL

   Closing date : 12/02/2026

   Repair & reinstatement of historic belvedere at Beacon Hill & establishment of private tea house.

   see elevation below

Rear garden of 5 Yealm Road, ( the new house will be on Church Park).

Reference: 3765/25/FUL, link: https://southhams.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/3765/25/FUL

Closing date 12/02/2026
Erection of a single self-build dwelling with vehicular and car parking access from Church Park, which serves as both a public footpath and a private, narrow, no-through road, where there is little vehicle turning space, so delivery vehicles have difficulty turning around. The proposed building shown below, would occupy much of the site and dominate the eastern end of the road.

News on some Earlier Applications

Two dwellings on land in front of 68 Yealm Road. Link:https://southhams.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/2530/25/FULThe Application has been approved by the SHDC Development (Planning ) Committee, and is awaiting agreement of conditions.

Land Rear Of 59 Yealm Road- Linkhttps://southhams.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/3958/24/FUL. The application was refused by SHDC in April 2025 and the Appeal has now been Dismissed. The main issues are the effects of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the South Devon National Landscape, and the effects on the Newton Ferrers Conservation Area (CA).

Whats On?

3^rd February coffee & chat Holy Cross 10.30

3^rd February First Tuesday Lunch club WIC hall new members welcome.. 12.00 prompt please £6pp 2 courses plus coffee. Allergies can be catered for. Please contact Jeanne (872442); Jane (872627) or Tracie (872612).

6^th February WI coffee and chat 2pm WI hall Ladies come and join us there is usually only about 6 of us, -  get to know us, we don’t bite (only biscuits), you might like us and join other WI activities

12^th February Parish Council Meeting  N&N village hall 7.00pm

14^th February WI Skittles for fun at the Westward Inn 12.00 followed by lunch (the skittle alley is free if we eat afterwards, even if it is home made soup or a sandwich) Come and join in the fun. A prize for the best score of the day – lets try and beat Glyn!

17^th February coffee & chat Holy Cross 10.30

20^thFebruary WI monthly meeting. The speaker is Pamela Voss, talking about “West country suffragettes” 2pm WIC hall All ladies welcome

You are welcome to bring your own alcohol if you wish, or you can treat yourself to one of our fabulous chocolate-covered ice creams!

Parking is available at the village hall; Tetris Tim will be out there helping manoeuvre the cars to accommodate as many as possible.

21^st February Divertimento String Quartet Holy Cross 3.00pm Tickets £20, students £10, under 18s free, in advance from, enquiries@divertimento.uk.com, 01803 863677 or at the door. Spring 2025 programme includes:

Mozart String Quartet, K 465, ‘Dissonance’

Stravinsky – Three Pieces

Mendelssohn String Quartet, Op 44 no 1

The music will be informally introduced by the Quartet

Sun, 22 Febat 13:30 Wembury Marine Centre Rockpool Safari

24th February– 7:30pm start WI Hall Newton Ferrers. Mandy Barber from Incredible Vegetables an experimental vegetable growing project and a research space dedicated to useful perennial edibles and future food crops, as well a perennial vegetable nursery. It was set up by Mandy and Julien Skinner near Ashburton. She will introduce us to perennial edibles and how to grow them.

26^thFebruary4^thThursday Lunch Club 12.15 £6 pp. Newton & Noss village Hall. 2 courses plus coffee. Please contact mrandmrsbarnett@gmail.comAllergies and vegetarians can be catered for, also vegetarian option available. New members welcome.

27^thFebruaryWI Craft group. Meet at 2pm WIC hall all ladies welcome £1.50 includes tea/coffee & biscuits.

Save the Date

1 March at 08:30 Seaquest Sunday Wembury Marine Centre

2nd March Coffee & Chat at Holy Cross 10.30-12.00

3^rd March 1^st Tuesday Lunch club. First Tuesday Lunch club WIC hall new members welcome.. 12.00 prompt please £6pp 2 courses plus coffee. Allergies can be catered for. Please contact Jeanne (872442); Jane (872627) or Tracie (872612).

7th March Parish Council Annual Meetng WIC hall 2.00pm

8 March at 13:30 Rockpool SafariWembury Marine Centre

10^thMarch WI Coffee & Chat

12th March WI Skittles, followed by lunch @ Westward Inn 12.00 all ladies welcome.

12th March DFPY Quiz Yealm Yacht club 8.00pm

17th March WI monthly meeting 2pm - Mary's Meals

24th March WI Craft group 2pm

21 March at 12:00 Extreme Rockpool Safari Wembury Marine Centre

26th MarchThursday Lunch Club 12.15 £6 pp. Newton & Noss village Hall. 2 courses plus coffee. Please contact mrandmrsbarnett@gmail.comAllergies and vegetarians can be catered for, also vegetarian option available. New members welcome.

28^th & 29^th of March  - Old Photos of Newton & Noss plus Revelstoke Tea Room.

The Hall is hosting an exhibition of old photos of Newton and Noss and the surrounding area. It is being compiled by the team who produced the ‘Spirit of the Yealm’ book, so it will be a fascinating look back on our local history.

The exhibition will be in the Main Hall, and we are running the pop-up tea room in the Revelstoke Room (and garden if the weather is kind to us) so please do join us for homemade cakes, freshly brewed tea and coffee, and light snacks for lunch. Just pop-in anytime between 10.00am and 4.00pm

Your WI is celebrating 100 years since the opening of the WI hall ! That is certainly something to celebrate and something that sadly few other WI’s in Devon can claim.

 To mark this momentous occasion our members would like to invite you to join them for tea and cake and to view a display of the work and activities enjoyed by our members over the years. Come along anytime between 2 and 5 o’clock on the afternoon of Tuesday 21st April to view the display and join us for tea and conversation with our members. Hope to see you all then!

9^th May Mewstone Treasure Hunt & Beach Barbecue

• Beach BBQ - all welcome, you do not need to have taken part in the Treasure Hunt to join us for BBQ.
• Beach Bar - all welcome, you do not need to have taken part in the Treasure Hunt to join us at the bar
• Registration for the Treasure Hunt on the day at 1st Wembury Scout Hut between 12:00 - 13:00
• The Treasure Hunt will take between 1 - 2 hours maximum to complete and uncover the code to unlock the treasure chest on Wembury Beach!
• The team to complete the Treasure Hunt in the fastest time will win a prize and the Treasure Hunt Trophy!