RYDA Newsletter 05/2022

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An unmistakeable early spring sight on woodland walks, wood anemones are an indicator of ancient woodland and long-standing Devon hedges.

A spring delight, the wood anemone grows in dappled shade in ancient woodlands. Traditional management, such as coppicing, can help such flowers by opening up the woodland floor to sunlight.

An easily recognisable flower, the wood anemone is a low-growing plant, with six to seven large, white or purple-streaked 'petals' (which are actually its sepals), surrounding a cluster of distinctive yellow anthers. Its leaves are deeply lobed and it has a thin, red stem.

The wood anemone is named after the Greek wind god, Anemos, who sent his namesakes, the anemones, in early spring to herald his coming. This legend gives the flower its other common name of 'Windflower'.

Devon Biodiversity Records Centre are asking people to record sightings of this star-shaped white flower to provide crucial data for DBRC’s Ancient Woodland Inventory work.

By recording brief details of your wood anemone sightings between now and May, you can help conservation of Devon woodlands and hedges.

The bluebell has many names: English bluebell, wild hyacinth, wood bell, bell bottle, Cuckoo’s Boots, Wood Hyacinth, Lady’s Nightcap and Witches’ Thimbles, Hyacinthoides non-scripta.

It is against the law to intentionally pick, uproot or destroy bluebells

Bluebells can take years to recover after footfall damage. If a bluebell’s leaves are crushed, they die back from lack of food as the leaves cannot photosynthesise.

Have you been down to the woods lately? The blue bells were superb, and Court Woodland now has a new notice board

Thanks to Peter Hall for the photographs

Above photos of Court Woodland taken by Peter Hall

Photo on the left taken of Eatern Hill Woodland by Alan Lomax

If you plant bluebells, you should make sure it's the English bluebell, not the Spanish version. This is a more vigorous plant and could out-compete our delicate native flower.

Bluebell colonies take a long time to establish - around 5-7 years from seed to flower.

Almost half the world's bluebells are found in the UK, they’re relatively rare in the rest of the world

More lovely photos of Eastern Hill Woods & Brookings Down Woods at the end of the newsletter.

How lucky are we! – There are small groups of Wild Orchids in and around our villages. Usually found in flower-rich meadows, this pink-purple orchid is scarce in the south-west.

Please be reminded not to pick wildflowers when on a daily walk to avoid facing fines

Picking protected species could result in imprisonment or a fine of up to £5,000.

The RYDA would like to publicly thank Andrew Beveridge who has organised our harbour clean up for the last 5 years.

It takes a lot of hard work to organise this event which helps keep our harbour and estuarys clean and litter free.

Please do your bit by taking your litter home with you

The silly season is upon us once again. With an influx of visitors parking is once again a problem.

The most dangerous places to park in Newton Ferrers are on corners. The two most common ones are at the top of Newton Hill, outside the co-op (there is a sign there saying NO Parking at any time, but it is hidden by a green cabinet) & the other is by the church adjacent to 3 & 5 Yealm Road, which is busy when there are weddings and funerals in particular. These two places necessitate out-bound vehicles to be on the wrong side of the road on a blind bend.

Noss Mayo is much the same; Parking close to the hairpin bend leading down to the tidal parking; & parking both sides of the little road outside Noss village hall, adjacent to the Tilly Institute.

These would create enormous difficulties for emergency vehicles

Please park considerately, and as tightly as you are able.

Let your passengers get out and park with the driver’s door opening onto the road, thereby taking up less space.

I am sure there are many more instances, and places of concern.

Please email us and tell us where dangerous parking takes place and we will pass it onto the RYDA team who are, together with the Parish Council, looking into parking and other traffic problems.

From the Parish Council, Roads and Highways Committee that consists of Parish Councillors and representative's from the RYDA and Newton & Noss Village Hall

20mph Speed Limits : The roads within Newton and Noss are typical narrow South Hams roads without pavements or verges and in particular the main roads ( Parsonage Road, Court Road, Bridgend Hill, Stoke Road and Revelstoke Road) have frequent pedestrians as there are no alternative footpaths. Cars, vans and even cyclists frequently drive along these roads at or over 30 mph passing adults, school children and dogs at very close range.

It is a case of ‘not if, but when’ an accident will happen and at 30 mph or more, then a pedestrian versus vehicle accident will be serious compared with an accident at 20 mph.

Devon CC have finally agreed that Towns and Villages within Devon can apply for 20 mph zones and we have requested a zone starting in Newton on Parsonage Road just before Peters Field / De Ferrers Drive extending across Newton & Noss to include Bridgend and including the existing 20 mph zone in Noss. An additional 20 mph zone in Membland has also been requested.

Recognising that it may take a while before Devon CC implements this, the Parish Council are :

Asking Devon CC to replace the 20 mph Sign and Road marking outside the Cruach on Stoke Road ( as you come into the village from Stoke ). For info - the sign was knocked down and not replaced 2 years ago and the Road marking was covered when Stoke road was resurfaced last Autumn.
Erecting 20 mph signs similar to those in Ermington and Modbury - these could be a "20 mph repeater" or a "20's Plenty " sign.
Asking Residents on Stoke Road and Revelstoke Road if they would contribute to and have outside their house a sign.
Reviewing the overall cost to erecting "20's plenty" signs elsewhere in Newton and Noss.

Car Parking : The pressures on our community from the number of cars, both residents and visitors, leads us back onto the subject of parking and where could additional parking areas be created.

The Roads and Highways Committee is looking at options and would welcome any suggestions where a parking area could be created. Ideally this should be on the approach to Newton Ferrers so as to minimise bringing traffic into the Villages.

Kevin Thomas, Lead for Roads and Highways

Parish Lengthsman

Newton & Noss Parish Council wish to appoint a village lengthsman, working flexibly 2.5 days a month, with the opportunity for additional project work, to help reduce the build-up of road debris in-between cleaning cycles and keeping the gutters, drains and Buddle holes clear.

Key Tasks - 0.5 days per month

Emergency Clearance of Drains and Ditches
Reporting of Potholes via the Devon CC Website
Reporting of Damaged and Blocked Drains via the Devon CC Website
Reporting of Overgrown foliage to the PC Clerk (Note Landowners are responsible for maintaining any foliage growing from their land over the Highway and Footpaths).
Emergency cutting back of overgrown foliage where agreed with Parish Clerk

Monthly Schedule according to a rolling programme - 1.5 days per month
Check and Sweep all road edges in a section of the villages (typically 1 road per month )
Road sign cleaning
Note excessive roadside growth and report to Parish Clerk

The Lengthsman will be self-employed, will be required to have undertaken Chapter 8 Training (Safety at Street Works and Road Works) and have Public Liability Insurance.

All relevant equipment will be provided by the Parish Council.

If interested and / or you would like more information, then please contact

Tam Gambie, Parish Clerk on 01752 872538 email clerk@newtonandnoss-pc.gov.uk or Kevin Thomas on 07498 024068 email thomaskev0@gmail.com

It's coming into honey bee swarm season again.

This is when the queen and half the bees leave there parent colony in search of a new home.

If you see a swarm please don't panic, they will be loud, there will be lots of bees, but they will also be very docile.

If you're fortunate enough to have one land on your allotment, in your garden or see them on the side of the road, please don't spray them with water or pesticide, just call Jay Geraty, and he will collect them and safely relocate them to a new home. 07544162229

Ukraine related activity in Newton and Noss

There has been much in the national press about hosting displaced Ukrainians in the UK but you may be wondering what is happening locally.

It is pleasing to report that, so far, nine local households have registered with the national hosting programme and some of these households have also registered with the Exeter Diocese initiative or with NGO programmes.

Newton & Noss Village Hall 200 Club Lottery – May 2022 Draw Results

A big thank you to everyone who has joined the lottery draw from April 2022 and to the local businesses who have so kindly contributed prizes to supplement the cash awards – Swan Inn, Ship Inn, Dolphin Inn, Luscombe Maye, Marchand Petit, Noss Beer Works, Bridgend Bike Services and Trevor, the Newton butcher.

Congratulations to the winners in the second of the twelve monthly draws in May 2022.

1 st Prize - £50 – Number 2122 - Kathryn Rooney

2 nd Prize - £30 - Number 2022 - Roger Hallett

3 rd Prize - £20 - Number 2183 - Lin Palmer

4 th Prize - Creedy Carver Chicken, kindly donated by Trevor the Butcher in Newton Ferrers) – Number 2127 - Lisa Davies

Thank you very much for your support

As the press articles make clear, the Central Government programme is slow and bureaucratic, however we have learned that patience and direct intervention reaps rewards and the first Ukrainian family will arrive around 11^th May. Through a village contact we are also in touch with a Ukrainian lady living in UK who is providing potential connections with families in need. The lady visited the village a few weeks ago and was able to meet all of the potential hosts.

It is important that the host households are provided with broader support from those in the community that cannot provide accommodation but nevertheless wish to assist. So far sixteen families have offered support and I aim to link requests from hosts or their guests with these additional supporters. Requests might be for transport needs, employment, general advice and so on. The coordination will be via WhatsApp and email. Some of the people that have volunteered to help have yet to provide me with a mobile phone number which is needed for WhatsApp, and they are requested to contact me again with their mobile number. Anybody else who would like to join the list is invited to email peterbhinchliffe@gmail.com with contact details.

Readers may be interested to learn that a charity that Sue and I run, Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) UK, is currently funding a fleet of ambulances with embarked medical teams inside Ukraine. We anticipate increasing the fleet from the current seven vehicles to 20 in the coming weeks. The teams are being used to provide first aid and first aid training and for the evacuation of chronically sick children across the border out of Ukraine. Please email (as above) if you would like to know more or to contribute.

Peter Hinchliffe

The Council's Executive Member for Environment has written an open letter to residents of the district, giving an update on the garden waste service here in the South Hams.

Read it here: https://southhams.gov.uk/.../Garden-Waste-Where-We-Are-An...

#SouthHams #gardening #wasteservice

Planning

There are no significant new applications, however, the Collaton development is due to be discussed by SHDC Development Committee on 25 May.

Following a letter sent to many villagers regarding the development, Yealm Medical Centre have posted on Face book the following statement: The practice has been made aware of a recently circulated letter regarding the proposed Collaton development and a statement within the letter saying that the Medical Centre has confirmed that it has plenty of capacity.

We would like to make it clear that the practice was not approached by any of the authors of this letter and the statement in the letter is incorrect.

The GPs would like to make it clear that whilst we would of course accept all new patients from this proposed development the practice is already working at full capacity to provide high-quality primary healthcare to 6,500 patients.

There is a national shortage of GPs and therefore additional patients registered at the practice would inevitably stretch our ability to provide the high standard of care that we strive to achieve.

The statement referred to was made by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, an example of “management” not knowing what happens on the shop floor.

Whats On?

Yealm U3A are trialing a flower arranging group.

Contact Laraine Kirham 873080 if you are interested. The first meeting will be on Monday 9^th May 10.30-noon follwed by another on 6^th June in the WI Hall Newton Ferrers.

Details of cost will be sent out once members have registred their interest Each group is limited to 12 people

Sunday 15^th May Pope’s Quay 40^th Celebration

Popes Quay was rebuilt by volunteers in the 1970’s. It had almost disappeared through neglect.

A celebration is planned to commemorate this achievement. – Details available at the Swan. A fun filled day is planned

Holbeton Film Club

Holbeton Film Club are delighted to announce that we are restarting screenings with Steven Spielberg’s award winning film West Side Story (certificate 12A, moderate violence, discrimination, sexual threat, implied strong language). Lovers Maria and Tony find themselves entangled in the bitter battle between their gangster families. Knowing this feud will lead to disastrous consequences, Maria sends Tony to end the fight.

This is showing on Saturday the 14th May in Holbeton Village Hall. Doors open 7pm. The programme starts at 7:30pm. Tickets on the door £4, (£2 for under 12’s). Ice creams, teas and coffees will be on sale.

For more information contact Harry Baumer 830274

The programme for the coming months is:

Official Secrets (15), Friday 10th June

Nomadland (12A), Saturday 9th July

Belfast (12A), Friday 12th August

Emma (PG), Saturday 10th September

Respect (12A), Friday 14th October

Summerland (PG), Saturday 12th November

The Duke (12A), Friday 9th December

Yealm Parchment Craft Group

Next lesson 27^th May 2022

Project: Acrylic painting

Newton Ferrers WI Hall

Parsonage Road, Newton Ferrers PL8 1PJ

All equipment will be provided if you don’t have it, so you can try the craft before you buy your own .

Your tutor will be Lesley Dempsey, who is a level 3 tutor of the Academy of Independent Parchment Tutors. academyparchmenttutors.com

Please register your interest at lesleyswp@hotmail.co.uk or 07838375449.

Cost £8 per session. There is a car park opposite and the hall is fully accessible

NEWTON & NOSS PLANT SALE

Following last year's successful Plant Sale, we're having another outdoor pop up.

It will be held on Saturday 21st May between 10am and 12pm at Yealm Cottage, Newton Hill, Newton Ferrers.

Please donate any spare plants and seedlings you may have in the house, garden or greenhouse.
All proceeds will be shared between St Luke's Hospice and the YGS.
Donated plants can be dropped off at Yealm Cottage between 5pm and 6pm on Friday 20th May.

May 19 Understanding invasive species - deer and crayfish (Wild About Devon)

We have had working parties from group members in the past over the invasive Pacific Oyster in the marine estuary, and in pulling Himalayan Balsam from the freshwater river.

At our last excellent talk, sadly poorly attended, on the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, we had discussion on how to keep newly planted trees protected from invasive species - deer grazing and grey squirrels taking out the leading shoots of 8 year old oak trees.

But there are problems from many other species that have either been introduced intentionally or due to northward migration due to climate change.

Do we try to combat this to protect our native species, or do we just accept a change in our flora and fauna?

This free on-line talk from the Devon Local Nature Partnership focuses on deer and freshwater signal crayfish. You need tickets to be sent the webinar link.

Link to order (free) tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../understanding-invasive...

Peter Brown

Again not entirely local, but learn to snorkel in safety

SATURDAY, 21 MAY 2022 FROM 11:00-12:30

Beginner Snorkel Safaris; Mount Batten Beach

Taking place at Mount Batten Beach, these sessions are aimed at those wanting to take the first steps into snorkelling.

Not really in our backyard, but may be of interest to you Yachts people.

SATURDAY, 14 MAY 2022 FROM 12:00-16:00

Treluggan Boat Jumble Treluggan Boatyard Landrake, Saltash

Our Ocean Discovery Rangers are fully qualified BSAC Snorkel Instructors, and will be on hand each step of the way. Over one and a half hours, you will learn how to use snorkel equipment, cover basic snorkel techniques and explore everything that the Ocean has to offer. More info: https://bit.ly/NMAsnorkel

Poetry at St Peter the Poor Fisherman

Poetry will return until mid-summer due to popular demand. The first of which will be Tuesday 21^st June at 7pm. Contact Sue Spooner 872771

It is important to remember that we welcome all members of the community to all groups. Indeed we would love YOU to join us! Any age, any ability and of course you could look at it as your way of supporting us too.

The walking group would love a few more people. The walks set off from the carpark at the end of Barton Close in Wembury at 10.30 each Wednesday at a gentle pace. The walk is short (about 45 minutes) and is supported by trained walk leaders. The emphasis is on getting out in the fresh air, meeting with others, having a good old chat and of course keeping active. It is a fun and friendly bunch.

The Reading Group are also keen to welcome new folk. This wonderful group takes place in The Parish Room, Bakery Square , Yealmpton at 10.30am each Thursday. The group is led by readers who read out loud sections of a chosen book and a selection of poems that link to it. Printed out text is provided and we all follow along. A group full of friendship, we chat, laugh, reminisce and sometimes even sing about the content over coffee and biscuits. Why not come and give it a try, it truly is fabulous. You can also access this group via Zoom simultaneously . Just let me know if you’d like the link and the readings will be sent to you via email, ahead of the group.

The Art and Craft group meet on the 1^st and third Monday of the month at Yealmpton Community Centre in Stray Park. You don’t have to be a whizz at anything at all. Just come along and join us. Art and craft materials are provided or you can bring along something you’re working on. Once again , the emphasis is on coming together as a group with a common interest, chatting, having fun and perhaps creating a little something along the way. You can be sure of a warm welcome.

Keeping active is important for us all and our Gentle Exercise Group is a fantastic way to do that. We meet weekly at Yealmpton Methodist Hall. The group is led by trained physiotherapists who keep the sessions achievable and fun. Once again it’s a great opportunity to meet up with others and to keep your body active and moving.

What would activities be without singing? We meet monthly in Yealmpton Methodist church for a grand old sing song of familiar songs. We are accompanied by Jenny who leads us in song and Brenda on the keyboard. We are also blessed with some good strong voices from the Villageaires. Its uplifting and fills us with joy. Do come along with a friend or two. There is coffee and biscuits to follow and a chance to chat and make friends.

Anyone for tennis? – Table tennis that is!

The U3A Have formed a group; Playing in Newton & Noss Village Hall every Tuesday morning 10.00 – 12.00 noon & Thursday evenings 7.00pm-9.00pm

2 tables are available, plus bats and balls if you don’t have your own.

£3 per session (plus you would need to become a member of the Yealm U3A)

Contact Roger Barnett on 872663 or e mail mrandmrsbarnett@gmail.com