RYDA Newsletter           09/2022

The reason daddy long legs appear in homes and why you shouldn't kill them.

They are out this time of year because basically, they are hatching out of our lawns and various places – they live a lot of their lives underground as a grub, as a larva, and then what they do is they hatch out over the summer.

They often get confused with spiders but they're not, they're flies, they're really good food source for birds, they're really important to play their part so people should let them out their windows and not kill them. Crane flies are in fact not poisonous, contrary to popular belief and shouldn't be feared. They have probably got a reputation for being poisonous as people mistakenly think they are cellar spiders.

"The very long spindly spiders that you get in the corners of your room, they're called cellar spiders, those can pack a punch, but they are not dangerous to humans.

Crane flies are absolutely harmless. While the female has a point on the end of her abdomen, that's to lay eggs, it's not a stinger.

"The reason they come into the house is for warmth and they are attracted to light so if the lights are on in the house they come inside, and they hatch out in the darker hours to avoid being eaten by birds.

"They're not looking for shelter, they're out looking for a mate and then looking to lay eggs, they end up in houses because their favourite habitat is short grass and we have lawns."

The wall-jumping insect helps get rid of:

• Spiders
• Aphids
• Dead insects
• Fungus
• Bird droppings
• Worms
• Snails

If you don't want them in your home, a glass and piece of paper does the trick.

Now the children are back at school, why not focus on yourself. Learning a new skill or joining a group for social interaction is good for your brain and helps stave off dementia, banishes loneliness and isolation.

We are lucky in our area to have so many opportunities. With winter approaching, here is a quick look at some of our indoor activities.

Firstly, we have 2 Lunch Clubs; one in Newton Ferrers on the First Tuesday of the month at 12.00 noon; and the other in Noss Mayo on the 4^th Thursday at 12.15pm. Both are friendly venues, and welcome people of all ages and gender. £6 for 2 home cooked courses plus coffee or tea– What’s not to like. Just turn up, or contact the organisers: Please let them know of any allergies. For Newton Ferrers, Jeanne-val@venning.org; and for Noss Mayo mrandmrsbarnett@gmail.com 

In addition to the Bigger organisations that follow, are many smaller groups listed on our web site, with links from the home page, some of which include:  

Yealm Parchment Craft (Pergamano) Group ; Art Appreciation; Yealm Quilters; Tor Lace group; Music and Singing; Garden Societies; History Group; Twinning; Tai Chi; Yoga,  Dance, The Men’s Shed plus many more………

So there is no excuse to feel isolated, bored, or lonely. There is a welcome waiting for you, just make contact with one or more groups – You wont regret it!

Yealm Dementia Support Group are dedicated to improving and changing the lives of people with dementia and their families. Initial contact is Maxine 07450 206312 www.dementiayealm.org  You do not have to have dementia to join in! Activities include tea/coffee and biscuits.:

• Shared reading group, providing debate and recalling memories. Held in Reading Group 10.30-12noon Yealmpton Parish Room £2.00
• Craft Group. Bring your own project or rummage in the craft box. A natter is included! The 1^st & 3^rd Tuesday of the month £3.
• Gentle exercise group for those who have difficulty exercising Seated exercises under professional supervision 30 – 11.30 Yealmpton Methodist Hall £5.00
• Singing Along, community singing with the Brixton Villageairs 2-3.30pm Yealmpton Methodist Hall £3.00 no talent needed. Just enthusiasm.
• Walking Group, less energetic than the normal ramblers’ groups. 30am. Meet in car park at end of Barton Close Wembury
• Carer Support on Zoom 2.30-3.30 call Maxine for the Zoom link if you would like to attend. This is on a Friday once a month

The WI. This is not just a group of women listening to speakers. It is a vibrant active group who look out for one another, enjoy each other’s company, go on day trips and learn from one another within smaller “satellite” groups. You can come to 3 of these meeting before having to join the WI, so give it a try.

• The Book Club; meets to discuss a new book every 2 months, and
  aim to promote lots of lively debates. contact Judith Stephenson 872933 (we currently have a waiting list!)
• Choir Singing in two or three part harmony, we enjoy a variety of music ranging from numbers from musicals to more traditional songs.  Our aim is to have fun and learn about music while making a good sound in pleasant company. contact Joyce Stickley
• Craft Group aim to have a tutored activity once a month. This may be anything from dyeing silk scarves, crochet flowers, knitting poppies, a patchwork project, painting, bead jewellery, and card making to making Christmas decorations, etc. Contact Lesley Dempsey 873403
• Drama Group. The main events in the calendar have been those long-established favourites - the WI Christmas Revues and the Cabaret. They require writers, stage managers, scenery artists, costume designers, lighting, sound and video experts, musicians and front of house - not to mention the actors. We are therefore always looking for fresh talent.  So why not come and join us?  Contact Jean Ellis. 873144

Yealm District U3A are keen to encourage all members to be active, socially connect, take notice and keep learning. Through regular meetings and speaker events, group leaders provide opportunities to talk, share interests and ideas, whilst offering the opportunity to learn with and from each other, through a diverse range of activities, which include:

• Bridge – Lead Contact:  Jane Wain – email: Jane Wain Bridge-(Intermediates), supported by George Buckland (Beginners) and Nigel Wain (Master Classes)    

          These classes offer an opportunity to begin bridge, improve or refine your skills at Master Class level.                  Assistance is willingly offered in finding your correct starting point and there is no need to have a                          partner. Expressing an interest and booking a place in the relevant group, however, is crucial.

• Family History –Robin Forrester – email: history@yealmu3a.org.uk

         Genealogy has become increasingly popular recently and we are fortunate to have excellent local                         resources. The group extends its interests to ancient ancestries and explores different avenues for                       research. This is an increasingly popular group and if your question is ‘ Who are we?’ do come and find                 out!

• Flower Arranging –Laraine Kirkham – email: flowers@yealmu3a.org.uk

         These sessions are specifically aimed at those with little or no experience of flower arranging but would              like to learn and have some fun! Groups are limited to 12, as these sessions are practical and each                        session will take the format of a general talk, practical demonstration, followed by creating your own                    arrangement.

• French –Rosemary Smith  – email: french@yealmu3a.org.uk

         Informal and friendly for French speakers of all levels, these sessions held at home, provide a chance to             practise and extend your French over a relaxed cup of tea or coffee or maybe a glass of wine – French of             course!

• Book Group – Mary Wilcox– book-group@yealmu3a.org.uk

         Organised to promote the enjoyment and reading of a diverse range of fiction and non- fiction, the                       meetings are held on a three weekly basis from 11.00am until 12.30pm usually on a Tuesday and lead by           the person who has chosen the book for discussion. The group promotes friendly and lively debate. The             books are chosen by individual members on a three meeting rolling basis so that the lead is shared.

• German –Jill Mariner – email: german@yealmu3a.org.uk

          Discussions on topical and social issues are aimed at extending and broadening modern German                          colloquial vocabulary. A reasonable knowledge of spoken German is required; if in doubt about the level            please ask.

• Historic Churches – Jenny Arkinstall – email: churches@yealmu3a.org.uk Explore and learn about some of the churches in Devon and East Cornwall and their historical and architectural significance. These meetings provide a chance to visit and learn more about the region, its people and some of our very beautiful churches.
• Photography –Bob Styring – email: photography@yealmu3a.org.uk

          This very active group offers budding photographers the chance to explore different topics aiming to                  further the “Art of Photography”, whilst examining its technical aspects, in different locations in the area.           Through members’ shared knowledge and expertise, the group offers a collaborative approach to sharing            and disseminating knowledge to one another.

• Poetry –Jane Hawker – email: poetry@yealmu3a.org.uk

         With different themes at each monthly meeting the group meets to read, discuss and enjoy poetry. There           are occasional well supported public events which, for example, might show case local writing as well as             popular and well known poems.

• Table Tennis –Roger Barnett – – email: t@yealmu3a.org.uk

         There are two weekly sessions in Noss Village Hall: at 10am – 12 noon on Tuesdays and 7pm – 9 pm on               Thursdays. Bats and balls can be provided.
         We have two tables available, and all standards of players are welcome. There will be a session charge of           £3 when you play, to cover the cost of the venue.

• Tours and Trips –Barbara Geddes – email: trips@yealmu3a.org.uk

         These tours and trips, although irregular, offer opportunities to visit a diverse range of places such as                 submarines, Dartmouth College and our local TV studios, to mention but a few. These meetings always               give members plenty of notice and booking early is crucial.

• Wine Appreciation Group – Andrew & Sandy Hignett– email: wine@yealmu3a.org.uk Around the world in 80 wines! The world is our oyster when it comes to sampling wine at our meetings and this is often matched with appropriate tapas or canapes. With a combination of experts from the world of wine, together with individual members who volunteer to host these meetings, members can sample and learn about a selection of 7 or 8 wines from around the world, or a specific region, at each tasting. Needless to say this is a very enthusiastic group!

There are many outdoor activities on the web site too; football, bowling, cricket, walking, gig rowing, tennis, cycling and archery. The choice is yours Please join in, make friends, & do something you enjoy. Search on  https://www.ryda.org.uk

It is with sadness that we report the death of Peter Prichard on 12^th August.

Peter was a long standing RYDA committee member, and was instrumental in establishing the Neighbourhood Plan.

Our thoughts are with Margaret & Peter’s Family

Brookings Down and Eastern Hill Woods

We look forward to starting our Autumn work programme on the  17th September,  then every other Saturday and so to both existing volunteers and potential new ones, please meet at the shed in BDW near the play park at 10am, where tools and tasks will be allocated. (coffee and biscuits are also included)

The 2022 showing of Bluebells in both woods were once again stunning and it is heartening that the majority of our newly planted saplings have taken root and are growing with the help of the water carriers who made a number of trips to keep them watered.

The woods are great havens for our wildlife and taking a few minutes to stop, sit or stand provides a great experience of nature going about its business. 

Visitor numbers to the woods have been high which is great although some sections of paths and steps are showing signs of wear and will be attended to in our forthcoming work programme.

As a committee we are extremely grateful to Yealm Community Energy for awarding us a grant to help sustain our conservation work within both woods into the future.

Once again we look forward to restarting our work group on the 3rd September. If this is of interest to you please feel free to contact

 Paul Francombe (thefrancombes@btinternet.com) or

 Val Lomax (val@lomcroft.plus.com)

You’ve discovered something you love to do, and it has the potential to grow and support you financially. But what is your next move? How can you take your passion from the kitchen table or bedroom and turn it into a business?

The Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC Devon) is staging a free 10 week ‘Bedroom to Business’ course (from 8^th September) designed to help you make sense of the entrepreneurial journey ahead. You can attend in person or online every week.

Step by step, week by week, we’ll cover the key business skills you’ll need to launch a successful small business. At the end of the course, you’ll have all the tools you need to move your business forward.

BIPC Manager Richard Love said: “The past few years have been tough, and it has pushed many people to find alternative sources of income. If you have started, or are thinking about starting a new business venture, then this is the course for you!”

The free 10 week ‘Business to Bedroom’ course will be led by Award Winning Coach and founder of Clarity Coaching, Clare Palmer.

At the end of the 10-week program, five lucky participants will receive an additional three months of one-to-one business support from Clare herself. Ensuring that we at BIPC can continue to build ongoing relationships with and deliver investment to Devon’s most promising entrepreneurial talent.

Clare is an inspiring coach recognised as outstanding in her field and nominated for a Southwest Women Award in the category “Best Support Act”

Clare’s passion lies in helping people break back self-imposed barriers, increase self-belief and become more conscious of their thoughts, emotions and actions to achieve the best possible outcome for them.

The course will run in person and online every Thursday at 10am and also uploaded to the BIPC website https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/ to watch again. There will also be additional webinars and workshops alongside this training.

The content will cover everything from negative self-talk, goal setting and time management, to intellectual property, sales, marketing, research and accounting basics.

The course, like everything from the BIPC, is absolutely free and starts on Thursday 8^th September. And if you can’t attend, you can watch all of the webinars on the BIPC website.

For more information and to book go to https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/

The very hot spell in mid July didn’t mean that they produced even more electricity, as the panels work slightly less efficiently when the temperatures are up in the 30s, but they still produced the maximum that can be expected in mid-Summer.

The electricity production figures for the two solar farms for March to June are as follows:

March: 1,286 MWh (MW-hours or 1,286,000 Kilowatt-hours) 

April:    1,551 MWh 

May:     1,664 MWh 

June:     1,785 MWh  Total     6,286 MWh

That’s a lot of electricity!! It means that in these four months the two solar farms produced the equivalent of the average total annual consumption of 2000 homes.  Over the whole year they will produce the equivalent of about 4000 households, i.e. all of the houses in the 5 parishes.

The solar farms are performing consistently well and will be benefiting from the high wholesale electricity prices (following the very low prices during the COVID pandemic).  The high prices of course are bad news for all of us electricity consumers, but at least the surplus revenues from the solar farms will be staying locally, once we have the long awaited complete ownership.

Planning

A considerable number of applications this month.  Many have been amended from earlier applications following comments from neighbours, Parish Council, South Hams Planning Officers and among others the RYDA. 

Whilst it is pleasing to note the acceptance of such comments and suggestions, the cost to applicants must be significant.  Perhaps there is a need for a defined design guide for specific areas or a process of informal consultation with neighbours, local councils, planning authorities and local interest groups prior to formal application.

As always, your comments on any of the applications are very welcome and if you have any strong views, for either support or objection, or general comment, then please use the South Hams Planning Website, but also inform the RYDA and the Newton and Noss Parish Council.

Planning Application Ref: (use the links for further information) 

2784/22/HHO    17 Butts Park.

The proposal is to remove the mix of outbuildings to the side of the house and the existing front porch and replace these with a modern single storey extension.  Although large the extension will have little visual impact from the principal elevation.

Planning Application Ref: 2754/22/HHO  1 Church Park

This house has existing approval for a substantial extension and rooms in the roof which would necessitate raising the roof (Resubmission of 2950/19/HHO). 

The new application is for a kitchen extension over the existing balcony and flat roof, plus new larger windows.  A new entrance door on the Church Park elevation is also planned, but there is no requirement to raise the roofline.  This may be seen as having less impact than the existing approval.

Planning Application Ref: 2666/22/FUL Menryn, Court Wood

Although defined as an extension & refurbishment of the existing dwelling with a replacement garage, this seems to involve replacement of much of the original structure but with a small increase in the footprint.  Although the main concern is the addition of a new level to contain a bedroom “pod”, this is a substantially smaller addition than that of a previous, withdrawn application (Resubmission of 3167/21/FUL), following comments from the N&NPC with input from the RYDA.

Planning Application Ref: 2510/22/HHO - Even Keel, Pillory Hil

 A small, plain, single storey rear extension on the first floor, largely obscured behind the house, but visible from adjacent properties. 

Planning Application Ref: 2865/22/HHO – Cleeve, 83 Court Road –

An office extension with reglazing, including partial cladding & internal reorganisation.  This revised application (Resubmission of 2169/22/HHO) has much less visual impact, whilst, hopefully achieving the Applicant’ aims . It is pleasing to note that this is another revised application following comment from the Parish Council, SHDC Planning, neighbours and RYDA.

Planning Application Ref: 2693/22/HHO – The Porthole 27 Yealm Road

 This is another resubmission following Planning Officer comments for the relocation of the entrance to road level, the addition of a rear balcony between existing the dormers and some internal reorganisation.  With the improved appearance of a gable pitch roof instead of the initial flat roof over the new entrance. 

Planning Application Ref: 2669/22/HHO - Point Cottage 

This is a prominent house, overlooking and close to the waterside on Passage Road, within the Noss Mayo Conservation Area.  The proposal will change the garage into an Art Room, create a parking space for three cars & install solar panels.  Although the house has been extensively altered in the recent past, this proposal also seeks to excavate the rear of the house and construct a two-level extension with a pitched roof.  Although this extension is largely hidden from the east, a substantial massing will be apparent from the north and south.

Planning Application Ref: 2002/22/HHO – Willow Brook, Riverside Road West

This application is for a rear extension, refurbishment works to re-render & re-roof property.  Here again we see a revised application following neighbour, Parish Council, RYDA and Planning Officer comments.  The proposal is now more cohesive although there are reservations over the use of non-traditional metal roofing in the NF Conservation Area

Planning Application Ref: 2581/22/FUL - 92 Court Road.

Following outline planning approval this application is for full planning approval for a new detached 3 bed dwelling & associated access, parking & landscaping within what was the garden of 92 Court Road, therefore the principle for a house on this site has been approved.  However, there are several potential concerns with the detailed design, including:

Loss of several trees.

The size of the proposed house is significantly larger than the outline approval.

Overdevelopment of the site.

Over dominance of adjacent dwelling.

Change of access to the Outline Approval from Middle Leigh to Court Road.

Design and materials do not reflect local characteristics.

What's On?

Ocean Memories at National Marine Aquarium – Plymouth

Wednesday 21^stSeptember – booking essential

For the first time, a special ‘Quiet at the Aquarium’ event is being hosted specifically for older adults and those living with dementia.

The Aquarium will open at 4:30pm for visitors to be able to enjoy the animals, without the usual noise and distractions.

Their Ocean Discovery Rangers will be on hand to help you explore the Ocean, through different senses and help people reminisce about their time with the Ocean.

This event is open to families and care homes, to explore the Aquarium. Show your ticket at the Sardine Bar next door to receive a 10% discount on takeaway orders.

You can find more information, and book tickets here:Quiet at the Aquarium - National Marine Aquarium (national-aquarium.co.uk)

The W.I. will be holding a table top sale on Saturday 8th October 10.30 - 13.00 in the WIC Hall

If you would like to reserve a table@£10 or would like further details please contact Cathy Matthews catherine.matthews2017@outlook.com (872942)