From the Rector

It has been a good year. I know it is not 2009 yet and it may seem a bit early to reflect, but I mean a good year of celebrating the 750th anniversary of the parish. There have been breakfast, lunch, tea, and banquets to help us celebrate; people have worked together to produce the Passion Play, art exhibitions, banners, and books; flowers have been arranged, Christmas trees decorated, the boundaries beaten and concerts sung. It has been wonderful. It has been really good to work with so many different people as they have brought their particular skills and passions to the fore. So, a very big ‘thank you’ to each and every person who has contributed in so many ways. I hope you enjoyed the events as much as I have. But now, what of the future? The Church, if not careful, can be much better at remembering the past than living in the present, and preparing for the future has never been a strong point. And while it is good to have a stable point in our lives, something we know and can rely on in an ever changing world, we still need to acknowledge that the Church is not immune from the changes we all experience. The reality, of course, is that the Church has always changed and developed, whether it is change in service styles, or having women vicars, from being at the centre of everything to having a more optional role. The call on the Church and on each Christian person, is to present the gospel in a fresh and appropriate way to each new generation. For some areas this will mean a ‘Fresh Expression’ church, which is specifically designed for a local area or particular group of people. For others it will be looking at what we do and testing it against criteria of effectiveness and relevance. There may need to be a refocus on core activities – indeed we might need to decide if we even can remember what is ‘core’ to our life together. Change is the only constant in life. Turmoil may follow and force a change in life, or it may be gradual and very welcome. The chaos on financial markets may well lead to some very necessary but painful changes. The best way, though, is to plan ahead and not be forced into difficult decisions through lack of time or thought. The 751st year of the life of St Andrew’s and Holy Trinity will be a time of reflection, planning and change. I would invite your comments on things the church does well and areas where you think it could improve; on how we can be relevant to our changing world or even, where we get it just right. The celebration is not quite over yet, because the Bishop of Exeter is leading our final service on St Andrew’s Day, 30th November when there will be a combined service in St Andrew’s church at 10.30am followed by a shared lunch – everyone is welcome. Nick Law

From Rev Stuart Nixon

Dear Friends, November is a month where we “celebrate” something peculiarly British: Guy Fawkes Night. As the rhyme goes “Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.” This was a dark time in our history and particularly amongst Christians with a Catholic plot to blow up a Protestant King and Parliament. Thankfully things have moved on and now women and men from both Protestant and Catholic communities work alongside each other in England for Jesus’ sake. However it does go to prove that any belief (Christian, Muslim, Darwinism, Hinduism, etc.) when taken by humans beyond what it is supposed to be can become dangerous. In Christianity the central focus of our belief is Jesus and Him as an example of complete and sacrificial love. So it is hard to understand how so many things have been done in his name that have brought fear, pain or death. All we can do is remember the past hurt, ask for forgiveness and learn from our mistakes. Resolving to be more like Jesus day by day. Robert E. Thompson was right when he said, “All true zeal for God is a zeal for love, mercy and goodness.” Yours in the love of Jesus, Stuart

From Rev David Rogers, BAUC

You are one of the most important things God ever created
Light. Water. The Grand Canyon. The blue whale. The circulatory system. The solar system... God has created some pretty amazing things. But You top the list—you and every other person God has breathed life into since time began. God sent His Son to earth to save all people. None of God’s creation survived Adam and Eve’s banishment from God’s perfect garden untouched, but people were the only treasure God deemed worth mobilizing a rescue operation for. The next time you are awestruck by a sunset, gaze in wonder at the intricacy of a wildflower, or find yourself insignificant if you happen to be on holiday in America and gaze down into the Grand Canyon, remember that you are more important to God than any of these. God decided to give us life through the Word of Truth so we might be the most important of all the things He made. (James 1: 18) David Rogers

 

Nature Watch

PLANNING AN AUTUMN OUTING? ...or should that be 'winter'? By the time that you read this, the Tamar Trail Festival will be nearing its conclusion, but the latest issue of the Tamar Valley AONB newsletter 'The Valley' should still be around. Try John Brown's shop or visit the website www.tamarvalley.org.uk The centre-page spread is a map giving an update of the Tamar Valley long-distance Discovery Trail and all the walking and cycling trails that link with it, as well as an outline of the AONB and Mining World Heritage sites. Needless to say, the Bere Peninsula is right there in the centre of the map! There has never been a better time to take advantage of the access to the countryside that this provides, and it’s all within reach on foot or by bike for anyone willing and able to leave the car behind: the train and bus network extends the possibilities. Birdlife gets a special mention inside the back cover: four of the best sites on the estuary are described. Lopwell dam is the only one on 'our patch', though all the others are within reach. Anyone familiar with the area will know that any road or footpath within sight of the river provides potential for seeing both the more common as well as more 'exotic' bird species. There is quite a list of species that it is possible to see in the area but to avoid disappointment, newcomers especially should remember a few points: The state of the tide - at high tide many of the birds disappear into the cover of the reed-beds or feeding in fields away from the river. At low tide the birds are far away, and often out of sight in the deep channels that remain. Halfway between the two is best, especially with an incoming tide. The Weather - cold conditions further north will encourage species to move south. And try not to be too conspicuous! AND A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH A WEASEL! The unexpected encounters are often the most memorable. The following occurred just this morning along a lane not far from home, where I have become quite used to the sight of a weasel dashing from one side to the other not far in front of my bike. On turning the corner today I saw what at first appeared to be a ball of fur rolling towards me. I stopped in time to realise that I was watching the weasel dealing with its latest catch: a young rat at least 50% larger than itself. What I saw was a practice that I had often read about but never witnessed in real life. In order to move a body that was much larger than itself, the weasel had its jaws clamped firmly around the rat’s neck and the rest of its body coiled around the rat's body. By carrying out a series of rapid somersaults it was able to make rapid progress, until it became aware of my presence! It quickly disappeared into the undergrowth, but turned round and poked its head out to look in my direction. This was repeated several times until I decided not to interrupt its lunch any longer - the rat was hopping away in the opposite direction! I hope this description was not too X-rated for Bere Link readers: it’s no more blood-thirsty than many of the wildlife programmes that appear on the TV! Anyway, my sympathies were entirely on the side of the weasel! A similarly unexpected occurrence was related to me by a close friend. While kayaking out on the river his attention was drawn to a pair of ducks in rapid flight closely pursued by a peregrine! This story has a happy ending (for the ducks): they landed on open water and the falcon decided not to risk a soaking. Pigeons are a much easier source of food! So be prepared for the unexpected! Pete Mayston

Parish Council

September meeting
The Parish Plan
What is a Parish Plan? The Government’s November 2000 Rural White Paper stated that Parish Plans should “identify key facilities and services, set out the problems that need to be tackled and demonstrate how distinctive character and features can be preserved”. They should set out a vision for the community in the future and identify the action needed to tackle issues of concern in addition to including everything that is relevant to the people who live and work in the community, from employment needs to playgrounds. For some time, members of the Parish Council have been formulating a Parish Plan and an interim report was given to Council. It was agreed that further investigation needs to take place.
Broadband Access
Council approved broadband access for the Council offices, thus improving the communication capabilities.
Bonfires at Bere Alston allotments
Further to the decisions taken at an earlier Special Council meeting, when two dates were given for special bonfires to be lit, subject to weather conditions, the first bonfire was lit and caused no problems to neighbouring households. However, the second was lit despite adverse weather conditions, which caused severe problems to local residents. Allotment holders have been asked to form an Association, similar to that at Bere Ferrers, with a view to controlling bonfires; until this has been done all bonfires are banned.
Denham Bridge
After the recent closure of Denham Bridge because of damage to it by unsuitable lorries, the Council contacted Devon County Council Highways about new signage, particularly with reference to sat-nav. DCC replied that the current signage was sufficient, but Council will continue to press for more specific action.
Council Meetings
Parishioners are always welcome at Council meetings and there is a question time at the end of meetings for any enquiries from parishioners. Fixed meetings are: Finance and General Purposes on the penultimate Tuesday in the month, usually at 7.30pm; Full Council on the last Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm, unless there is a guest speaker, when the meeting starts at 7pm. For full details of these and other meetings, please see the parish notice boards. Bev Slaughter

GROUPS

Bere Alston Carnival Committee

It is that time of year again - committee members are busy organising the Victorian Evening, which this year is Saturday 6th December. The theme for the window competition is 'Christmas Around The World' and entry forms are being delivered to properties between John Brown's shop and Holy Trinity Church. If you live elsewhere in the village and would like to enter, please contact our secretary, Steve Costello 841353, for an entry form. As long as the judges know where you are, anyone can enter. Table space in the Parish Hall and Fore Street is available to book: contact Ann 840261. Inside tables cost £6, outside £3. We also have a limited number of gazebos at an additional cost of £3 each. All stall holders will be dressed as Victorians this year, and there is a competition for the best dressed, so why not dress up yourselves and join in the fun. We have lots of entertainment organised as well as carol singing and, of course, a visit from Father Christmas. We look forward to seeing you there.

Royal British Legion, Bere Alston Branch

This year marks a very special anniversary. Ninety years ago, on 11th November 1918, was the day Armistice was signed, signifying the end of World War I. It all began on 23rd August 1914 and during that four year period the total human cost to Great Britain and the Empire was 3,049,972 casualties, including 658,705 dead. The suffering did not end there. After the end of the war, times were very hard. Once the celebrations had finished, the harsh realities of life set in. Four million men were discharged from the Armed Forces after the Armistice and over one and a half million had already left the forces through injury and sickness. By 1921 two million people were unemployed: 600,000 of these were ex-Servicemen. Trying to find a job was almost impossible. In those days if you were out of work you had no money. Trying to put food on the table and bring up a family was a very hard thing to do. It was in this year that the British Legion was formed. The Legion’s express purpose was to care for those who had suffered as a result of serving in the Armed Forces in the Great War. Financial help, business loans, vouchers for essentials, for food and coal were given to those in need. Ninety years later we are still caring for ex-Servicemen and women and their dependents. In the past 12 months approximately £700,000 has been given to help these people in Devon. The Royal British Legion now needs your help. The mainstay of the Legion in the past has been ex-Serviceman and women. A lot of the old brigade have now passed on. The Armed Forces have diminished in size and we are no longer getting the number of servicemen/women joining the Legion. Consequently, over the years a large number of branches have closed down all over the country. A lot of the branches which have closed have been in rural areas. We have to stop this decline, otherwise we will not be able to continue to carry on supporting those who need our help. We need you. You can now join your local branch of the Royal British Legion. You no longer need to have served in the Armed Forces. As long as you are 18 year of age and over you will be made welcome. In the local area we have three branches: Bere Alston, Tavistock and Lamerton. Please come along and join us and help us to continue with the work that was started all those years ago. Please give generously on this year’s Poppy Appeal. Our ex-Servicemen and women and their dependents still need your support. Peter York, Bere Alston Branch Chairman

Bowling Club

Ken Bellchambers, chairman - 01822 841 664 Website at: www.geocities.com/berealstonbowlingclub

Bere Alston Gardening Club

The club AGM will be at 7.30pm on November 5th in the Bere Alston Holy Trinity Church Hall and will be followed by a talk from David Bough from the National Trust at Cotehele, who will talk to us about the Cotehele Christmas Garland. Entrance is £1.00 which includes refreshments and a chance to win the evening's raffle prize. There will be plants for sale. Please note that  the 2008/09 membership card contains a misprint. The date for the December talk is Wednesday 3rd December NOT Monday 8th December.  Bill Roxburgh

Bere Ferrers WI

   On 8th October 20 ladies gathered in Bere Ferrers Church Hall for the WI Annual General Meeting. Previous minutes were read and approved. The following were elected: Rosemary Bell president, Margaret Willmott vice president, Madeleine Smith treasurer and committee Caroline Clarke, Kate Harman, Joyce Peden, Jean White. The petition this year is against violence to women and was discussed with members and approved. Carol Meytum, Tavistock and Gulworthy WI Advisor, brightened up proceedings with some light poetry and information about Lady Brunner, the founder of Denman College. The residences were built in l970, which provided a link to the beginnings of the WI. She rounded off her talk with a wonderful child's version of the Bible, which provided much laughter. Afterwards light refreshments and wine were served so you AGAIN missed a good evening out and not watching TV! Kate Harman

The Peninsula Players

The Peninsula Players Rehearsals for Oliver are now well under way following two days of auditions. We have a brilliant cast of both adults and children who are all working hard learning the script and songs, although rehearsals are proving difficult due to the Parish Hall being unavailable. The backstage crew are planning scenery and props and offers of paint and wood etc are already coming in. If you have any emulsion paint, old dustsheets, or anything you think that we could use, we would be very grateful. Either contact our director Steve 841353, or our stage manager Joanne 841457. We also have a real live Londoner giving us some tips on the cockney accent!

Chatterbox

At the time of writing we are midway through the Let’s Cook course. Each week Hope Cottage has been transformed from the café that you all know to a large food preparation area and fantastic aromas have been wafting from the church and café kitchen. Seven parents have participated each week and have created an array of different foods from different mince and chicken recipes to wonderful cakes under the leadership of Pam Law from the High Moorland WI. Parents who have not participated in the course have joined us for coffee & a chat in the large upstairs Sunday school room where a crèche has been run. On average about ten children have been looked after, enabling the parents to enjoy the cookery sessions. On 21st Nov we are holding a taster Belly Dancing session. We will also be running a stall at the Victorian Evening on 6th December – please come and support us –outside! Hopefully the weather will be warm & dry! On 9th Jan we are running a six week certificated first aid course run by Triangle Training. Anyone interested in attending these sessions should contact Julie Overnell (840452 or jjeo@hotmail.co.uk) ASAP to book a place. As usual our thanks go to the United Church for providing the venue free of charge, Tavistock Children’s Centre for providing professional assistance with the crèche and the volunteers who are there every week providing support and help. Thank you. If you are a parent of a baby / toddler and wish to meet other parents, do drop in on a Friday 1-3pm in Hope Cottage Café. We look forward to meeting you. Julie Overnell

Bere Alston Regeneration Partnership

Bere Alston Regeneration Partnership’s inaugural annual Quality Toy Sale Saturday 22nd November 10am-12 in the Parish Hall, Bere Alston Beat the credit crunch and the Christmas rush! Clear out the cupboards in preparation for Santa’s next visit as well as raising some cash to pay for it and being environmentally friendly! Sell your own quality toys (not jumble or junk) £3 per half table, £6 per whole table Charity tables welcome Refreshments available Got a big item? Grand Auction at 11:30am of larger items eg trampoline, furniture, garden toys: £3 per item sold. In aid of the new build at the Parish Hall. To book a table contact Sara on 841417

Bere Community Project

The Project is holding its fifth Beetle Drive. The events continue to gather support and popularity. The Beetle Drive will be at Bere Alston School Sports Hall on Saturday 22nd November, doors open at 6pm. The cost is £6.00 for a team of four or £2.00 for individuals (teams can be put together on the night: we're very friendly!). Light refreshments are available. Beginners are welcome. Many prizes to be won.   Charlotte Hammond

Local Walks

Footpath for November No.87 Bere Ferrers Railway station to Thorn Point

From Bere Ferrers Station turn right out of the station yard, then in a short distance right again. Follow the lane past the houses, then the farm on your left and under the railway bridge. Here footpath 87 begins. Walk straight ahead along a stony track, over the stile at the end into a field. Pass through another gate that can be seen ahead. A wire fence will be on your left; follow it all the way through another gate across the fields and down to the estuary. On reaching the riverbank cross the stile and walk to the left over the marshes, crossing another stile with views of the Tamar and Kit Hill in the distance. This is a very old path leading to Thorn Point, where travellers would ferry across to Cargreen in Cornwall. Cornish produce including flowers and strawberries were ferried to Thorn Point and carried along the path up to Bere Ferrers station, where it was taken by train to markets in London. Doris Chapman

TAVY & TAMAR APPLE GROUP

This is the new name for the group that organises and will continue to organise the Bere Apple Fest. The change reflects the wider group aims, which will include organising training and educational events for the community, including links with young people and schools. In conjunction with the Tamar Valley AONB we will organise pruning, grafting and visits for those interested in apples and the cultivation of the trees. We have also started fundraising for the purchase of our own electric crushing and pressing equipment which will be available to hire by those who have been trained in their use, and have been given a grant of £2,500 from the Tamar Valley AONB for equipment previously on loan. To help us with our plans we ask for your help in completing a questionnaire that will go out to those we have previously had contact with. If you don't receive it perhaps you would give me a ring or send an e mail to briankay1@tiscali.co.uk and one will be sent to you. Thank you. Brian Lamb  841309

Bere Apple Fest

Bere Ferrers Church Hall was filled to overflowing for the popular Apple Fest on the 11th October. It was officially opened by Cllr Neil Burden, chairman of the Tamar Valley AONB. A host of attractions, competitions and displays and expert advice had been organised by Brian Lamb and his team, and stall holders were dressed in traditional rural costumes. There was plenty to interest, amuse and inform the whole family, some coming from as far afield as Exeter and Plymouth. The Apple Cheese apple pressing demonstrations were a popular attraction and visitors who brought their surplus apples were delighted to have them turned into delicious golden juice. Apple identification was in the capable hands of Richard Vulliamy. Numerous old varieties from the Tamar Valley were on display, with fascinating names such as Cat’s Head, Lady’s Fingers, Snell’s Glass Apple and the aromatic Tom Putt—all worthy of a scrumping expedition! Expert grafting and pruning demonstrations were given by Charles Staniland, attracting a great deal of interest. Endsleigh Garden Nursery was present to offer advice on fruit trees, with a range of trees on sale and on display. They are well known for grafting their own stock of apples and cherries indigenous to the Tamar Valley; varieties which were originally rescued from near extinction by James and Mary Evans, and which naturally do particularly well in this area. The children’s competitions proved popular. You could bob for apples, attempt to make the longest apple peel or an apple animal. Homemade apple-based products, cakes, pies, chutney etc were available from the WI stall and one selling old fashioned sweets and toffee apples did a roaring trade. Apple juice from local suppliers was on sale, as were a selection of apples and delicious homemade refreshments, provided by Joyce Peden and her tireless team. The Apple Tarts band—Will Spearing, Peter Key, Rob Smith and Vic Morgan—added to the entertainment. Devon Rural Skills and Orchard Link manned information stalls. This year the apple pie competitions were particularly well supported. Peter Gorton from the Horn of Plenty and Celia Stevens of Buckland Monachorum had a difficult task choosing the winners. Graham Fine judged the Scripture Cake competition, won by Pearl Dawe. Peter Gorton presented the prizes of first and second to a somewhat embarrassed Marion Friend, but a wonderful way to celebrate her birthday. Everyone sang Happy Birthday. Third prize went to Bob Turner, who produced a delicious apple and custard confection, the first pie he had ever made, beating his wife Anne. First prize winners in competitions were Marion Friend, Elliot Overnell, Holly Dunn, Alex Harrison, Sally Mulford, Angela Hooper, Pearl Dawe. Betty Endean

 

CHARITY Concert in aid of the RNLI by members of the Glyndebourne Chorus On the occasion of the 750th Parish Anniversary

Thursday 4th December 7.30pm In St Andrew’s Church, Bere Ferrers

SONGS OF THE SEA

The concert will include Elgar's Sea Pictures, Stanford's Drakes Drum, Sea Fever, Tom Bowling and works by Brahms, Faure, Borodin,,Grainger, Butterworth, Rossini, Hahn, Ireland etc

Tickets £7, available from Margaret Willmott (840380), Bere Alston Pharmacy

RNLI cards and gifts will be on sale at the concert

Contact Ann Parsons (840609) for more details

Bere Community Village Shop and Cafe

 

750 Years of Music

The 750th Parish Anniversary celebrations continued in St Andrew’s Church on the 19th September, when the church was packed to celebrate 750 years of music—a very tall order, which the musicians of the Bere peninsula fulfilled admirably. A magical miscellany of voices reverberated around the 13th century church. The diverse programme was inspiring, opening appropriately with a Gregorian chant by Tutte Voci that the church would certainly have been familiar with in the 1200s. A glorious wide ranging selection of music followed, which included traditional English rounds, ballads such as Greensleeves and Scarborough Fair dating from the Middle Ages, madrigals and pavanes. Baroque music was played on the Welsh triple harp by Tim Hampson and the work of J S Bach was celebrated on the organ by David Crocker. Special guest Tyrone Piper gave a splendid performance of several operatic arias and Ann Parsons and Jane Hamlyn brought a lighter operatic offering with the Cat Duet by Rossini. There were also negro spirituals, piano duets, the work of John Rutter and rollicking sea shanties. The evening ended with In Christ Alone, a modern hymn written in 2001. The finale was led by Tyrone, with performers and audience joining in Thank You for the Music from Mamma Mia, rounding off a splendid evening in a most delightful way. The rector thanked everyone involved: Monica Mitchell for her original idea for a concert with local musicians, Caroline Clark the excellent compere, Steve Jackson for lighting, Margaret Willmott for refreshments, and very special thanks to Ann Parsons, who was responsible for masterminding and fine tuning the concert. The specially talented people of the peninsula who took part were: Tyrone Piper, Tutte Voci, Squandered Youth, Phoenix, Tim Hampson, David Crocker, Jane Hamlyn, Ann Parsons, Lesley Wright, St Andrew’s Singers, The Tavy Tars, Recorders United and the Thursday Night Singers.

Art Exhibition

An art exhibition was held in the north transept of St Andrew's Church in Bere Ferrers as part of the 750th parish anniversary celebrations. Members of Bere Ferrers Art Group staged the exhibition, the theme being 'There is a time for everything' — the church keeping watch as time passes.  The artists had interpreted certain aspects of life such as birth, song, dance, silence, to kill, to sow, uproot, to build and death in individual ways. There were several pastoral scenes relating to work and canvasses portraying school life, growing up, marriage, christening, grandchildren, birds and animals, reflecting the theme and interests of the artists. Media used included pencil, pastel, watercolours and oils. The thought-provoking exhibition drew attention to the realities of life in the 21st century. Betty Endean

Parish Service

There will be a special combined communion service with the Bishop of Exeter to celebrate the parish anniversary on Sunday 30th November at 10.30am in St Andrew’s Church, Bere Ferrers. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate in this special way. The augmented St Andrew’s Singers will be taking part and the Bishop of Exeter will be preaching. A shared lunch will follow to which everyone is also welcome.

New prayer for current financial situation published on CofE website
A new prayer published on the Church of England website aims to help people caught up in the current difficult financial situation. The prayer, at www.cofe.anglican.org/prayers, is one of a range of resources available. More prayers for those worried about debt are already available on the Church's website. The prayers are available in conjunction with the Matter of Life and Debt website pages at www.cofe.anglican.org/debt, which have been updated to include a resource called the Debt Spiral, allowing website visitors to work out if they are one of the families at risk of getting into serious debt due to the credit crunch. They also include common sense advice; a downloadable interactive file for working out a household budget; money-saving tips; helpful case studies; and useful links to organisations that can help those in serious debt.

November Diary