WOODBURY NEWS - JANUARY 2021 HOLIDAY ISSUE - Exton Village Hall (Devon)
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WOODBURY NEWS HOLIDAY ISSUE JANUARY 2021
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JANUARY 2021
EDITORIAL
This issue always goes to print quite early in December, so hopefully you
will receive your copy before Christmas. It seems appropriate here to thank
everyone involved with the monthly production of Woodbury News – the
board of directors, editorial team, contributors, advertisers, printers, readers
and, of course, the distributors - for everything they have done in this
extraordinarily different and difficult year. As I write this on what will
probably be known in the future as V-day, the world’s first vaccination
against Covid-19 was given to a 90-year-old grandmother in Coventry, so
hopefully in 2021 the future will indeed look brighter. Meantime, please
remember ‘Hands, Face, Space’, and abide by the special rules being brought
in to allow a relaxation of restrictions from 23-27 December.
Over the Christmas period we will all be missing the traditional large family
and friends’ groupings, meals out, carol services and concerts, but our
villages have entered into the spirit of Christmas with festive decorations and
Living Advent Calendar window displays, and the traditional colourful lights
on the Victorian lime tree on the village green in Woodbury. Thanks to an
initiative by the Garden Club, there will be solar lights for the tubs in the
Arch, and there are similar lights in the churchyard at Woodbury Salterton –
many thanks to the Parish Council for funding these.
The New Year is usually the time that Woodbury News readers can expect a
visit from their deliverer asking for payment of the annual subscription. But
in 2021 we are suspending payment of the annual subscription until May or
June. As previously announced, the directors decided to waive payments for
six months because of the pandemic disruption over the spring and summer.
It only remains for me, on behalf of the board of directors, to wish everyone a
Happy, Peaceful and Safe Christmas, and to send all good wishes for a
Healthy 2021.
The cover photo, by Judy Green, shows the post box in Cottles Lane and is
the illustration for December in the 2021 Camera Club calendar. It’s not too
late to buy your copy (see page 13).
Woodbury News is a Private Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5263356
Secretary: Karen Squires, Willowfield, Oakhayes Road, Woodbury EX5 1JT. 233299
Registered Office: Willowfield, Oakhayes Road, Woodbury EX5 1JT. Tel: 233299
Chairman: Jeremy Boyden, Rosemary, Broadway, Woodbury EX5 1NR. Tel: 233072
Editor: Sue Bury, Mayflower Cottage, 37 Greenway, Woodbury EX5 1LU. Tel: 233753
Deputy Editor: Val Arndt, Castlehaye, Castle Lane, Woodbury. Tel: 233175
Subscriptions: Jeremy Boyden, Rosemary, Broadway, Woodbury EX5 1NR. Tel: 233072
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ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH, WOODBURY
Vicar: Reverend Bill Lemmey 01395 232161
Email: revbillwhitecross@gmail.com
Administrator: Jill Dupain dupain@hotmail.co.uk
The following arrangements are provisional and subject to any change in
government regulations.
SPECIAL SERVICES OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD
Sadly, due to current restrictions and health and safety considerations, there
will be no Midnight Mass in St Swithun’s this year.
CHRISTMAS EVE Christmas Communion at 18.30.
CHRISTMAS DAY Holy Communion at 11.15.
Wednesday 6 January, Epiphany, Mission Community Evensong at 18.30.
Sunday 31 January, Candlemas, Mission Community Service, time and
venues for both of these services to be advised.
SUNDAY SERVICES at Woodbury and Exton
20 December, Christmas Festival of Readings & Music at Woodbury 18.30.
27 December, Holy Communion at Clyst St George 09.30.
3 January, Holy Communion at 11.15. Evening Worship at Exton 18.30.
10 January, Holy Communion at Exton, 09.30.
17 January, Evensong at Woodbury, 18.30.
24 January, Special Ecumenical Service at Woodbury, 09.30.
31 January, Mission Community Service, time and venue to be advised.
There will be an online Zoom service on Sunday 10 January and a
Children’s Zoom service on 24 January at 11.30. To obtain a link for this,
please email dupain@hotmail.co.uk.
For details of services throughout the Mission Community and those where
details are yet to be arranged, please see the church noticeboards and the MC
website http://whitecrosschurches.org.uk.
Further information will be available in the monthly Digest. To receive this
by email, please send your email address to st.swithuns.digest @gmail.com.
FLOODLIGHTING ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH
28 December - From Katie Clinton. “In memory of Mum, Liz Haynes, the
first anniversary of losing her, with much love.”
For your special event, contact Mike Jeans on 01395 232544. Floodlight
dedications are displayed on the church noticeboard at the lych gate, and
normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
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BOOK OF MEMORIES
Hospiscare (Budleigh Salterton and District) have compiled a book of
memories with the names of local people who have died over the past two
years. There is a copy in St Swithun’s Church for anyone to view.
The church is currently open on Wednesday mornings from 10.00 - 13.00,
and for advertised services. Sue Hudson
FoSS (FRIENDS OF ST SWITHUN’S)
Normally FoSS is gearing up for the New Year and its AGM and supper
concert. However, 2020 has been a very different year and the AGM,
normally held at the end of January, is postponed and will hopefully be held
in the spring when we are allowed to return to a degree of normality.
Pat Browne
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
We are not listing any of the anticipated forthcoming
events this month, and we will re-consider this decision
for future editions of Woodbury News.
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ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
WOODBURY SURGERY
Woodbury Surgery will be closed all day on the following dates:
Friday 25 December Saturday 26 December
Sunday 27 December Monday 28 December
Friday 1 January 2021
If patients need medical attention during this time they should contact 111 or
999 if it is an emergency.
We will remain open throughout the rest of December with our telephone
lines operating between 08.00 and 18.00 Monday - Friday.
Our dispensary will continue to be open for prescription collections between
13.00 and 18.00 Monday - Friday.
From everyone here at Woodbury Surgery, we would like to wish you all a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
LONDIS STORE AND POST OFFICE, WOODBURY
Normal opening hours
Shop - Monday to Friday: 07.30 to 18.30; Saturday: 09.00 to 18.30;
Sunday: 09.00 to 14.00.
Post Office Counter - Monday to Friday: 09.00 to 15.00 (though during
Christmas and New Year timing may be different).
Opening hours for the shop during Christmas and the New Year
Friday 25 December, Christmas Day, closed.
From Saturday 26 to Monday 28 December, 09.00 to 14.00.
From Tuesday 29 to Thursday 31 December, normal hours.
Friday 1 January, 09.00-14.00.
Then normal opening hours from Saturday 2 January until 17 January.
Advance warning:
From Monday 18 January for two to three weeks, there will be a total refit of
the shop. So that the shop fitters can work safely during this time, there will
be shorter opening hours and at times the shop will be closed.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause to our loyal customers.
RECYCLING (Green bins and food caddies)
AND LANDFILL WASTE COLLECTIONS
Please note the following amendments to recycling and waste collections
over the Christmas and New Year period:
Usual date Revised date
Friday 25 December Tuesday 29 December (plus landfill)
Friday 1 January Tuesday 5 January
Friday 8 January Monday 11 January
Friday 15 January Saturday 16 January (plus landfill)
Then as normal from Fri 22 January.
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WOODBURY GARDEN CLUB
Does Spring seem a long way off?
Try taking a stroll round the village
to enjoy other people’s colourful or
scented winter shrubs and you
might just spot some early signs of
spring! Winter jasmine and
mahonia, which started flowering
in November, should still be
around and look out for coronilla –
it’s another evergreen shrub with
cheerful yellow flowers and you
should be able to spot some in
gardens in Fulford Way and on the
corner of Bonfire Lane. On
Parsonage Way there is an acacia
tree, commonly known as mimosa
or blue gum, with its fluffy yellow
flowers, winter-flowering cherries
can be seen around, and the lovely
camellias will be showing their
faces too. The grey-green noses of
snowdrops will be pushing through
the cold earth and other bulbs will Coronilla - a plant that brightens up the
not be far behind. winter because it flowers from December
Look around to see what could through to mid spring.
work in your own garden for next Some varieties are scented.
winter – the red, orange or yellow
stems of dogwood, for example, the
white bark of silver birches or the
cinnamon-coloured bark of some
acers or cherries. Now is a good time
to plant bare-root trees, and shrubs of
winter interest are also on sale in the
garden centres.
You may still join the mailing list for
our monthly newsletter - free, no-
obligation!
Happy New Gardening Year from
Woodbury Garden Club.
Debby Mullier
Mahonia
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WOODBURY C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL
It has been an unusual year to take over as Head of School and not one that
we all had planned for! However, as a team we have achieved so much and
as a community feel that we have united together. We hope that 2021 brings
much joy, happiness, love and laughter to us all and we are looking forward
to better times ahead.
Living Advent Window
We hope you managed
to view the artwork
created for the Living
Advent Window. The
project was led by Mrs
Vernon, with children
across the school
contributing, working
hard, painting, cutting
and sticking to create the
final beautiful nativity scene.
Beech Class Update The children in Beech Class have enjoyed their first
term in school. It is lovely to see them running through the gate in the
morning, happily saying goodbye to their parents as they skip into class.
They have settled so well and are such lovely members of our school. They
enjoy all their learning and have already made super progress by building on
the learning they have previously undertaken at nursery and at home.
Whether it be in the mud kitchen, jungle den, the water tray, or our range of
other learning areas, they always have such full and busy days. The children
have been working very hard on their fine motor skills and phonics, as well
as their counting, ordering, problem solving and reading. What an eventful
first term at school they have had!
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Maple Class Update
It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been an entire term since we returned
to school. It has been a brilliant first term of the year in Maple Class with
lots of fantastic learning taking place.
Our topic for the first half term was Inside Out. We learnt all about what
happens inside our body, particularly focussing on the digestive system
and how we can help keep ourselves healthy. Our topic learning kicked
off in style, with the children creating their own models of the digestive
system and experiencing first-hand what happens to the food we eat – as
you can see, things got a bit messy. We also spent some time learning all
about how we move and made our own model skeletons.
cont’d….
10 WOODBURY C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL cont’d/... In preparation for our Roman Invasion topic, the children researched Ancient Roman mosaics before designing and creating their own mosaic tile representing something important to them using clay and painted beans. Here are a couple of examples of the wonderful work created. Nativity and Carol Service This year we were unable to hold our traditional Nativity and Carol Services. However, we improvised and were able to do ‘bubble recordings’ to produce a Nativity – called It’s a Baby – aptly named, as our Year One teacher Mrs Harwood, who led on this, has just left on maternity leave. The children did a fantastic job and each clip has been put together to make a wonderful 20-minute performance, which parents have had an opportunity to view online. Similarly, the KS2 children worked together in their bubbles to perform readings, outdoor singing and a recital of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Again, this has been expertly been put together by IT whizzes and sent out to parents. These performances will be something that they can keep for years to come.
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Animal Ark
Our animal ark is growing as we now
have two eight-week-old guinea pigs.
They are currently living with Miss Pyle
who is ‘training them to enjoy being
picked up and cuddled’; they will be in
school in January. Our next step is to
get rabbits and chickens. Sully has been
busy visiting again this month and likes
spending the day curled up on the comfy
seat near the radiator in the library. He
loves the attention the children give him
and visits most of the classrooms
through the day, even popping upstairs
to the staffroom… he is yet to discover Sully in the Library
the hamsters…
Wishing you all a happy, prosperous and peaceful 2021.
Gillian Pyle, Head of School
WOODBURY NEWS NEEDS YOU!
Many community organisations have to rely on only a small team of
enthusiastic volunteers to keep afloat. Fortunately, Woodbury News has a
large community-wide web of volunteers who ensure it is posted through
your door every month. We have nearly 40 deliverers and a management
board of eight directors who keep things ticking over, including editor Sue
Bury and Karen Squires who puts all the pages together. We are also
fortunate to have so many long-term advertisers who realise how important
it is to be part of our community.
As reported last month, this year has seen the retirements of four of our
directors after years of service. This means we need to look for new talent in
the community - people who feel they could really help us move forward
into the, hopefully, post-Covid world.
If any reader now finds they have a little free time to get involved with one
of the country's longest running community magazines, please get in touch
with me. Jeremy Boyden, Chairman
(email: newswoodbury@gmail.com or ring 01395 233072)
The Woodbury News attempts to represent a variety of views within the
community, but does not accept responsibility for anything but Editorial
comment. While it may publish unacknowledged material, nothing is
included unless the Editor knows the name and address of the author(s).12
WOODBURY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
In spite of being in lockdown, the
stalwart ladies of Woodbury WI
have been busy crafting hand-
made decorations for the WI
Christmas tree on the Green Spot.
In previous years we have held
jolly workshops where, sustained
by tea and cake, WI members
have produced colourful
decorations for the tree; last year
it was woollen pompoms.
The decorated tree on the Green Spot.
If you walk past this year’s tree you
will see a colourful medley of hand-
made decorations brightening up the
Green Spot - a reminder that,
although we may not be meeting in
person, we are still a community of
Making pompoms in 2019. women committed to supporting our
village in whatever way we can.
WOODBURY NEWS CLOSING DATES
2021
19 JANUARY. 23 FEBRUARY. 16 MARCH.
20 APRIL. 18 MAY. 15 JUNE.
ALL MATERIAL FOR THE MAGAZINE SHOULD BE SENT
TO KAREN SQUIRES, WILLOWFIELD, OAKHAYES ROAD
by 19.00 on the closing date, with a name and telephone number,
or email to karensquires100@gmail.com13
On 4 December many WI members lined the route taken by the funeral
cortège for WI member, Betty Woodruff, as it drove slowly through the
village, pausing at particular areas associated with Betty’s life in the village.
Members of Christ Church stood by their church, RBL members waited near
Long Meadow, and other people stood outside the Community Centre where
Betty had links.
Many WI friends waited by the WI bench at the Green Spot next to the
newly decorated Christmas tree, where last year Betty had made colourful
pompoms for that tree. Many people were pleased to demonstrate their
affection for Betty in this way, as the funeral service in St Swithun's was
limited to family members only .
Betty was a very active and committed
member of the WI in spite of increasingly
limited mobility. She enjoyed the
fellowship of the monthly meetings, craft
sessions and the Friday coffee mornings;
she was also a dedicated Book Group
member, making detailed notes about the
chosen book and expressing her thoughts
about it. Members loved her stories about
her younger days, her childhood and her
life in Wales. She always had a tale to tell
and she will be much missed when WI
activities resume.
In affectionate tribute to our friend Betty,
the WI supplied the flowers that decorated
the church for the funeral and President Lin
Milsom-Ashby (at the service as Church
Warden) read out moving memories of Betty sent by fellow members. We
used to tease Betty and say that she was our youngest member at 23 (she had
a leap year birthday) and our oldest at 92! We will miss her hugely.
Sending all our members, former and present, best wishes for a Happy
Christmas and a more hopeful
New Year.
Lin Milsom-Ashby, President
CAMERA CLUB CALENDAR
The Woodbury Camera Club
calendar 2021 is still available price
£6. It can be purchased from Rook
Pie, Sue Hudson (01395 232203) or
from members of the club.
Sue Hudson14
WOODBURY AND DISTRICT ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
It is with very great sadness that I have to report the passing of Betty
Woodruff, a member of our branch, and one of the last veterans with
memories of the Second World War — a truly lovely and interesting lady.
Ralph Cox, Devon County Standard Bearer, was able to come and parade the
Woodbury and District RBL Standard, and dip it as the hearse passed by at
the bottom of Long Park. The weather was dry and cold with a little sun.
We were outside due to the coronavirus and unable to attend the church
service in St Swithun’s.
The Poppy Appeal has been so very generously supported and donations are
still coming in. To date, Woodbury and District has raised £2,129.15.
Thank you all for your generosity.
The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Concert Band were hoping to play
Christmas music on 19 December - but sadly this has had to be cancelled.
Wishing you all a safe and peaceful Christmas and a Healthy New Year.
Sandra Huish
WOODBURY TENNIS CLUB
The Tennis Club is back operating again. Because we are under Tier 2
regulations all play is possible. As we have to obey the rule of six, club
sessions are limited to twelve players (six to a court). This procedure will
continue until restrictions are lifted.
The club AGM will take place on Wednesday 3 February at 19.30,
probably via Zoom. The committee proposes that subscriptions remain
unchanged, but those members who were unable to have full use of the
courts this year will be entitled to a reduction. The club hopes that normal
play will be permitted in the summer and that we should be able to field
three league teams. The junior coaching programme, with coach John
Wingate, should be able to proceed during the summer term. Pat Browne15
WOODBURY SALTERTON NEWS
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
Festive Windows
This year people were invited to
decorate their windows to
brighten the village and bring
some festive cheer. The theme
was Joy. It was organised by
Debbie Jung on behalf of the
PCC and entrants were invited
to make a donation to church
funds. Entries could go up
during December and the PCC
will allocate a prize for the best
entry after 19 December.
Here are some photos of some
of the early entrants.
A Tree of Light
Our thanks to the Parish
Council for their kind
donation of Christmas lights
to brighten the village.
It was decided to use the
lights on one of the yew
trees in the churchyard
because that is fairly central
to the village, so that as
many people as possible
could enjoy them.16 WOODBURY SALTERTON NEWS cont’d/… We have a Village Shop again! The Digger’s Rest has opened a shop selling bread, milk, groceries, fruit and vegetables etc. This is a valuable resource for the village and we encourage everyone to support it. The last shop in the village closed 22 years ago. An old horse chestnut tree on The Plantation was cut down on 8 December. There had still been some life in the top of the tree and it had flowered in the spring, but the photos show it had rotted away in the centre of the trunk.
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THE WOODBURY SALTERTON DUMBUTU LINK
"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go.
They merely determine where you start." Nido Qubein
2020 was the year that we
celebrated 30 years of a
successful cultural and
development link with
Dumbutu village in The
Gambia, West Africa. We
celebrated in our hearts,
rather than on the village
green as we had hoped. In
this challenging year, the
long-standing link between
our two communities has
never been more important.
In December, our committee
decided to hold the first ever virtual Annual General Meeting, and we
reviewed the events and progress of the past years whilst making plans for
how we can best serve our friends in The Gambia.
Families, communities and entire countries have been brought to their knees
by this virus, and its social and economic impact will continue to be felt for
years to come. While new and active cases in The Gambia have steadily
declined since a peak in August, the loss of trade and tourism income will
undo much of the positive progress that has been made since the ousting of
former President Yahya Jammeh in 2017.
Following government regulations,
classrooms had to close their doors for
seven months starting from April of this
year. It is a great shame that the children of
Dumbutu have missed out on so much
education, but it has been reported to us that
a thorough protocol of masks, handwashing
and temperature checks has allowed the
school to function safely since its doors
reopened in November 2020.
Although plans are in place to provide
additional lessons for students to make up for lost time, social distancing
regulations have halved class sizes - effectively doubling teachers’ working
hours - and made these make-up classes unlikely to take place.
Cont’d/...18 THE WOODBURY SALTERTON DUMBUTU LINK cont’d/... Schools in The Gambia need to start from Term 1 and social distancing policies divide classes into two daily shifts. As such, school safety and operation policies are under review by the government. The Link’s Contribution A large and varied selection of English books has been sent to the village which are now safely in the hands of the school, and the education sponsorships have been received by the bank in The Gambia’s capital, Banjul. We are looking to invest further in the women’s vegetable allotment to further support agricultural development. As the water table drops underneath The Gambia, the soil becomes more saline which dehydrates crops. Rice is harder to grow and the villagers rely more and more on their vegetable crops. With the planting season approaching, we are hoping to fund support measures including repairs to the fences to protect from wildlife damage. In addition, we are monitoring any emerging requirements, and hope to invest in more agriculture and education development initiatives in the coming months. Departures and New Members I would like to take a moment to thank Leo, Ann and Gill, who have recently left the Link after years of dedicated support and selfless effort. Now, we are looking for new members to join the Link. The available roles offer the opportunity to further support our friends in The Gambia and are critical to the future of the Link. If you are interested in helping the cause, please email our secretary Brenda at mrandle200@gmail.com. With more exciting projects in the future - made all the more important as we move past 2020 - I encourage anyone who would like a more active role in the charity to step up and get involved. There are many ways to help out. For example, if you have experience with Excel, you can join in and help with our accounting. Or if you have some design experience, you can help put together our notices and announcements. Even if you have no background in supporting a charity, we would be grateful to have new supporters and committee members to attend meetings, share ideas and contribute to discussions. To those of you who have been pitching in and supporting our operations – thank you! As ever, we are seeking sponsors to support the education of our friends in Dumbutu. An annual sponsorship is typically just £25 a year. Alternatively, quarterly, monthly, or even one-off donations can make a real, meaningful impact in someone’s life. If you have someone in your life who is impossible to buy gifts for, you could always donate in their name instead!
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Glasses contributions
We are also looking to set up a shipment of reading glasses to the village –
any old sets you have in your cupboard would be great. Or if you would like
to purchase a handful of pairs from your local chemist for different strengths
and ages, these would be greatly appreciated. We ask that you consider
donating a protective case and cloth with each pair so their new owners can
treasure the life changing gift for longer in the harsh environment. We are
grateful for all the love and support that has been extended to the villagers in
Dumbutu, who send you all their good wishes.
May 2021 bring you good fortune and health. Gemma Bennett
Chair of the Woodbury Salterton Dumbutu Link gemjoyben@hotmail.com
EXTON WALKERS’ NEW YEAR VISIT TO
THE MARSHES OF EXMINSTER
by Brian Wood
(From their records, edited a little to disguise persons.
We took advantage of the Topsham Ferry that ran regularly at the time.)
The first day of a year of yore, We dodged around to keep feet dry.
Of Exton walkers, half a score But soon, relieved, we breathed a sigh
Set out to cross the mighty Exe, As harder ground came to prevail,
Steering in between the wrecks When crossing over road and rail
Of glorious ships, all now long gone, To Exminster. A charming spot -
Determined they would not add one. On that we all agreed. God wot.
Some walkers were a trifle nervy On by the Swan’s Nest public house.
That on this voyage we might get There’s nothing here to raise a grouse.
scurvy, But marsh birds, just their cup of tea,
Or fall beneath tempestuous waves Their sponsors, the RSPB.
To early end in watery graves. And past the Turf, for winter shut,
Not used to boats, they put too high Whereby our chance completely cut,
The dangers that the sullen sky To get outside an early quaff.
And minor wintry gales forbode. Too big to cry, too sad to laugh.
And soon with ease across we rowed.
The towpath then gave nice perspective
The other side, a coffee cup Of the east bank. In mood reflective,
Was there to keep our spirits up, We gazed upon this panorama,
Before a trek onward up North, Quietly. We’re not for drama.
Whence from the motorway came forth The ferryman, soon on his way,
A traffic din of constant whooshes, Said “Fares for charity today”.
Soon slightly muffled by some bushes. So with a righteous sensation
The flat terrain today seemed good, We made a reasonable donation.
Though recent rain created mud. Envoi
At Passage House, two steps away,
Convivial lunch rounds off our day.20
EXTON NEWS
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH EXTON
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES
25 December, Christmas Day 09.30 Family Holy Communion.
SUNDAY SERVICES
3 January, Epiphany - Evening Service, 18.30.
10 January, Baptism of Christ - Holy Communion, 09.30.
Please look at the church noticeboard for confirmation of all services.
CHRISTMAS FOOD BANK CONTRIBUTIONS
We would like to thank everyone in Exton village who so generously
donated food and Christmas treats for the Exmouth Community Larder,
particularly this year as there are so many more families needing help. You
will have brought much needed cheer and hope to many people.
Joe Roderick has now taken the last of your donations to Exmouth to be
distributed in time for Christmas.
A BRIEF JOURNEY THROUGH THE HISTORY OF EXTON
THE OLD NURSERIES, EXTON
(PART 2)
Until the Beeching cuts we regularly sent boxes of carnations by train to
Barnstaple and Sidmouth, but by then we had a van, so started to deliver to
several florists in Exeter. Many of our customers collected their flowers
from the nursery, but the bulk, of course, was sold at the shop in Exmouth.
We were still serving some of our long-standing customers up to the time we
closed. We were also sending flowers to Manchester market at least twice a
week. Whilst talking to a florist from Manchester at an Interflora
conference, he told me he couldn’t afford our carnations as they always sold
at prices too high for his trade to warrant them.
The original
shop in
The Strand
Exmouth21
Mum had run the shop since 1936 and in February 1943 Exmouth was badly
bombed. It was a Friday lunch time and the shop was flattened. In Exmouth
there were 19 casualties. Thankfully Mum sensed that there was something
wrong when she heard gunfire; the train at the station had been hit. Luckily
Mum had moved all her staff to the back of the shop, which was the dairy
with a separate entrance into a side street. But she was very anxious because
my young sister Phyllis had not called into the shop as usual on her way
home from school in Exmouth to Exton. She had that day gone straight to
the station and was on the train that had been hit. Luckily no-one on the
train was hurt, having been told to lie flat on the floor. Local children had
school in the morning and the evacuees in the afternoon. Mum rang home to
see if Phyllis was safe and to ask Dad to find a new shop. The next day the
shop opened in Millers Garage, now the indoor market, and by Monday they
had obtained a lease on an empty butcher’s shop in Rolle Street. Just like
the Windmill Theatre in London, we never closed. It would take more than
Hitler to keep my mother down. Strangely, the shop was at 16 Rolle Street
and the previous one had been 16 The Strand.
As well as being good at growing plants, Dad was a self-taught florist.
When I left school in 1947, having been trained by him, I continued in his
footsteps and eventually took over. Like my Dad and me, my brother Bill
also came into the business straight from school.
How times have changed: my girls all went on day release courses at
Plymouth College to gain their certificates.
It was certainly easier by the time I finished. No more mossing wire frames
and wiring every flower; oasis changed all that and it was a much cleaner
and user-friendly job. No more chilblains!
Like everywhere else there
were many changes over the
years, such as having a
horse and cart and
employing about six staff.
By the time we had finished
we had two vans, a tractor
and only three staff at the
nurseries. There were of
course more at the shop.
The boiler did not need
stoking late at night and
most of the watering was
done by automatic
The Florist Shop in Rolle Street irrigation. Sterilising the soil
was also done from the
main boiler. cont’d/...22
THE OLD NURSERIES, EXTON (PART 2) cont’d/...
Up until my Dad died aged 84, he
was very much involved in the
nurseries, still sowing cyclamen
seeds on Christmas morning to start
flowering the following July, as
well as keeping an eye on me at the
shop.
My brother Bill needed a hip
replacement in1987 and we couldn't
just shut down when dealing with
growing things. So he and I
decided, with Mum’s agreement,
that we should sell the shop so that I
could spend my time working at the Eileen’s retirement from the florist
nurseries. They closed at Christmas shop in Rolle Street 1987
1989, as it would not have been
viable without the family working 24/7, nor was it suitable to sell as a going
concern. Eileen Pratt
ROUND AND ABOUT
WELCOME
A warm welcome to George, Samantha and their puppy Jasper, who have
moved to Woodbury Salterton from Lympstone.
Several new families have moved into Town Lane in the last few months.
We would like to welcome them and hope that they will be very happy
living in Woodbury:
8 Pollybrook: Angela Lewis and Keir Sutton and their little girls
Loretta and Yolanda. (The previous owners, Belinda and Leigh Russell,
have moved to Budleigh).
Tresalmer: Kay and Mike Rocks. They are pleased to be near their
daughter at Exton.
Oaklea: Daniela and Nigel Wood, who moved from New Zealand
two years ago.
Langley House: Lesley and Paul Chudleigh. They previously lived in
Exeter. Lesley enjoys playing tennis.
CHRISTMAS WISHES
Anna and Paul Crafer wish all our friends in the village a
Happy Christmas and a wonderful 2021 full of health and
freedom. We will be making a donation to RD&E Charity.23
DEATH
Betty Woodruff Betty was born in Leyton, London, on 29 February 1928
(a leap year baby) and lived in London during her childhood, teenage and
young adult years along with her younger brother. Betty lived through the
Second World War in London and was (for a while) evacuated to
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. As part of the war effort, Betty started
work at a young age at Halex Plastics, a firm that carried out government
work throughout the war years.
Betty was a Boys’ Brigade team leader and an active member of her local
church - in fact, she maintained a religious connection wherever she lived.
Betty married Ronald Willisson on 23 January 1954, and had one daughter
Carol, followed by grandson Stephen, granddaughter Natalie, three step-
grandsons and five great-step-grandchildren.
Betty was a widow for many years and filled her days being a WRVS
canteen lady at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and also helping
with the local clothes bank distribution. Betty eventually found somebody
else to share her life and his name was John Woodruff. They lived in South
Wales for 12 years, but following John's sudden death, Betty moved to
Woodbury at the grand age of 80 to be close to her daughter and family.
As throughout all her life, Betty joined the many clubs and groups in
Woodbury, namely WI, RBL, Gardening Club, History Club, Woodbury
Community Club and Centre, Christ Church, and she attended events held at
St Swithun’s.
Betty was treated to being elevated to celebrity status on VE Day this year
when her neighbours decorated her garden, and a small child in the
neighbourhood made her a special poster.
Her daughter Carol would like to extend a huge thankyou to all those at the
many clubs that Betty joined who made her feel so welcomed and accepted
within the Woodbury community during these last 12 years. Carol also
offers her heartfelt gratitude for the warmth that she has felt from the
Woodbury community, following her mother's passing. Carol Royal
WOODBURY SALTERTON HAS A
SHOP IN A PUB!
Many thanks to Dan and Arwen of the
Digger’s Rest for providing yet another
amenity for the village.
Editor’s Note : In order to maximise submitted copy and photographs into
Woodbury News, it may be necessary to reduce the size of some items.
The Editorial team will attempt to do this as carefully as possible.24
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
From the editor: I was thrilled to have heard a recent piece of Christmas
music sent to me by a friend. When I discovered its source was in Woodbury
village, I contacted our local Coldrick family and asked for some more
information. Thank you, Lizzie, for the following piece and the wonderful
music:
‘Although I'm pursuing a career in
Natural Sciences, music has always been
a large part of my life. I was a chorister
for five years in Exeter Cathedral Choir,
and I've been a member of Isca Voices
since my choristership ended. When
lockdown happened in March this year,
all live music performances were no
longer possible and concerts had to be
cancelled. In their place, I started to
become involved in creating virtual
performances where each performer
records their part individually and they
are then combined using music
technology. My brother (who was also a
chorister in Exeter Cathedral Choir) and
I teamed up with Oscar Gibbons
(another former chorister who lives in
Woodbury!) to arrange, compose, record, edit and produce music videos that
we posted to YouTube throughout lockdown and over the summer holidays.
You can see these videos on Oscar's YouTube channel at https://
www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ6VRQoVAyixJKKSrzXrUlg.
The music video of We Wish You A Merry Christmas was created by Oscar
and me as part of The Maynard School's series of Christmas musical
celebrations. I'm honoured that the Lord Mayor of Exeter has chosen it to be
part of his Christmas speech and charity appeal this year!’ Lizzie Coldrick
The Coldrick and Gibbons children have made a fundraising music
video that was released on 9 December.
It is raising money for the Global's Make Some Noise appeal, which
supports local charities helping people cope with the effects of
coronavirus on their lives and communities. The words for the carol
were written especially to convey peace and hope at the end of this
pandemic year. The music video can be found at https://youtube/
EzB2TT9OkQk and the fundraising page for donations is at https://
makesomenoise.enthuse.com/pf/carol-of-the-bells-2020.25
19TH CENTURY NEWSPAPER REPORTS
In these rather grim times a little bit of levity from old newspapers
In 1817 the Exeter Flying Post reported that ‘a person residing at Guernsey,
who has made several trips across the channel of late, in a vessel from that
island, always carried his bedstead ashore on his arrival, till suspicion was
excited that this piece of furniture was not a mere sleeping partner. On its
way to the ship from Stonehouse (Plymouth) last week it was seized, and
upon examination, found to contain lace, stockings shawls etc to the amount
of £300, the posts and legs being hollowed out for their reception. On the
following day the ship also was seized. This bedstead, it is said, has often
been landed at Portsmouth, Weymouth, Torbay, and Plymouth etc – the
owner pretending to travel for his health.’
In 1818 James Richards (aged 20) a cooper of Exeter, was married to Miss
Stone, a blooming damsel (aged 72) at St Olaves in Exeter. The tender bride
was conveyed to the church in a sedan chair, the better to conceal her maiden
blushes from the prying eyes of curiosity.
NB: there is no record as to how long she survived her marriage or what she
was worth.
In 1833 Woolmers Exeter newspaper reported that on a Sunday morning in
July ‘a monkey belonging to a medical gentleman from this City, broke
loose, and after wandering about for a short time, rambled into the Cathedral
during the 7 o’clock morning service. The liberated quadruped got behind
the altar, and pushed his dingy head through the carved work in sight of the
Clerk, when the terrified man, supposing it to be a visit from some evil spirit,
ejaculated with trembling gravity: “In the name of the Lord why dost thou
trouble us?”
The brute scampered off
leaving the clerk and the
congregation in a state of
considerable alarm, and
afterwards seated himself
behind the monument of
General Simcoe, with his
paws encircling the neck of
the statue of the General.
The monkey then found its
way into St Sidwells, where
he was surrounded by a party
of young ‘Grecians’, and
captured, but he contrived
again to make his escape, Memorial to General Simcoe
cont’d/...26 19TH CENTURY NEWSPAPER REPORTS cont’d/... and paid a visit to the village of Whipton, from whence he travelled the next morning to the Cavalry Barracks. Having gratified his curiosity by taking a peep at the evolution of the gallant first Dragoons, he made his exit, and has not since been heard of.’ NB: ‘Grecians’ was the name applied to the people of St Sidwells. In December 1840 Woolmers Exeter newspaper published a letter about the stamps for the new Penny Post. ‘Adhesive Stamps: It cannot be too generally known that the very numerous cases of cancer which have lately prevailed are attributed by the faculty and scientific men, to moistening the adhesive postage stamps with the tongue or lips. A little new milk is much preferable, and also causes them to stick faster particularly on glazed and smooth letter paper. This would seem to be another reason for having nothing to do with these adhesive stamps.’ NB: Evidently the gum used on the first stamps of Great Britain was invented in 1837 by Rowland Hill. It was called cement and was made from a mixture of potato starch, wheat starch and acacia gum. In 1865 a reporter for the Exeter Flying Post described Charles Hawkins, a labourer from Woodbury, as making himself ‘too jovial at Easter and whilst he was “serpenting” home he staggered against a policeman who brought him to book for it – this pleasantry cost poor Hawkins 14s 6d.’ Sir Roland Hill NB: Drunkenness (and the results of it) was one of the commonest misdemeanours in Woodbury according to the magistrates, and was frequently reported in the newspapers. At this period Woodbury had two pubs, the White Hart and the Globe, as well as a beer house in part of the Beals cottages; Exton had a cider house in a former farmhouse which, by 1870, had a licence and was known as The Railway Inn (later Puffing Billy); Woodbury Salterton had a cider house converted from a farmhouse which became known as the Salterton Arms; there were also licensed premises in Gulliford and Ebford. Plenty of establishments in the parish to over-indulge! Gill Selley
27
What a year we have had so far! During the first lockdown, back in March,
wildlife rescue centres were not allowed to utilise the army of volunteers
who normally look after the sick animals in their care. Vets could only offer
a skeleton service and did not have enough capacity to take wild animals.
During the spring and early summer, many people were spending more time
outdoors and started to find sick and injured animals needing help. We had
calls from people on a daily basis asking where to take sick animals and we
had nowhere to send them. It was a very distressing time and we decided the
only thing to do was to take as many of the animals ourselves. We sought
advice from vets and rescuers that specialise in wildlife and soon had a team
of people helping us by giving consultations via Zoom. Before long we had
a large collection of animals that were being referred to us by animal
sanctuaries and vets. We had some fantastic results over the last few months.
We have rescued and treated many different species, including badgers, bats,
swans, hedgehogs, birds and mice. It soon became clear we needed
specialised equipment and we held an appeal that raised the funding to
enable us to purchase an incubator and to pay for drugs.
As the number of animals coming into our care continued to grow, we
decided to create a “Nightingale Wildlife Hospital”. We started an appeal to
raise the £1,000 needed to purchase the holding pens and scientific
equipment we desperately needed.
New
holding
pens
and the
incubator
Cont’d/...28
WILD WOODBURY cont’d/…
We were fortunate to receive a very generous donation from the Woodbury
Living Advent Calendar and the Woodbury coffee morning organisers. This
has enabled us to complete the first phase of the work. We are now able to
treat and rehabilitate animals in Woodbury rather than putting them through
the trauma of transport to rescue centres in other areas. The appeal is still
ongoing.
Hand feeding for the sparrow
Minnie the woodmouse
Walter the pigeon One of our sick hoglets
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who made donations and
supported us during the year, including all our foster carers without whose
help we could not have been so successful.
If you would like to make a contribution towards our appeal, please contact
us directly or go to our “GoFundMe” Wild-Woodbury Animal Treatment
Centre appeal at https://gf.me/u/yki8t5.29
If you have any questions please get in touch with us at info@wild-
woodbury.org or call Tony Bennett on 07971 082384.
Please join our Facebook group: Wild-Woodbury and check out our website
http://www.wild-woodbury.org to find out more about what we are doing to
help our local wildlife. Tony Bennett Tel: 07971 082384
info@wild-woodbury.org
Website: http://www.wild-woodbury.org/ Facebook: Wild-Woodbury
WEATHER REPORT
The extra lockdown month of November was rather boring weatherwise as
in other ways. Rainfall at 67mm (2.6 inches) was very much below the 20-
year average of 93mm, here at Ebford.
Most of the rain fell during the second week of the month, with 18.5mm
recorded on Saturday 14th. Colder, more seasonal conditions are now
approaching, as I write at the beginning of December. Norman Cann
WOODBURY NEWS to your door …
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or would like your Woodbury News to be delivered
To your door monthly, just call Jeremy Boyden on 233072
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Audrey Elphick on 01392 876909.
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Send all submissions to karensquires100@gmail.com30
WOODBURY NEWS ADVERTISING RATES
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The Woodbury News accepts no liability for:- i) Any claims made by the
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the advertiser; iii) Any legal action as a result of the advertisement.
BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS
ALTERATIONS TO LADIES AND GENTS WEAR, MADE TO
MEASURE CURTAINS AND ROMAN BLINDS, ALTERATIONS TO
CURTAINS. Contact Shirley on 01395 223523. (1/12)
EXE INTERIORS & HANDYMAN SERVICES for all home improvement
requirements inc. painting & decorating, wall & floor tiling, bathrooms &
kitchens, handyman service. Call Sean 07967 777396. (7/12)
CARPENTER Chris Isaac Property Maintenance, Kitchens, Doors, Flooring,
Fencing, Fascias/Guttering, Tiling, General Repairs. Free Estimates. Reliable
tradesman. 07855170674/01395233933 chrisisaaccarpenter@gmail.com. (9/12)
WE ARE POSH NOSH! With over two decades of experience in the catering
industry we are at the forefront of special occasion and event catering in Devon
and the West Country. We are committed to providing first class cuisine with
outstanding levels of service. Phone: 01392 444877 or email: info@posh-
nosh.co.uk. (6/12)
SYNERGI EVERTHING PLUMBING AND HEATING For all your
plumbing and heating needs. Large or small jobs at fair prices. Boiler
servicing, repairs and care plans. Local, reliable and efficient. Gas, Oil, and
LPG. Tel Synergi 01395 542226. www.synergisw.co.uk. (8/12)
MATHS TUITION: Experienced, female Maths teacher available to teach
primary to GSCE level maths, 11+ and SATs prep. Now providing virtual
tutoring and online support. Reasonable rates. Jane Moffatt on 07730
877889 janepmoffatt@gmail.com. (12/12)
ACCOUNTS AND TAX SERVICE Sole Trades, Partnerships, Limited
Companies and Personal Tax. Full range of advice. Fixed fee plans and free
initial consultation/quotation. Wheelers Accountants Tel: 233184. (11/24)31
RUBBISH REMOVALS Domestic and Commercial. Environment Agency
licensed. No job too small. Tel: 0800 335 7610 / 07979 841376.
www.rubbishremovalsexeter.com. (8/12)
COMPUTER REPAIRS AND UPGRADES; Broadband and wireless
connections; Data recovery and backup; Windows, iPads and Apple computers,
Virus and spyware removal; No fix no fee - Evening visits to suit you. Contact:
Mark Doyle 01395 233694. (5/12)
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE – James Waddell Interior & Exterior,
Carpentry, Flooring, Fencing & Gates, Plumbing, Decking, Bathrooms &
Kitchens, General Repairs. Free Advice & Estimates 01395 263496. (7/12)
ELECTRICIAN James Sliman Local, reliable, fully qualified and
experienced. NAPIT registered and insured. From a socket to rewire 01395
276323 07866 313812 www.jslimanelectrician.co.uk. (5/12)
WOODBURY HOLIDAY HOME TO RENT in centre of village. Luxury
accommodation for 4 people, 2 en-suites, parking, courtyard garden. Weekly
holidays & short breaks. www.woodburyholidays.co.uk 01579 350365. (5/12)
ROOFING Woodbury based RWI Roofing Specialising in Slating, Tiling, Re-
Roof, New Roof, Repairs, Guttering. For a friendly, reliable service call Ray
232926, or 07988 691051 (As recmd in OurLocalExpert.co.uk). (4/12)
MOBILE FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER - providing services such as
nail cutting, corn and callus removal, thickened nail reduction. For
appointments please call 01392 949030 (*)
WOODBURY NEWS is available online
and via Facebook and Twitter.32
T.D. BUILDERS
General Quality Building Service
* New builds & Extensions
* Brickwork & Block work
* Rendering & Plastering
* Drives & Patios
* All types of building work
undertaken !!
FREE ESTIMATES
01395 233995 or
07751 73809233
Woodbury Woodbury Village Hall
Salterton Hall and two meeting rooms,
Fully equipped kitchen
Village Hall WIFI, sound system and projector
Hall –Tables and Chairs, Available for:
Dances and Parties
Well equipped kitchen Meetings and Classes
with cooker and fridge, Exhibitions and Craft Fairs
crockery and cutlery Badminton, Plays,
inclusive in hire. Business Lettings
Modest Rates. For bookings please contact:
Robin or Marian Lennox
For bookings please contact: Tel: 01395 232126
email:- woodburyvh@gmail.com
Pat or Gill Bricknell www.woodburyvillagehall.org.uk
01395 232463
Tel: 01392 79568934
35
Further to many recent enquiries:
Robert Miller
Local Painter & Decorator
of many years, is still in business.
A lifetime of experience!
All painting and decorating
jobs considered.
Contact Bob on
01395 233773
or 07800 854839
THORNS COTTAGE,
WOODBURY
Welcoming New Patients
A friendly, caring practice providing
the very latest treatment techniques,
in a relaxed setting:
� Routine dental care with oral health
assessment
� Cosmetic dental treatments including
whitening, implants, veneers
� Crowns made on the day of your visit,
with no need for impressions!!
Facial Rejuvenation treatment -
Discreet clinics now available.
Speak to our friendly team.
Tel: 01395 442552
www.budleighdentalpractice.co.uk36
Woodbury Dance
Studio
RAD BALLET
Grades and Majors
Children from 2½ years
Principal: Mary Griffiths
ARAD, MA(Oxon)
Tel: 01395 271249
marygriffiths@hotmail.com
www.woodburydance.co.uk
All classes at Woodbury C of E
Primary School37
Africa / Asia / Australia
USA / Canada / NZ
South America / Antarctica
Discuss your travel plans with
the award-winning experts
Nomadic Travel
25 Gandy Street
Exeter
Tel: 01392 221199
Email: info.nomadictravel.co.uk
www.nomadictravel.co.uk
Independent travel agents
Established 1999
100% Financial Protection
ATOL T745238
39
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