Latest News

News and information will appear here 'as it happens'.

Last updated: 16th August 2008

All opinions here are mine unless otherwise stated ~ Stephen Fryer

Village Shop on the market again!

Buckland Shop and Post Office, which was closed by the current owners two years ago, is on the market for (I understand) £200.000. Sadly, I imagine there is little chance of it becoming a PO again, given the current closure programme by the Post Office, but we could desperately do with a general store again.

Buckland Monachorum Village Hall
Annual General Meeting

Follow up 2......

I am pleased to say that two volunteers have stepped forward to fill the Trustee vacancies on the Hall Committee. My thanks to both Shirley Dunstan and Rachel Bennett for agreeing to join us! Shirley was a Hall Trustee once before, and Rachel, of course, is currently Chair of the June Fair Committee.

Follow up......

Unfortunately, no-one came forward to fill the two vacant positions on the Committee, leaving us two elected trustees short. This is disappointing and makes life difficult for those of us trying to keep the Hall in tip-top condition for the use of the community. We urgently require two volunteers to join the committee as trustees of the Hall Charity. Please contact me if you are interested in helping.

The Charity's finances are in good health, and the Hall itself is in generally good condition. Plans to overhaul the internal wiring and to replace the chairs and tables will be put on hold for the time being until we have a full committee again.

Wednesday 7th May @ 7.30pm

The Buckland Monachorum Village Hall Charity manages a valuable and much-used Village (and Community) asset. The Charity's Committee is made up of five members, (elected at the AGM) plus nominated persons from each of its 'Regular User Groups'. Once elected or nominated, members are Trustees of the Charity for the following twelve months. This committee maintains the fabric of the building and its contents, and organises regular events for the community, (which also help raise funds for the upkeep of the Hall). The committee is backed up by a group of 'Friends of the Village Hall' who help on an 'as & when' basis assisting at events, (jumble sales, coffee mornings, etc.) or with hall maintenance, (repairs, painting, etc.).

During the last twelve months, two of the Committee's (elected) trustees have had to stand down so there are two vacancies which urgently need to be filled. The Committee would also like to recruit someone to take on co-ordinating our publicity. This role could be filled by one of the new elected members, or by a new 'Friend'.

If you are willing to volunteer for either of the above, then please come along to the AGM, or contact Stephen Fryer on 01822 855336.

This is a public meeting, so everyone is welcome to come along and hear about the Committee's work and/or to ask questions. Refreshments are provided, courtesy of the Chairman.

Remember, please support your Village Hall, you never know when you might need it!

Forthcoming Events at the Hall:

Saturday 17th May ~ Coffee Morning ~ from 10am to Noon
Exhibition of photographs by RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group
Come along and try your hand at the flight simulator!

Saturday 17th May ~ Quiz Evening ~ 7.30pm for 8pm start
Teams of up to six (@ £2 per head) Bring your own refreshments

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Saturday ~ 5th April 2008 @ 7.30pm

"Fings ain't wot they used t'be"
with Chris Batters

How well do you remember the 50's, 60's and 70's? All those TV programmes, films and adverts, the cost of living, and general lifestyle of the time? Well now you can relive all those memories with an evening of nostalgia with Chris Batters, the local popular entertainer, when he brings his one-man show "Fings ain't wot they used t'be" to Buckland Monachorum Village Hall on Saturday, 5th April at 7.30pm. Enjoy the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and other famous stars of the period, and have fun travelling down memory lane recalling those memories of yesteryear! Tickets are £5 in advance (£5.50 on the door) and are available on (01822) 855336.

Chris Batters has been involved with film and theatre for most of his life and is well known throughout the West Country as a script writer and producer. This latest show, "Fings ain't wot they used t'be" is his own production and it has been successfully touring the south west for some time, playing to packed houses in Theatres, Hotels and more recently, Village Halls. The show was originally produced as a 'one-off' but proved so popular, Chris began touring with it. This in turn led to a 'Part II' and a 'Part III' when asked to return to venues with more of the same!

Tickets are £5 in advance, £5.50 on the night. Telephone 01822 855336 for further details

Follow up.......

I'm not sure what any of us expected from this evening, but it was great fun and really interesting! Chris (and his Grandson) took us on a journey through the years, by reminding us of past TV programmes and adverts, news stories and songs. Mixed in with all this was a challenging quiz! (our winner scored 19 out of 40-odd!!) Chris's presentation was rather in the manner of an 'after-dinner' talk but he encouraged (and got) resonses from the audience. We all had an entertaining three hours or so and invited him back for a 'part two' in the Autumn!

March Coffee Morning in the Village Hall

The March Coffee Morning, scheduled for the 8th has been brought forward to the 1st, because the Hall is need for local Ballet examinations on the 8th. It will run from 10am to Noon as usual.

Exhibition of Railway Photographs
Saturday 9th February (10am to Noon)

"The Railways of Plymouth - Then & Now"
Saturday 16th February from 7.30pm

Renowned local author and railway photographer Bernard Mills will be giving a talk and slide show on "The Railways of Plymouth - Then & Now" in Buckland Monachorum Village Hall, on Saturday 16th February, at 7.30pm. As a precursor to the talk, Bernard will have an exhibition of his favourite railway photographs on display at the Village Hall's Coffee Morning, this Saturday, 9th February from 10am to Noon.

Bernard has been photographing the changing history of Britain's Railways since boyhood and in his talk, he will be drawing on his unique collection of historic photographs to show how much the local railway scene has changed over the years. He has also written several books on the subject and has had many of his photographs published in the railway press. If you enjoy local history and railways, then these events are not to be missed!

Hall Management Committee seeks new Trustees!

Since the last AGM in May 2007, two of the Village Hall's elected Trustees have stepped down for personal reasons. We therefore urgently need to find two willing volunteers take their place on the Committee. We also need to recruit a volunteer to take on publicity, creating posters, doordrops and liaising with the Press and Radio.

If you think you could be a Trustee and help with the upkeep of our Village Hall then please get in touch. If you would like to know more (before taking the plunge!) just come along to any Village Hall event and chat to any of the current Committee members.

Remember: Please support your Village Hall, you never know when you might need it!

Coffee Morning & Recycling Sale!

We had so many quality items donated for our recent Jumble Sale that we have decided to hold a special sale! So, on Saturday 10th November, from 10am to 12 Noon, we are having a "Recycling Sale" in the Hall and a Coffee Morning in the Richard Mabey Room!

Christmas is Coming!

Yes, I'm afraid it's that time of year again! The Village Hall Christmas Card is now on sale, with a snowy scene of the Garden House. And the Drama Group is currently rehearsing "Robin Hood & the Black Knight" which will be performed at the end of November. Full details by following the links. The Box Office opened on the 1st November and in a very short time, Friday tickets sold out and Saturday Matinee & Evening almost sold out! There are plenty left for Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. Don't delay! Book Today!!

June Fair raises almost £2,000!

Buckland Monachorum June Fair took place in sweltering sunshine on June 9th. Visitor numbers seemed to be down on previous years, and there were only a few entries for the Fancy Dress, however, the grand total raised on the day was just short of £2,000. A fantastic effort by everyone concerned. Our thanks to all who visited. We hope you had an enjoyable time.

A wash up meetng will be held shortly.

Annual Parish Meeting 2007

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 16th April, at 7.30pm, in the Committee Room at Yelverton War Memorial Hall.

Residents are invoted to come along and hear a presentation by Mr John Packer on the Borough's local housing policy and schemes. Local Councillors will also be present to answer any questions you may have on local issues.

Everyone welcome, come and have your say!

Local Council Elections

Don't forget that elections for the Borough Council take place on May 3rd!

How long does it take to repair a Coffee Machine?

Having dished out some brick-bats to a cooker company, (see below) I thought it only fair to present roses to Bravilor & Peter Stott Ltd, who were very helpful in getting one of our two coffee machines back in working order.

At Christmas, one of our Mondo2 coffee machines went wrong, after it was accidentally filled with hot water instead of cold! Although all parts are under warranty, the service company (not Bravilor/Peter Stott) wanted a large sum of money to come and fix it. After contacting Bravilor (and the company we bought the two machines from - Peter Stott) they kindly offered to send out the parts for me to replace myself. These duly arrived and I'm pleased to say the coffee machine is now back working again!

My thanks to Bravilor and Peter Stott Ltd for the help.

WILD BOARS ON THE MOOR

The Parish Council is hosting a meeting of interested agencies to include, DNPA, Maristow Estate, Roborough Commoners, The Police/firearms unit, Natural England and neighbouring Parish Council representatives to discuss the issue of the boars on the Moor. Members of the public are invited to come along to learn about what is being done to control the boars.

Meet at the Buckland Monachorum Village Hall at 7.30pm, Tuesday 6th February.

How long does it take to repair a cooker?

Well, if it's a Baumatic, then a very long time!

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.......

During August 2006, the main oven door on our new cooker in the Village Hall was accidentally damaged. It was only after it was looked at in early September, that it was realised that the oven door hinges had been forced down, (thus stopping the over door from closing) and that it was not a simple repair.

Baumatic were contacted in late September. Cost of a call-out was £75. Cost of hinges £12 each. The fault was described to them in detail and we were told that the earliest an engineer could call was on October 17th.

October 17th. The engineer arrived, looked at the cooker very briefly and said "I need to order hinges". Excuse me?? Didn't we tell you that when we asked you to call?!

Four weeks went by........

Eventually, Baumatic were rung to see what was happening. "The hinges have been out of stock" we were told. (I guess that means Baumatice hadn't manufactured any cookers for four weeks then?) It is now November....

Finally....Baumatic say they have the hinges and the engineer can call on December the 9th. Hooray!

On December the 8th....a phone call. "Sorry, we can't call tomorrow because we need to send TWO engineers for this job and we can't now do it until January 9th" (oh per-lease!) (*see below!)

January 9th. A phone call from the engineer...."Sorry, we will have to reschedule the appointment as the wrong hinges have been ordered".

DOH!!!!!!!!!

I will leave you...dear reader of this tale, to fill in the blanks of curses! Baumatic were rung and politely told that their service was poor. Suffice to say that within ten minutes, a new date had been booked for the 17th January. Oh and someone has to be there to help the engineer pull out the cooker because it is a two-man job........(*see below!)

Also....is it strange that hinges that took over a month to get in the first place, can suddenly be replaced in a week??? Or are we just being cynical?

Not nodded off yet...then there's more.....

The engineer finally arrived on the 17th Jan. I missed his phone call announcing his imminent arrival because I was on the phone to the service department to see when he might call (they didn't know!) and happened to be at the Hall when he arrived about 9.45am.

When I said that I thought he was going to ring before calling, he quite rudely snapped back "I did. I left a message". He then proceeded to get stuck into the cooker, pulling it out and starting to take it to bits. (*Ahem...I thought this was a two-man job??). Did he need any help? I asked. "Not really - you're alright".

By this time his manner was beginning to irritate me and a few moments later I nearly exploded! His mobile phone rang. Evidently the service centre was calling. " No I'm doing the job now". (pause to listen) "Yea, he's just had a go at me because apparently I didn't ring him." Turning his back on me as he said this.

WHAT!!!!!! Excuse me! Customer service? I don't think so!

I left the Hall at that point because I needed to calm down!

I went back later to discover the cooker back together and fixed, but one of the oven control knobs was missing. Great! A service docket was shoved in my letterbox, but nothing about the oven control being missing was on it.

Another call to the service department to discover it was 'broken' but that it could be replaced the following week. Which it eventually was.

So what do I think of the Baumatic service? Absolute rubbish. And I don't think I'll say more than that.

Shop & Post Office

The application by the current owners of our Shop & Post Office, to turn it into residential use has been thrown out by West Devon Borough Council planners! Hooray!

However, it is understood that a further, revised, application is expected.

A plan for housing North of Cross Park has been submitted by the current landowners. This was rejected by WDBC

And an application for housing on one of the fields adjoining Cuxton Farm has been submitted. Full details on the WDBC website.

Fungus Foray Walk & Breakfast

The Village Hall are holding a 'Fungus Foray' walk & breakfast on the morning of Sunday 1st October, commencing at 9am, (see note below). Starting point for the walk is the car park at the top of Down Lane in Buckland Monachorum. The walk will be led by David Simkins through the woods above Double Waters. Those on the walk will be encouaged to look for interesting mushrooms, toadstools and other fungi which will then be taken back to the Village Hall for identification.

It is then hoped to have any interesting (edible!) specimens cooked up to go with brunch. Bacon, eggs and toast will be available for those who have worked up an appetite!

Please note! We obviously have to limit the numbers of those going on the walk so please either email, or call 01822 855336 to book a place. Tickets are £3 adult £1.50 child for the walk, with an additional charge for those wanting brunch afterwards.

Future events in October at the Hall include our monthly Coffee Morning on Saturday the 14th, a Trafalgar Dinner on Saturday the 21st and a Jumble Sale on Saturday the 28th.

Buckland Shop & PO

Subsequently thrown out by WDBC Planners!

Update 25th September: No decision yet

Update 19th August: Due to an error when advertising the planning application by WDBC, the deadline for objections is now the 7th September. The application itself won't now go to Committee until late September.

West Devon Borough Council have received the planning application for change of use of the shop premises to residential. This is not unexpected of course, given that the current owners have already converted the shop area into living accommodation! What's surprising is that the application is not 'retrospective', (they say they want to do the work not that they have already done it). Even the submitted before and after plans show the work effectively completed, with the new internal wall and re-opened doorway to the upstairs flat!

Elaine Simkins, Clerk to the Parish Council, has a copy of the full planning application, including the documentary evidence which the owners have put forward to support their claim that the shop is 'not viable'. It makes very interesting reading!

It should also be possible to download the application from the WDBC website. But as of now (11pm Monday Night) the WDBC website is throwing up an error! Link now closed

And then putting in '9208' as the application number. Finally, click on the 'Validate Search' button. This should bring up a list of applications, of which the Shop one is at the bottom.

The Parish Council will discuss the application at tomorrow night's Planning Meeting, (Tuesday 1st August @ 7.30pm). I personally can't be there but have written a letter of objection. I will also be writing to WDBC which I urge everyone else to do. This is (possibly) our last chance to save the shop. It would appear that there has been plenty of interest in the premises, but if their experience was like mine, (see below) then it's no wonder it hasn't sold.

RAF Harrowbeer Display

On Saturday 10th June, The RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group will have maps, photos, documents and other Memorabilia about the former WWII Airfield on display at the Hall's monthly Coffee Morning and Bring & Buy, from 10am to 12 Noon. The Group are still keen to meet and chat to anyone with memories of the airfield, so do please come along. Entrance to the Hall and Display is free.

Concert Choir comes to Buckland.

The Tamar Concert Choir will be singing at Buckland Monachorum Village Hall on the evening of Friday 16th. June. The Choir, under their Musical Director David Lodge, comprises about forty singers and will offer 'easy listening' music with songs by the Beatles, John Denver, Abba, Simon and Garfunkel and others -
with some solo flute items. The Hall Committee hope that the event will attract an appreciative local audience and also some who might want to consider joining the Choir - particularly sought are Altos, Tenors, and Basses.

Tickets at £4.00 - can be pre-booked by phoning 01822 854270

Buckland Shop & PO

I'm sure many will have noticed the building work going on in the Shop and PO building. I have no idea what the current owners have planned. They seem reluctant to sell the property as I tried to view it myself. Although an appointment was made to view, the owners never kept it and I understand from the Agents that it has now been withdrawn from sale.

I do know of others who tried to view the premises and not been able too.

As the property is a 'business' (and no planning application has been made otherwise) under planning rules it is not permissible to use the shop area for residential use. I am aware that West Devon BC Planning Department has been contacted by the Parish Council.

If you wish to view the current ownership and (any) mortgage on this (or any other) property, then a visit to the Land Registry Website is a must. For £2 you can view the details on line.

Drama Group!

Buckland Monachorum Drama Group are putting on a 'Meal & Play' from 21st June to 24th June 2006. The play is called "Murder by Natural Causes". More info on the Drama Group page! (when I get it there!!!! SCF)

Burn's Night in the Hall

We are very sorry, but tickets for the Hall's Burn's Night on the 26th January sold out even before they were printed.

Rememberance Day ~ 13th November

Just a reminder that the Parish Council, in conjunction with the Royal British Legion, will be holding a short Rememberance Day Service at the War Memorial at Crapstone at 11am on Sunday, 13th November. Everyone is welcome to attend and the RBL will have small personal crosses available for placing by the memorial.

If you happen to be driving past the memorial during the service, please slow down.

Eric Gordon Paull

Eric 'Ricky' Paul 'The Janner' 16th Feb 1924 ~ 26th Oct 2005

I wouldn't normally put an obituary on this website, but I am going to make an exception on this occasion. Eric 'Ricky' Paull moved to Buckland Monachorum in 1990 after the yacht on which he had lived for many years (called the 'JNR') was wrecked in the winter storms. He was instrumental in setting up the Village's Neighbourhood Watch and was its Chairman up until ill health forced his 'retirement'. He was also a good friend to the Village Hall.

He passed away on the 26th October 2005 following a long illness with cancer. He had no family, his only Sister having died in 2003, and although he had been married twice, there were no children. I felt honoured to lead the mourners at his Funeral on Friday and to read his eulogy.

I was deeply moved to find that he had left the bulk of his estate to the Village Hall. Whilst not a rich man, his bequest is a splendid present to the Trustees.

Rest In Peace Ricky, you will not be forgotten

Lord & Lady Morley

Lord & Lady Morley kindly donated a Magnolia tree to the Hall, to replace a previous tree originally planted by the WI.

The Magnolia planting ceremony. Saturday 8th October 2005

To mark 21 years of being the Hall's Caretaker, Lord & Lady Morley make a presentation to Shirley Fairchild on behalf of the Hall's Committee

Finally, to mark the Golden Wedding of Lord & Lady Morley, and to thank them for their support of the Hall, Richard Mabey presents a framed painting of Pound House to them. The picture (painted by Richard) features on this year's Village Hall Christmas Card.

Village Hall Kitchen finished!

During August, the Village Hall's old kitchen was ripped out and a new one installed. Full details on the Village Hall pages.

Travelling Post Office to Visit Buckland!

The Post Office have announced that their travelling Post Office is to visit Buckland Monachorum on a weekly basis from the 28th July 2005.

It will call at the Village Hall Car Park, on Thursdays, from 12.15pm to 12.45pm. The mobile service will initailly offer only letter & parcel postings and postage stamps but it is hoped that in due course, there will be provision of a wider range of Post Office services.

June Fair 2005

The 2005 June Fair was a very successful day, with nearly £2,000 raised for the local groups and charities that put on the Fair. Everyone who came seemed to have a good time, and the Fancy Dress Parade was well supported, with some great costumes! The Committee will be holding the 'wash up' meeting on the 28th July, where next year's Committee will be elected. New Committee members are urgently needed - so please volunteer if you can!!!!!!

Village Hall ~ July update!

The Hall will be closed for the whole of August, whilst the new kitchen is installed. We are also planning a complete repaint of the interior of the main Hall, so if you can spare a few hours (in the week beginning 15th August) then please let us know! There will be plenty of stripping, sanding, filling & painting to be done!

Our Piano has unfortunately developed an unrepairable fault on its sounding board. This means that notes in the higher octaves sound 'dead'. We are therfore on the lookout for a small(ish) upright Piano. If you have one you would like to donate to the Hall, please get in touch.

After a busy few weeks, the Snooker Room at the Hall has reopened for business! The table is available to hire by anyone and full details are on the Village Hall pages of this website.

BM Shop and Post Office Closure

Update March/Feb 2005

The Post Office have apparently moved to make the closure of the Post Office "Permanent" because no-one has come forward to run it. There is good news though in that the mobile Post Office will be making visits to the Village instead. More details when I have them.

The Village Shop and Post Office was closed by the current owners due to a 'lack of business' some time ago.

The Post Office Area Supervisor has pledged that the Post Office are fully committed to providing a full-time Post Office Counter Service in Buckland Monachorum.

It is to be hoped that eventually, the current shop premises will be purchased and reopened.

November 2004

Buckland's bus service is now run by DAC Coaches. Yelverton Post Office is under threat as the current postmaster is retiring and new premises will have to found for it anyway. Current date for closure is in the New Year. A new Postmaster/mistress is urgently required.

Update July 2004

The following is taken from the draft Parish Council minutes of the 20th July 2004:
The Parish Council were recently visited by Mr Pound and a colleague who reported that the Village Hall had been passed as a suitable site for a Post Office. [N.B. as Chairman of the VH Committee I wasn't aware of this] However they have been unable to find a Postmaster/Mistress despite advertising for one.

They also reported that the Co-op want to CLOSE the Yelverton PO! This is (apparently) due to Government requirements to provide 'consulting facilities' within Chemists. They [the Co-op] say they will not close to PO until suitable alternate premises are found.

ALSO:
DCC say they do not want to lose the 55 Bus service around the Parish and new tender documents for the service have been sent out. The current service will be run until September by Citybus on a temporary contract.

Update March 2004

The Village Hall Chairman met with a PO Representative (at the Hall) to look at where a temporary Post Office might be set up. Various options were considered and these will be presented to the Hall Committee in due course.

Update Feb 2004

The shop apparently is no longer being sold through Mansbridge & Balment. It has been put with a firm in Plymouth, (Connoly's I understand). Information to hand says asking price is £170,000. No further information on the possible plan for putting the Post Office into the Village Hall, but the Chairman is due to meet a representative of the PO shortly.

Update December 2003

The Parish Council meeting on the 3rd December was (by the standard of the previous packed meeting) very poorly attended. Attempts to talk to the current owners about the situation and possible solutions had been ignored. At the present time, everything seems to be in limbo. No further info about the possibility of putting the PO into the Village Hall at this time.

Update - 21st November 2003

The Post Office and Shop closed on the 14th November. The place looks very sad now and appears to have been vacated by the owners as it all looks very empty.

The Parish Council have called a meeting for the 3rd December 2003, (see local posters for full details) at which they will be seeking an individual to lead a group/committee to look at raising the funds to purchase the shop & PO with a view to getting it reopened.

I am still waiting to here from Mr Pound re using the Hall as a temporary Post Office

Update - November 1st 2003

The Parish Council have decided that it is beyond their remit to purchase the shop/PO, (which is quite understandable). I have met with Mr Pound from the Post Office to look at possible locations for a temporary PO in the Village Hall. We have both agreed that the Meeting Room is the most logical and secure position. WE STILL REQUIRE SOMEONE TO TAKE ON THE SUB-POSTMASTER/MISTRESS JOB.

It is feasible that as (another) temporary measure, an existing Office could run the Buckland services, but this is not an ideal situation.

The Parish Council are likely to hold another public meeting to see whether there is any possibilty of forming a committee (or such like) to investigate ways of purchasing the exisiting shop/PO, or opening new premises. Watch out for press & posters!

My own suggestion is that the shop is purchased by the residents of Buckland Monachorum, and the Shop/PO turned into a limited company, with (say) £1 shares being offered up to the purchase price. The Company could then lease the premises, or employ someone to run the shop/PO.

Stephen Fryer

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