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March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
Petrockstowe
News
Printed By:
In this months Petrockstowe News:
Feeling hungry , page 5 will wet your appetite
Despite the lack of Sun the solar panels are still generating on page 6
Page 10 lists the church services for March
1066 and all that, well the Petrockstowe version on page 12
Flip the pages until you get to page 13 for the latest from the Ladies Group
On 14 you will get the latest Cricket club news plus a lowdown on what’ been
happening in the world of Football
Green fingers should thumb their way to next page
If your diary needs updating go to page 16
Pip’s message on page 18, followed by mic wright on page 19
The latest from the police on 20
Double bubble on 21...two months 100 Club winners on one page
Pages 26 & 27 give you all you need to know about the Spring Flower & Produce
show
Please Note that all Hall Bookings will be through Ann Luxton on
01837 810280 during February and March, as Josie will be away.
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March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
Superfast Broadband and some of
the benefits
Now that we have finally got a decent
broadband in the village, it is possible to
stream films, download music in a fraction of
the time it took under the old half meg if you
were lucky broadband.
One of the joys of going on line is YouTube,
where you can find such fun articles as:
HOW TO MAKE A PAPER CROSSBOW
Type in to your Browser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz-JQ2e_vBo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
We will feature a regular YouTube spot each month
Photo Copying Service Pricing
As many of you are aware we have a Printer/Photo-Copier, that resides in the
office of the Baxter Hall.
We are happy to offer on a self service basis the use of the Copier for single
or multiple copies.
This is not a free service as the cost of paper/toner and other sundries
including periodic servicing costs have to be covered.
Please see the charges per copy below.
There is an honesty box by the printer for you to leave your payment for the copying. Should you
wish to pay by cheque, you can make the cheque payable to :
Petrockstowe News and send it to:
5 Townland Rise
Ex20 3PQ
Black and White Copying Price per copy from one original:
Number of Copies A4 only
1-20 copies
£0.12 per copy
21-50 copies
£0.10 per copy
51-200 copies
£0.08per copy
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March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
Notes from the Baxter Hall Committee
A very big thanks to the Petrockstowe Ladies Group for their very generous donation of £1100.00 which has
been used to buy room dividers.
The cooker in the kitchen at the Baxter Hall has provided many hot meals at various functions held in the hall
over many years……sadly we have to announce its demise. But the good news is the committee with the help of
Paul Giles-phillips have bought a brand spanking new commercial cooker, which by the time you read this
month’s news should be up and running.
Fiona Lowe has decided to hang up her rubber gloves, ash pan and brush, after a number of years of hard
work cleaning the Baxter Hall. So a big Thank You from the Baxter Hall committee for all her hard work and
useful suggestions.
We will be seeking to replace Fiona, details to follow in the next issue.
Recently notices have been on display concerning the consumption of alcohol in the Baxter Hall. The committee have requested that the Petrockstowe News reprint the notice in this edition of the News to ensure that
all are aware of this new rule. It is as follows:
Important Notice
Please note that only alcohol purchased from the bar in the
Baxter Hall may be consumed on the premises. Alcohol brought
elsewhere must not be bought onto the premises for
consumption. To do otherwise could jeopardise the hall’s license
to sell alcoholic beverages.
Baxter Hall Committee
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A GRAND QUIZ
This will be held in
the Baxter Hall on
Saturday March 15th 7p.m.
for 7.30p.m. start.
Please book a team with Ann
01837810280 or Ian
01409281281.
Teams of 6 @ £5
per person to
include light
refreshments.
P
etrockstowe Art Group has gone from
strength to strength, we now have 16
members, not a bad result considering
that less than 5 months ago we had only 6
members!
But we are still keen to add more to our
thriving art group, so if you have been
wavering...waver no longer.
We meet on a Friday morning at 10.30am at
the Baxter Hall and have two hours of
drawing/painting/socialising/ tea-coffee and biscuits and more recently home made cake,
provided by Netty our tutor.
For more information
Either phone Keith on: 01837 811885
Or email on: rookeys@krtoons.com
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Sponsored by:
Please support Big Breakfast 2014 and
help us celebrate North Devon Hospice’s 30th anniversary!
From February through to April, Big Breakfasts will be popping up all over North Devon, giving you the chance to
enjoy the most important meal of the day with family, friends, neighbours or colleagues, whilst also raising vital
funds for your local hospice.
Over this period, Big Breakfast events will take place throughout North Devon and Cornwall borders, in locations
ranging from village halls and local pubs, from churches to cafes and restaurants. A broad range of goodies will be
on offer, from the traditional full-English to vegetarian options. All you need to do is come along to your local Big
Breakfast event and enjoy a delicious meal, all profits from which will be donated to North Devon Hospice. It
couldn’t be simpler!
Please come along and support your local Big Breakfast at:
The Laurels Inn, Petrockstowe
Sat 22nd March 9.30am- 2.00pm
£6 donation Full English or Vegetarian platter
( inc. tea/coffee, toast), raffle draw. Everyone welcome!
You can be sure of a warm welcome from Lyn and the team, so please support our generous Big Breakfast organisers if you can.
The money raised through Big Breakfast, which is generously sponsored by Phillip Dennis Foodservice, will help
North Devon Hospice care for local people who are suffering from the impact of cancer and other life-limiting
illnesses. All hospice services are provided completely free of charge, but it costs £4million each year to care in
this way.
This is only possible thanks to the ongoing support of the local people of North Devon so by attending your local Big Breakfast event, you will be helping us support people in your own community.
Last year, the event raised an incredible £16,500. With your support, we are hoping to surpass this sum – something which would make a real difference to the lives of the patients and families cared for by the hospice. For
more information, or to find out about the many other Big Breakfasts taking place in North Devon, please visit
www.northdevonhospice.org.uk, or call Gerard Fawcitt on 01271 347224.
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February Solar Panel
Update
Recreation Ground Committee future events

Saturday April 19th: The Annual Easter Egg Hunt
starting from the Baxter Hall at 10am.

Sunday April 27th: Recreation Ground `Clean-Up
Day` starting at 10am.

Saturday June 29th: Sports Day Recreation Ground
2pm.


Despite the poor weather we have been enduring
since the last Solar update, we have been
generating kilowatts.
Number 2 Townland Rise has generated a total of
1192 kW the value of the *FIT +*ET is
£205.00
Saturday July 26th: Village Fete and Dog Show to
be opened by a television personality at 2pm.
Number 5 Townland Rise has generated a total of
Wednesday November 5th: Fireworks Party at 6pm.
£182.00
The committee ran a very successful Burn`s Night Ceilidh
Barn Dance on the evening of January 25th, in the Baxter
Hall. A gathering of over 80 adults and children
thoroughly enjoyed an evening of dancing to the superb
music provided by the North Devon Folk Orchestra. A
delicious mid interval buffet supper was provided by Chef
Paul. The committee are to be congratulated on holding a
very successful village function.
The next events on the Recreation Ground calendar are
The Annual Children`s Easter Egg Hunt at the Baxter
Hall on Easter Saturday April 19th at 10am and
the Recreation Ground Committee AGM on Wednesday
April 23rd at 8pm at 10 Townland Rise.
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1060 kW the value of the FIT + ET is
Number 10 Townland Rise has generated a total of
1030kW the value of the FIT + ET is
£177.00
The next update will be in the April issue of the
News.
*FIT (Feed in Tarrif)
*ET (Export Tarif)
March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
LAUREL`S QUIZ
The Quiz held on Tuesday 4th February was won by 4xBar Stools, Red Hot
Silly Peppers came 2nd and in 3rd place was Full Complement. £89 was raised
in aid of The Little Otters Pre School. Next month Tuesday March 4th
proceeds in aid of The Rec.
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North Devon Hospice is delighted to
be marking our 30th anniversary in
2014.
PETROCKSTOWE GARDENING
CLUB WELCOME
We're also pleased to announce that
Holiday Cottages is helping us celebrate this milestone by making a donation of £30.00 for every holiday
booked by a hospice supporter.
SARAH CHESTERS, RHS
ROSEMOOR
TO GIVE A TALK ON ‘SPRING
COLOUR’
So whether you are after a weekend
break or a longer holiday in any of
their properties throughout the UK,
just tell them that you are a hospice
supporter to activate the donation.
AT THEIR NEXT MEETING ON
TUESDAY 11 MARCH AT 8.00PM
IN THE BAXTER HALL
Please follow this link where you can
insert your booking reference and
activate the donation.
Thank you
ALL WELCOME – TEA/COFFEE AND
BISCUITS
http://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/
hospice
£2 FOR NON-MEMBERS
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Services at Roman Catholic Churches
S
evices at Sacred Heart, Bideford are: Saturday at 6.30pm and Sunday at 11.00am
The Torrington and Okehampton details are unchanged.
Torrington: The Holy Family, Gas Lane (served from Bideford) - Mass: Sunday 9.15am
For further details telephone 01237 472519
Okehampton: St Boniface, 95 Station Road - Masses: Saturday 6.00pm,
Sunday 11.00am
For further details telephone 01837 52229
St Petroc's Church - Team Clergy
T
eam Clergy:
Revd Martin Warren: 01409 281424
Revd Susannah Metz: 01837 810621
Churchwardens:
Ian Kent: 01409 281281
Ann Luxton: 01837 810280
Services for MarchAt St Petroc's
MARCH 2ND
MARCH 5TH
MARCH 9TH
MARCH 16TH
MARCH 23RD
MARCH 30TH
2ND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT
ASH WEDNESDAY
LENT 1
LENT 2
LENT 3
MOTHERING SUNDAY
11A.M. REVD S. METZ HC
7.P.M.
6.30P.M REVD J CARTWRIGHT EP
11A.M. UNITED AT THE CHAPEL
6.30P.M. REVD S METZ HC
11A.M. TEAM SERVICE LANGTREE
GRAND QUIZ. This will be held in the Baxter Hall on Saturday March 15th 7p.m. for 7.30p.m. start.
Please book a team with Ann 01837810280 or Ian 01409281281.
Teams of 6 £5 per person to include light refreshments.
Mothering Sunday Lunch. This will be held on March 30th in the Baxter Hall 12.30 for 1p.m.
Please book tickets from Ann or Ian. A hot roast beef lunch followed by sweets and cheese and biscuits is
on the menu.
Please book early as this is always popular.
Lent Series begins on Wednesday March 12th in the Baxter Hall at 7.30p.m. Bishop Nick Mckinnell of
Crediton will be leading some of the evenings on Uncovering the letter to the Romans
We are most grateful to The Ladies Group for their very generous donation of £1,100. We intend to put it
towards some new guttering for the church. Not glamorous but very necessary to keep the church
maintained.
There will be no flowers during Lent. Cleaning March 1- 8th Sandra Banks
March 15th - 22nd Marion Steer, March 29th - April 5th Ann Luxton.
Please hold in your prayers the families of Hilary Chitty and John Walden who have passed away. Both had
lived in and been part of the Village for many years and will be missed.
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March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
Methodist Chapel
Services for March
Flower Rota
2nd March 11am Rev Meg Slingo
J Skinner
9th March 11am Mr B Searle
C Cottle
16th March 11am Mrs R Brown United Service
D Andrew
23rd March 11am Mr E Hucker
J Skinner
30th March 11am Rev J Peak
C Cottle
It will be Petrockstowe ladies turn to serve coffee in Hatherleigh
Chapel on Tuesday April 25thoriginaly advertised as March 4th
Pictures from the Burns Night Ceilidh
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PETROCKSTOWE LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
HISTORY GROUP. Twenty members held a joint
meeting with members of the Merton History
Group in the Baxter Hall on Friday February 7th,
when Sharon Snell spoke on the history of the
Braddick family of which she is a member. Her
great, great grandfather was born in 1844 and
originally worked in the gardens of Siddenham
House, South Devon, before joining the Southern
Railway and relocating to Bideford. Here he met
his wife Sophie,whose family had a grocer`s shop
in the town. They married in 1869 and had 13
children in 20 years. He went into the butchery
business and ran an abattoir where `Crabby Dicks`
is now situated. One of his sons, Hobart Braddick,
started making and selling furniture in the original
shop which is still in the business today.The family
were also very involved with a campsite at
Westward Ho! between the wars. This was used as
an Army camp by the Americans in the second
World War. Leslie Braddick, Hobart`s son, opened
the Elizebethan Club after the War which proved
very popular and eventually was transformed into
the Pier House, named after the redundant
Westward Ho! pier, which is still in use at the
present time. Mrs Snell also mentioned that her
father was very involved in Clay Pigeon shooting
and became the English champion in 1972. Her
grandfather was Mayor of Bideford in the 1940`s,
and the Braddick family were involved in 11
different companies around the area at that time.
At the end of her talk, Chairman Christine Vooght,
thanked Sharon for her fascinating and
illuminating talk.
The next meeting of the Group will be held in the
Baxter Hall on Friday March 7th , when the
subject will be entitled Horse Drawn Power.
Coffee Morning will be on
Wednesday, 19th March at 10.30 in
the Chapel
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LADIES GROUP experienced an
evening of Flash, Bang, Wallop! when
the much travelled village scientist,
Peter Wright from Brandize Hill,
demonstrated some fascinating
experiments with liquid nitrogen and
other materials. Firing plastic bottle
rockets, laying on a bed of 1000 nails,
plus a hovercraft deckchair, it proved
to be an enthralling and different
evening, thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Peter was warmly thanked by Caroline Pink for
an entertaining and whacky presentation.
Assisting his father, Peter’s son, 14 year old
Adrian, also gave a short presentation about his
planned World Challenge trip to Swaziland for
which he is required to raise £2,400. Having
already raised £1,200., he is organising a Quiz
Night in the Baxter Hall on Saturday February
22nd. to help swell the funds.
Tea, Coffee and delicious home made cakes
followed, with a general discussion on the
programme for the coming year and the state of
our financial affairs.
From the total sum of fundraising for 2013, Ann
Tomkins presented cheques valued at £1,000.
each to Caroline Pink, representative on the
Baxter Hall committee; Ann Luxton,
representing St Petroc’s Church; and Christine
Cottle for the Methodist Chapel, for which they
all expressed grateful thanks.
Advance Notice of Events.
Our next meeting will be at Baxter Hall on 25th March at 7.30pm.
It will be an evening with Ann and Malcolm Busby, who for many years were buyers at the famous
Harrods store in London. I'm sure we'll hear some very interesting stories from behind the scenes there!
All welcome.
The next Village Coffee Morning will be on Wednesday, 19th March at 10.30 in the Chapel.
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PETROCKSTOWE CRICKET CLUB will be holding their AGM in the Methodist
Chapel Meeting Room on Wednesday March 19th at 8pm anyone from the village is
welcome to attend and meet the committee, especially if you enjoy cricket, and would
like to lend a hand.
The Team are continuing to play in the Fourth Division of the North Devon League,
having come fourth in the League last year. They are also playing in the North
Devon League Cup for the first time this year. In fact the first Cup match will take
place v Bideford away on Sunday April 27th starting at 1.30pm, with the first home
match v Hatherleigh on Monday May 5th starting at 2pm.
It would be nice to forget all the wet, windy and miserable winter storms and look forward, hopefully,
to some sunny and warm cricketing weather, sitting in a deckchair down in the Recreation Ground
supporting our village team.
David Kelsey
PS
The Cricket Club are holding a Skittles Evening in the Baxter Hall on Saturday March 22nd, starting
at 7.30pm. All local teams welcome. £12 for teams of six. Prestigious Trophy to be won. Licensed bar.
To book a team please contact Ken Heaman on 01805 624025.
HAPPY GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY TO NANNIE AND FA (HEATHER AND
PETER HARRIS) LOTS OF LOVE FROM PAUL, NEIL, JULIE, KAREN,
LEWIS, BRENDAN,NICHOLAS, LUKE AND BRIONY
MERTON AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL CLUB
1st Team Fixtures: MARCH FIXTURES
Sat 1st March
Putford
Away
Sat 15th March
Barnstaple
3pm start
Home 3pm
There are still two fixtures to be arranged.
..
2nd Team Fixtures: MARCH FIXTURES
Sat 1st March Linton
Home
Sat 8th March Woolacombe Home
Sat 22nd March South Molton Away
Sat 29th March Georgeham
Home
3pm
3pm
3pm
3pm
So far neither 1st or 2nd team have been able to play any fixtures in February due to
waterlogged pitches.
14
start
..
..
..
March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
PETROCKSTOWE GARDENING CLUB
NEWSLETTER NO 195 - MARCH 2014
A
bout
25
members
enjoyed
a
very
interesting and informative illustrated
talk
by
Barry
Starling
about
rhododendrons and azaleas. Barry’s first
point was that azaleas are in fact
rhododendrons. There are over 1000
species of rhododendrons with over 27000
recognised hybrids bred over many years.
Rhododendrons are found naturally
mostly in Asia, but also in Europe, North
America.
Some species of alpine
rhododendrons only grow to 6ʺ tall,
whereas there are some species growing
to more than 60ʹ tall with large leaves up
to 2½ʹ long.
Most azaleas are deciduous, whereas
most rhododendrons are evergreen.
Rhododendrons display many different
forms of flowers although all are based
on the basic trumpet shape, but azaleas
are much more uniform and a simple
basic trumpet. Colours are very variable
from white through to yellow, orange and
red to purple and blue. Some
rhododendrons species will flower in a
year from germinating from seed, but
others will not flower until 25 years old,
but all are perennials.
HINTS AND TIPS – MARCH

Prune hydrangeas by cutting back
old flower heads to the first pair of
strong buds, but do not prune stems
with a bud at the top. Also cut out up
to a third of the oldest stems, pruning
back to their bases.

If you have already done so start
chitting your seed potatoes – put
them in a light, cool place with the
end showing the most buds
uppermost – an old egg box is ideal.

Towards the end of the month prune
Cornus and Salix grown for the
winter colour of their stems, cutting
stems hard back to the coppice or
stool.

You can sow seeds singly by using
the dampened end of a matchstick.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 11
March at 8.00pm in the Baxter Hall. The
speaker will be Sarah Chesters from RHS
Rosemoor and her subject will be ‘Spring
Colour’.
Tea/Coffee makers: Sybil Budd, Shirley
Barber and Gerard Jones
Barry was warmly thanked for his talk.
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SENIOR CIRCLE
Thursday 6th March at Old Orchard
2.30pm
LUNCHEON CLUB
Wednesday March 19th @ Tally Ho
from Old Orchard @ 12.50pm
Dates for your diary












1st March Disco @ Baxter Hall
3rd March Skittle Doubles Night at
Baxter Hall
11th March Gardening Club: Sarah
Chesters, RHS Rosemoor talking on
Spring Colour
14th March Hunt Supper @ Baxter
Hall



15th March Come Dine with Us @
Clinton Hall
15th March Quiz in the Baxter Hall
22nd March Big Breakfast @ the
Laurels 9.30am- 2.00pm
30th March Mothering Sunday Lunch
@ the Baxter Hall
th
Future dates
5 April Spring Flower & Produce
show
19th April The Annual Easter Egg
Hunt starting from the Baxter Hall at
10am.
29th June Sports Day Recreation
Ground 2pm.
12thJuly Safari Lunch
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26th July Village Fete and Dog
Show to be opened by a
television personality at 2pm.
12th October Harvest Lunch
26thOctober Tractor Run with
Lunch
March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
“Come Dine With Us!”
The Clinton Hall will be the venue for a
“Come Dine With Us” evening
on Saturday March 15th.
This will consist of an eight course restaurant style “taster”
menu
to include free welcome drink.
A selection of carefully chosen wines will be available.
Numbers will be strictly limited on a first-come basis at £20/
head.
Bookings close on March 1st
All funds raised will be split between The Clinton Hall, the
village defibrillator
and the children’s play park.
Pop & Joan + Mike & Wendy = 90 years of
marriage.
Congratulations from all in Petrockstowe
SPONSORED CYCLE
MONDAY 21ST APRIL 2014
Why not get your friends together, have a relaxed evening
and support three local good causes?
7.00 for 7.30 prompt Smart/formal dress code. Bookings and
enquiries via the Clinton Hall on 01805 603300
or email info@clintonhallmerton.co.uk
My name is Harrison Palmer, I am 14 Years Old. I live at Rosebank,
Petrockstowe.
I will be doing a sponsored cycle, for the British Lung Foundation, in
support of my Grandad, Chris Axford, who has an hereditary lung Condition
(emphysema due to alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency). On Monday 21st April
(Grandad’s 64th Birthday) I’m cycling from Barnstaple Hospital to my Gran
and Grandad’s house in Holsworthy, altogether it’s about 30 miles.
Any sponsors given will be gratefully received. Please contact 01409 281946,
or go to my just giving page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HarrisonPalmer
Registered Charity 326730 (England & Wales)
Registered Charity SC038415 (Scotland)
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March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
Village Publicity: Message to New Residents and an exciting New Feature!
It’s been a quiet month for the village website with just a handful of events taking place in January; with
the largest event being the Ceilidh Barn Dance- if you haven’t already seen the photos they are available on
the village website.
The social media pages have continued to grow over the last month; it appears the Facebook page is rapidly
becoming the hub of communication for villagers with many likes and comments being left under all posts.
Don’t forget that this is the place to look for any updates and alterations to forthcoming events, as well as
breaking news within the village!
There’s been another new feature added to the website this month- the village forum! It was decided that a
forum would be added after web feedback, carried out last year, found that a number of visitors to the site
felt it would be a worthwhile addition. So head over to the village website and sign up to the village forum
(under News & Views) by creating an account or using your existing Facebook or Google+ account.
The last month has also seen arrivals of new residents to the village who should have all received the new
village welcome pack with information on the village, local services, and gastronomy. If you’re a new
resident but haven’t received a welcome pack then please do not hesitate to email me.
It may seem a long way off but preparations are already underway for constructing this year’s
Petrockstowe Yearbook. The success of the first issue in 2013 will be built upon; this year’s design will
retain a similar layout but will also have some new features, one of which will be an ‘arrivals and
departures’ page. This will be designed to have messages and quotes from those both joining and leaving the
community, so if you’re a new resident or plan to leave the village soon then please feel free to email me any
quotes or messages, possibly with a photo, you wish to be included in the 2014 Yearbook (deadline
November 2014).
Pip Mahoney
publicity@petrockstowevillage.co.uk
Solution on Page 23
Online| Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Mobile
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Mic Wright’s page
What’s the latest on scams?
The latest advice to protect against scammers is to beware of anything that asks for money upfront
or appears to pressurise you into taking a quick decision; these are typical scammers’ tactics. Be
particularly careful if you notice poor English in any communications that you receive, it is
another sign of the scammers. Make sure all your equipment such as computers, tablets and
mobile phones are PIN/password protected in case they are lost or stolen. Make sure also that all
your equipment has antivirus software that is set to update automatically (Windows 8 has built-in
protection), but smart phones and tablets need this protection too! Identity theft is on the increase
so if you use social media then set privacy settings to the maximum and check them every so often
as well. Check your contact/friends lists too, this includes address books on computers, phones,
tablets and those held online such as Hotmail, Gmail and other email providers; remove any noncurrent contacts and any that you don’t know personally. Check your credit card and bank online
regularly, or if you don’t bank online then your monthly statements and particularly watch for
small amounts that you do not recognise, scammers will try out fraudulently obtained details with a
small amount first. If you suspect any fraudulent activity you can report it on actionfraud.org.uk,
and remember, if it seems too good to be true, then it will be……
Fibre Optic has arrived in the village, so contacting your provider could propel you into the 21st
century. The change to fibre is like the change we had in upgrading to broadband when we were
used to dial-up, quite a sea change… But do take care, if you are like me and with BT, you just
need to log on to BT.com and select the fibre optic service that you want, it could hardly be easier,
you just need to cough up for a fibre optic hub and all is done. However you may see a ‘survey’
popup after your visit to the BT website, in fact it could be from any company website, but
BEWARE, the ‘survey’ popup you might see after placing an order may not be connected to BT or
any company that you have placed an order with, but could be from a scammer. Tricks they
employ may be to offer a free gift for completing the survey, all you have to do is pay the small cost
for P & P, then they have your credit card details, can you guess what happens next?
Does your passport smell? Well it soon might do! Identification has been problematic in the past,
photos are not easy to distinguish so more complex systems have been tried to confirm identity,
retinal scanners have been used in the UK but their use was discontinued last year due to
difficulties in getting users to line up with the equipment and problems with misidentification.
Checking heart rhythms has also been tried but again there have been difficulties. Fingerprints
seem obvious, but high school students have mastered faking them with ‘Gummi Bears’. So now
your smell has been identified as being unique to you and may
soon become part of your passport.
I mentioned last month that Windows 8.1 is available to download but it can be problematic, make
sure you have your mains power supply plugged in and if you use your email address to start
Windows then be careful entering it, an error in doing so can cause a real nightmare. If you find
you cannot download Windows 8.1 it may because you are missing some essential updates, so run
Windows Update, download all important updates, install them and then try again.
++++++++++++++++++++++
oldcodger@petrockstowe.co.uk
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March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
Some exciting news about policing in
Torrington!
On the 20th January 2014 two additional
officers, Acting Sgt Mick Kearney and PC
Adam Williams, started working from
Torrington and they are dedicated to the
Torrington area in addition to the two
officers we already have – PC Mark
Simmons and PC Kerry Wilson.
This will mean that Torrington and its
rural areas will have 3 PCSOs and 4 PC’s
allowing us to be more proactive, provide a
quicker response and have better coverage
24/7. We also have another officer joining
the team later in the Spring.
While all of the officers will be tasked to
serve everyone in the community each
officer will have responsibility for specific
parishes and we will let you know who
your local point of contact will be when all
officers are in place.
It is hoped that these changes will allow us
to provide the best service we can and we
all look forward to what we can achieve
working together with you.
Contact details:
Torrington Station
Pathfield
Non Emergency 101
Crime Stoppers 0800 555111
TORRINGTON
EX38 7BX
Email: melissa.baker@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
or
torrington@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Solution on page 23
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March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
RESULTS FOR January
Results as follows:
Feb:
March:
1st
Paul Vogel
1
1st
Nicki & Dene Beason
63
2nd Fiona Crofts
10
2nd Marie Stevens
67
3rd Frank Deimert 40 3rd
Graham & Jane Martin 58
27th Feb Baxter Hall Arrive 11:30
Depart 12:30
Nothing until Monday 31st March
at Baxter Hall
Arrive 15.20 Depart 15.50
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Little Otters Baby & Toddler Group, Merton
Where-The Clinton Hall, Merton
When- Every Friday, 9am - 11.30am
Price- £3 per child, £4 per family
(Under 6 months free)
Little Otters Baby & Toddler Group, Merton provides all kinds of fun and stimulating activities for children aged 0-5 Years.
Activities available vary from messy play, story/singing sessions, role play to small world play and much, much more!!
A chance for Parents/Carers to have a catch up, while your children play in a safe environment. A snack & milk will be
provided for the Children and tea/coffee and biscuits for the Adults.
Please come along to the Clinton Hall, where you will be warmly welcomed!!
Little Otters Pre-School, Merton
Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays, 9am to 12pm, with a lunch club 12pm – 1pm.
£3 Per hour
We aim to provide a safe and stimulating pre-school environment and to work within a framework, which ensures
equality of opportunity for all children and families.
We believe that early year’s education is much more than teaching sounds, colours, numbers and letters. It is
about developing strong, curious and confident children. Our aim is to make learning fun and for children to
enjoy learning as they start their journey in life.
Your child is entitled to 15 hours, funded, the Term after they are 3 Years. We are also able to provide 2gether
funding for 2 Year olds.
For more Information please contact the school on 01805 603357 or email admin@clinton.devon.sch.uk
News from Little Otters….
This Half Term the Children have been busy discovering all about pets. They have enjoyed a visit from Stacey,
from the dogs trust, they learnt how to take good care of a pet dog. The Children have been doing art work, creating Goldfish in fish tanks, using bubble wrap & tissue paper. They have made collage pet pictures made from
real dog food!! Everyone in the School enjoyed the edible dog biscuits Little Otters made and sold for 10p each!
For more information about Little Otters Pre-School or The Clinton School, Merton please call 01805 603357.
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Food for thought
The Foodies page - by Paul Giles-Phillips – Petrockstowe’s resident chef
What’s in season?
March recipe
Spring marks the transition from winter to summer. The
days are longer and the nights are shorter. For me
spring means blossoms on the trees, bees making an
appearance in the garden and lambs on the hills. Spring
is exciting as the new season produce is inspirational;
lighter dishes take pride of place on our dining room
tables.
Venison Duglere with Herb croutons
Traditionally served with Turbot, but I find the
sauce compliments the gamey flavours of the
venison perfectly.

Sear 500g diced lean venison meat in a little
hot oil – then transfer to a s stew pot

Add a glass of merlot

Add 150g sliced white onion and 3 cloves of
crushed garlic (leave the garlic for 20 mins
after crushing to develop the flavour before
putting in the pot)

Add 1 heaped tsp of dried oregano

Add 1 TBSP sweet chilli dipping sauce
Special March Celebrations…

½ tsp cracked black pepper and ¼ tsp salt
St’Patricks Day, Mother’s Day, First Day of Spring
(around the 21st). British Summer Time (Last Sunday of
March)

Add 350g chopped Toms or a single tin –
bring the stew to the boil than reduce to a
simmer for and hour and a half until the meat
is tender.

Add 150ml cream to enrich the sauce

If you want to thicken your sauce at this point
– my little cheat is a tsp or two of onion gravy
granules – Your ready to serve!

For the crouton – mix ½ tsp oregano, pinch of
salt and pepper and ½ clove of crushed garlic
with 4 TBSP olive oil – use a large cookie
cutter and cut large circles from thick sliced
bread – soak them in the oil for a few seconds
and transfer to a hot frying pan until crisp
and smoky.
At it’s best during March…
Brussels Sprouts, Beetroot, Broccoli, Crab, Carrots,
Celeriac, Chicory, Clams, Cockles, Cauliflower, Eel,
Hake, john Dory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, lobster,
Lemon Sole, Leeks, Mussels, Oysters, Parsnips, Purple
Sprouting Broccoli, Red Chicory and Radicchio,
Spinach, Salmon, Scallops, Sea beet, Skate, Swede,
Salad Onions, Sorrel, Sea Bass, Rhubarb, Turnips,
Trout, Venison, Wild garlic and Winkles
March recipe
Salmon Tartar
A wonderful fresh fish dish for the adventurous foodie

Finely chop 200g super fresh, skinless, boneless
salmon fillet an place in a bowl

Make a curing liquid of 2 TBSP white wine vinegar, 1 TBSP lemon juice, 1 TBSP chopped fresh
coriander, 1 tsp wholegrain mustard, I tsp caster
sugar, large pinch of salt and pepper.
Enjoy with the rest of you bottle of Merlot and a
well earned rest.

Add your fish to the liquid and mix well – leave for
10 mins in the fridge to cure

Wilt 150g spinach in boiling water and refresh in
ice cold water – squeeze all of the liquid out.

Add spinach to 70g soft cheese, 1 tsp sweet chilli
dipping sauce, 1 tsp fresh chopped coriander and a
pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
Please email in to the Petrockstowe News with any questions or requests relating to your culinary adventures!
Divide the into 3 portions and press the spinach
into a cooking ring or cookie cutter. Then spoon
the fish mixture onto the top of the spinach. Leaving most of the liquid in the bowl. Press the fish
firmly and lift of the cooking ring. Drizzle the plate
with the curing liquid, garnish with a wedge of
fresh lime and peas shoots or herb salad.
Remove the skin from your pork joint to cook separately

The Food Surgery
The perfect Pork crackling!
Rub with a little oil – then lemon juice and finally a good
sprinkle of salt (I like smoked Maldon sea salt)
Roast within the last hour of your pork joint cooking
time on a high heat and watch the skin crisp to a perfect
crackling – It’s all down to the lemon juice!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT CONTINUES ON PAGE 27
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March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
Food for thought
The Foodies page - by Paul Giles-Phillips – Petrockstowe’s resident chef
Paul Giles-Phillips
Head chef – Restaurateur – Chef demonstrator – Consultant chef - Lecturer in professional cookery
Culinary skills Master classes in the Baxter hall
I am setting up a fortnightly culinary skills master class in the Baxter Hall in Petrockstowe for food
lovers of all abilities.
The sessions will run every two weeks – please see the Baxter Hall notice board or email me on the
address below.
The sessions will be on the following areas of food and culinary skill:

Sensational seasonal desserts – hot and cold desserts to be proud of

Fresh baked mouth-watering breads – focaccia, Naan breads, Portuguese breakfast rolls and
more

Silk purses and Sows ears – making stunning dishes from all of the knobbly cuts of meat.

Vegetarian cuisine – vegetable based dishes as side dishes or outstanding centre pieces. For
veggies and meaties!

French classics – looking at some of the classics that are easier to create than you may think

Asian and eastern inspired delicacies – show stopping curries and other Asian dishes

The ultimate fine dining roast simplified – including Christmas and other festive suggestions.

Fruit de mere – local seasonal Fish and some fantastic simple fish dishes to impress

Meze’s, Tapas and much more!
The sessions will cost £20 per person and include: 2 ½ hour tutorial, all
ingredients, tea & coffee, you get to eat what you have created so bring your own
wine and drinks – it’s a fantastic way to gain confidence in one of the best ways of
spending time relaxing – cooking!
Block booking sessions is available at a small reduction in price –
paulgilesphillips@hotmail.com – 077 487 96109
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March 2014 Edition ….View us online @ www.petrockstowevillage.co.uk
CONTACTS
Art Group
Keith Rooke
rookeys@krtoons.com
01837 811885
Baxter Hall Bookings
Josie Jeffs
josephinejeffs@yahoo.co.uk
01837 810493
Baxter Hall Secretary
Liz Morgan
Baxter Hall Treasurer
Ken Rayner
kenneth.rayner640@btinternet.com
01837 810778
Children’s Play Area
Heather Harris
h.harris24@btinternet.com
01837 810261
Cricket
Ken Heaman
Gardening Club
Neil and Carol Squires
neil.squires725@btinternet.com
01837 810567
History Group
Chris and Doreen Smith
Ann Luxton
annluxton@hotmail.co.uk
01837 810803
01837 810280
Methodist Chapel
Jessie Skinner
North Devon Journal Correspondent
Recreation Field Secretary
David Kelsey
davidindevon@btinternet.com
01837 810796
Louise Hansen
louisehansen1@btinternet.com
01837 811155
Senior Circle
Joan Walden
Skittles (Ladies)
Marion Steer
Skittles (Men's)
Mike Stapleton
St Petroc’s Church
Martin Warren
martinwarren535@btinternet.com
01409 281424
Team Vicar
Susannah Metz
susanna.metz@yahoo.com
01837 810621
Ladies Group
Caroline Pink
g.pink.petrock@btinternet.com
01837 810810
Neighbourhood Watch
Ann Tomkins
Caroline Pink
g.pink.petrock@btinternet.com
01837 801501
01837 810810
Ward Councillor
Cllr Philip Collins
01805 603656
The Royal British Legion Poppy
Appeal Organiser
Member of Parliament
Mike Banks
01837 810504
01837 810015
01805 624025
01837 810468
01837 810732
marion.steer@hotmail.co.uk
01837 810671
01805 601776
Mr Geoffrey Cox MP
tellgeoffrey@geoffreycox.co.uk
01237 459001
Parish Councillors
Chairman
William Luxton
01837 810280
Vice Chairman
Irene Fisher
01837 811097
Stevenstone Hunt
Julie Harris
mrs.j.harris@live.co.uk
01837 810898
Alan Hunkin
allan.ciderman@googlemail.com
01805 601287
David Kelsey
davidindevon@btinternet.com
01837 810796
Brian Cameron
Parish Clerk
01837 810222
Josie Jeffs
josephinejeffs@yahoo.co.uk
01837 810493
Heather Harris
h.harris24@btinternet.com
01837 810261
Petrockstowe News
Editor
Keith Rooke
petrocknews@gmail.com
01837 811885
Distribution
David Kelsey
davidindevon@btinternet.com
01837 810796
Police Contact details:
Torrington Station
Pathfield
TORRINGTON
EX38 7BX
Non Emergency:101
Crime Stoppers: 0800 555 111
Email: melissa.baker@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Contact details for Petrockstowe News
Email: petrocknews@gmail.com
Or by post to:
Petrockstowe News5 Townland Rise, EX20 3PQ
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