NEWSLETTER FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL July/August 2007

• David Bettoney – Parish Clerk

Thanks to those who produce the Church newsletter and help with the production of this.

The Parish Council is now:

•   John K Welsby CBE – as Chairman
•   Nick Burgess –  as Deputy Chairman
•   Mike Bostock
•   Howard Castle
•   Erica Eden
•   Bryan Hollingsworth
•   L H George Livingstone-Learmonth

The next meeting is 20th August 2007 at 7:30pm in the village hall

I start with an item about the recent sad death of Nick Tyler. He was one of the first people that I met in the village some three years ago. I cannot say that I knew him well but was struck by his unfailing courtesy and quiet good humour to me and, I suspect, to all those with whom he came in contact. I felt very privileged to have attended his funeral and am extremely glad that we do have the village sign to remember him by.

News items

At our next Parish Council meeting on 20th August 2007 an officer from Devon County Council is going to speak to us about the “Parish Paths Partnership” or “P3” as it is known. I do now have a large-scale map of the parish showing all the paths and also an accurate view of the parish boundary. This will be put up for display in the village hall. I think that most of the paths are quite well used and I would be grateful if at some time we could arrange for all the paths to be walked and to assess their condition. The “P3” scheme implies that Devon County Council give the parish some money and we take over the routine maintenance.

RATS!

There have been reports of quite severe infestations of rats in the village and I attach some information from Mid Devon District Council If you have a problem with rats you can contact Mid Devon District Council who offer a free service to domestic properties if the occupier is in receipt of some benefits. If you are not eligible for the free service the Council has negotiated a discount on your behalf with this contractor: Pest Control Services - 01392 841080 or Pest Contractors can be found in the Yellow Pages under Pest Control. Hopefully though, if you follow the precautions below, you will never require this service.

About rats

The sight of a rat generally provokes a strong reaction. We associate them with dirt and disease and whilst they are not dependent on us our habits often favour them and they are quick to take advantage of circumstances or exploit opportunities we deliberately or inadvertently create. All in all it is in everyone's interest to keep their numbers to a minimum.

Preventing rats in your home and garden

There are a number of preventative steps that we ourselves can take by good practice and maintenance.

• Ensure that all holes into property –possibly caused by building work over the years – are sealed and that air-vents have grilles
• Ensure that rubbish is put out only at the time appropriate for collection and that rubbish of any sort is not allowed to accumulate
• Food waste [wrapped in newspaper and not plastic bags] can go into the brown bins together with cardboard and garden waste
• A tidy garden will avoid many problems including rats, and neighbours will appreciate it too!
• Holes in flowerbeds, under sheds - favoured locations

Flooding!

As far as I am aware there has not, despite the awful summer, been any in the village. If we contrast this with the areas which have been affected we realise, perhaps, how stretched the UK central services could be. The Parish Council is preparing a local Emergency Plan and we shall be sending out a questionnaire to all in the village later this year. Please do complete it to ensure that we know what you can contribute and what you may need. I must emphasise that the survey will be 100% confidential. The Parish Council is registered under the Data Protection Act and only those who need to see information will see it

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