Parish Council News
Added on Wednesday 10th Sep 2025
Landline switch to digital
BT are holding a drop-in session on the 15th of October between 10:00 and 14:00 in the National Park Visitors Centre Princetown, Tavistock Road, Princetown, Yelverton PL20 6QF
Come and speak to us about our new home phone service, Digital Voice
Landlines in the UK are going digital by the end of January 2027.
Although the landline isn’t going away, we know that you might have questions or would like to know more about this industry-wide change.
We'd love to talk to you about the UK's switch to digital landlines and will be visiting local towns and communities near you, where a member of our team will be on hand to tell you what Digital Voice is, why the change is necessary and what it means for you.
You don’t have to pre-book, just turn up.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/digitalvoice
Added on Friday 25th Jul 2025
Parish Council News July 2025
News since issue 10
- Parish Council Chair. Jill Millar has stood down as Chair due to health matters and at the last parish council meeting, the council elected Belinda Hayter-Hames as the new chair as of 14th July 2025.
- Bellacouch Car Park. Some of you may have given up all hope of the car park, and associated toilets, ever officially opening for business but much to our delight we have finally got an official opening date - the 1st August.To some of, of course, this will not be a delight at all, as the main outcome of officially opening the car park is that the parking will no longer be free!!
So please note that, from the 1st August, charges for parking will apply in the new Bellacouch Car Park. They will be at the same rate as for the top car park.
Charging and enforcement will be administered by West Devon Borough Council. Many thanks are due to the Parish Council Chair, and to our clerk, for all the hours and hours they have put into bringing this car park into full operation. - EV Chargers. Needless to say, not everything to do with the new car park is complete. The EV charges have yet to have their payment method sorted out and the solar panels have yet to be installed. However, we are hopeful that this will be finalised in the near future.
- Phone Box. We are looking further into the implications of taking responsibility for the phone box outside Blacks once it is decommissioned by BT. Such implications include electricity, insurance, costs of repair and maintenance, and costs of repainting and fitting out.
Thank you for giving us your ideas on what the phone box might be used for. The most popular of these is to house a new defibrillator, and we are looking further into this. Other suggestions included a flower stall, a book swap and an information kiosk, and we will give further consideration to all ideas. If you have any more ideas please let the clerk know: clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk - Digital Voice Switchover. BT is planning to change all our landlines from copper wiring to digital voice. It isn’t yet certain when this will happen but it could be later this year.Once the changeover has taken place landlines will no longer work in a power cut.
If you are landline dependent and vulnerable, or have a telecare pendant, and do not have a mobile phone (or a mobile phone signal) you should contact BT and ask an engineer to visit to supply a battery pack. This should be fitted free of charge before the main switchover and you won’t have to pay £150 for the battery backup unit.
Using this new technology may be challenging for some people who are not used to IT or who have memory problems. If you are aware of family members or neighbours who fall into this category please be aware of this issue and try to support them, and maybe contact BT on their behalf. Prolonged power cuts are not that frequent - but they do happen! - Market house toilets. The council thinks it might be time to take a look at the costs and implications of upgrading the toilets in the Square. They often get damaged and are really not up to modern day standards. Chagford, we feel, could do with some nicer public toilets, could it not?
- VJ Day celebrations. On the back of VE day comes VJ Day, Victory in Japan day, to be commemorated on the 15th August. To mark this 80th Anniversary of WW2, the parish council will host a coffee morning in Endecott House from 10am to 4pm, with a history display about the war fought in the Far East and of those from Chagford who were involved.
Other News
- A reminder of the new WDBC Grants. West Devon Borough Council has 2 new community grant schemes, part of their commitment to support the local community. The Community Halls Capital Grant Fund (to support community hall developments. Grants are available from £500 to £25,000) and the Community Arts and Activities Fund (to help support existing arts or activities or established groups wanting to start new initiatives. Grants are available from £500 up to £3,000.) These grants are now open for applications, offering support for a wide range of projects and activities that enhance community life.
For further information, go to:
www.westdevon.gov.uk/community-halls-grant
www.westdevon.gov.uk/arts-activities-fund
The deadline for applications for the first round of funding is midnight on Friday 22 August so don’t miss out!
- In addition the WDBC are making a Household Support Fund available up to March 2026, to help carers, young people leaving care and families with 3 children or more who are in need. For further information go to https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/other-available-support/household-support-fund
As always, a reminder that you are welcome to attend our regular monthly meetings, held in Endecott House on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm. The agenda is posted on the notice board on Wednesday or Thursday before each meeting.
If you would like to receive a regular copy of the newsletter by email please contact Ruth, the clerk, at clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk with your email address.
Belinda Hayter-Hames
belinda.hayter-hames@chagford-parish.co.uk
(Chair)
Added on Wednesday 16th Jul 2025
New car park opening
The new Bellacouch Car Park will be officially open on 1st August.
Note that charging for parking will begin from this date.
Added on Tuesday 15th Jul 2025
Digital Phone Switchover
The Council received a memo from David Boocock (Projects Officer, Conservation and Communities, Dartmoor National Park Authority) to say if you are aware of anyone with a telecare pendant in your communities that they will need to let BT know and BT will send an engineer out to make sure everything will be OK when ‘Digital Voice’ comes in.
Also, please also share that if you are ‘landline dependent’ (ie: you have no mobile signal) then you should register as a ‘vulnerable person’ with landline dependency – this will make sure that your landline switchover will be done before the main switchover and you won’t have to pay for the £150 battery back-up unit.
For more information see the Digital Phone Switchover website
Added on Friday 13th Jun 2025
Parish Council News June 2025
News since issue 9
- Parking.
Many of you will have seen that there is a Devon County Council (DCC) consultation about parking in Chagford.
The background to this is that in March 2023 the Parish Council held 2 consultation days (at the request of DCC) in Endecott House seeking views on whether we should continue with the current system of parking only in marked bays, or whether we should use the internationally understood system of yellow lines to indicate parking areas. The reason for the consultation was that the existing lines were wearing out and becoming invisible, and that for some time several people had called for yellow lines as these are widely understood. The majority view was to go for yellow lines, and we informed the Highways department of this.
Over 2 years later we have been sent this official consultation from Devon County Council. The plans they have come up with are not what we understood we had indicated – parking restrictions on their ‘Option 2’ are not what we believed we supported. As you will see, they propose that parking restrictions are removed altogether from several streets – particularly parts of Mill Street and Lower Street, rather than having yellow lines there. Please do give this some thought and respond if you have any views.
The timescale for this is tight – responses must be in by June 26th - and we would encourage everyone who has any views on the matter to respond ASAP. We will be posting a copy of the map on the council notice board but in the meantime it can be viewed via this link: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/parking/traffic-regulation-orders/chagford/ The plan is under the ‘Documents’ heading, and the online response form is under that.
- Padley Common. We now have a date for board walk construction in early September over the paths that are most used and get particularly muddy. These should protect some of the fragile land by the paths, as well as making it easier to walk around the common and we hope they will be ready before the winter.
- Phone Box. The phone box outside Blacks is being decommissioned but we have asked to keep the kiosk after the phone is removed and we are now looking for ideas on how to use it. A mini library? A flower shop? To house a new defibrillator? All suggestions welcome. If you have an idea please let the clerk know: clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk
- Bellacouch car park. Although it looks as if nothing has changed for months we really are nearer to getting the car park up and running with pay and display machines, and solar panels on the roof of the business units. The bureaucracy has been unbelievably complicated and slow but the end is in sight! And we hope it will be worth the wait when it is finished! We are not going to have any litter bins there but will put up signs saying ‘please take your litter home’.
- Market house toilets. The door handles and locks on the public loos are frequently ripped off and vandalised. This is not only a nuisance for people using the loos but incurs costs for the council to repair and replace – on what is now a regular basis. This impacts our council tax. If anyone has any ideas for the prevention of this, please let us know.
- VE Day celebrations. VE Day was celebrated in style at the beginning of May, with teas, a bonfire on Meldon and a special church service. Many thanks to the fire service for keeping the fire safe, as well as to everyone who helped with the fun.
Other News
- Save the date.
VJ Day will be remembered on August 15th. Watch out for more information.
- ·Chagford Youth Project held a sponsored abseil down Chagford church on May 10th. They raised an amazing £7,000 towards their funds. Their requirement for funds is ongoing to enable them to work with the young people of Chagford. You can also support them by becoming a friend of the project.
- New Grants. West Devon Borough Council is excited to announce the launch of 2 new community grant schemes as part of their commitment to support the local community. The Community Halls Capital Grant Fund (to support community hall developments. Grants are available from £500 to £25,000) and the Community Arts and Activities Fund (to help support existing arts or activities or established groups wanting to start new initiatives. Grants are available from £500 up to £3,000.) These grants are now open for applications, offering support for a wide range of projects and activities that enhance community life.
For further information, go to:
The deadline for applications for the first round of funding is midnight on Friday 22 August so don’t miss out!
Added on Thursday 17th Apr 2025
Parish Council News March 2025
Our annual assembly will be on April 17th – all welcome. 7.30pm Endecott House, followed by cheese and wine and soft drinks. Come and hear what we have been doing!
News since issue 8
Padley Common. We are optimistic that board walks will be constructed in the early summer over the paths that are most used and get particularly muddy. These should protect some of the fragile land by the paths, as well as making it easier to walk around the common. Work parties have halted for the time being to avoid disturbing nesting birds.
Swaling. There have been several recent fires around Chagford. Some of the fires have been at night (notably on Nattadon) and have been very worrying for people living nearby as the fires were close to their houses. The recent dry weather has meant the vegetation has burnt very readily and the fires have spread. The National Park has a clear code of conduct for swaling – available to read on their website. Swaling should not take place at night, and the National Park, the Fire Service, Natural England and the Commoners should all be notified in advance if swaling is planned. We have seen on the news the trouble that wildfires have caused on Bodmin moor – and also how much work they can give to the fire service. This impacts on our council tax which is used to fund the fire service.
Another burning issue. We were sad to see that someone used a disposable barbecue on one of the picnic benches in the jubilee skate park. These are made from recycled plastic. This has caused damage to the bench as you can see from this photograph:
Do please enjoy yourselves in the Jubilee Park, but if you use barbecues make sure they are on a heat proof surface – preferably on concrete!
Bellacouch car park. We will soon be getting solar panels installed on the roof of the business units to help supply the EV chargers. Car park charges will start when the mains gas work has been completed. We are considering issuing parking permits for the car park. More information on this will be available soon.
Nature Talks in Endecott House. We have had a fantastic selection of nature talks over the last few months. Many thanks to Lisa Schneidau and Tony Whitehead for arranging them. We have learnt about hedges and their ecology, flood prevention on Dartmoor, the reintroduction of pine martens on the moor, curlews and their struggles to survive, and other interesting topics. The last 2 talks have been packed out. The final talk in the present series is on Tuesday 22nd April – Right to Roam: access and nature on Dartmoor. 8 pm in the Jubilee Hall. (NB change of venue!)
Other News
Save the date. VE day is on May 8th. There will be a bring-and-share tea at the rec on May 5th, and we will have a beacon on Meldon on 8th as well as other events. Look out for the posters that will give more information.
Also – VJ Day will be remembered on August 15th.
Covid boosters. The spring Covid-19 vaccination has started and runs till June 17th. People aged 75 and over, and those with weakened immune systems are eligible. If you are unsure of your eligibility you can check online at http://www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. You can book appointments online at https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-service... or by calling 119.
Chagford Youth Project is holding a sponsored abseil down Chagford church on May 10th. The project urgently needs to raise funds to keep going and to provide support for our young people. Please consider joining the abseil or sponsoring someone who is doing it! You can also support them by becoming a friend of the project.
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has a dedicated debt team to offer advice to anyone struggling with finances. Details are below:
Follow us on Chagford Parish Council’s Facebook page – we use it to post news items.
As always, a reminder that you are welcome to attend our regular monthly meetings, held in Endecott House on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm. The agenda is posted on the notice board on Wednesday or Thursday before each meeting.
If you would like to receive a regular copy of the newsletter by email please email Ruth the clerk with your email address.
Added on Monday 16th Dec 2024
Lengthsman tender
Tenders are being sought for a Lengthsman with General Rural Skills to work two days per month for nine months of the year across the whole of Chagford Parish from April 2025 – March 2026.
Details of the Specification may be obtained from:
The Parish Clerk – Ruth Wright on 07399 815164 or
or download the specification here
Any queries with regard to the Specification please contact Jill Millar Chair of the Parish Council on 07928 322447 or
jill.millar@chagford-parish.co.uk
Tenders should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 8th January 2025 to the Clerk, Ruth Wright at Meldon View, Mill Street, Chagford, TQ138AR. Please submit the Tender in a sealed envelope with an indication on the envelope that it is a 'Lengthsman Tender' in order that all the Tenders will be opened and considered at the same time.
Alternatively if electronic submission is preferable, please submit to clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk. This will then be stored in a secure folder and accessed at the same time as any postal tenders.
Added on Monday 16th Dec 2024
Parish Council News December 2024
Issue 7
As always, a reminder that you are welcome to attend our regular monthly meetings, held in Endecott House on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm. The agenda is posted on the notice board on Wednesday or Thursday before each meeting.
If you would like to receive a regular copy of the newsletter by email please contact Ruth the clerk with your email address clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk
News since issue 6
Padley Common. We have organised another work party early in the New Year: Saturday January 4th, 10am-2pm. We will be clearing more young trees as well as some more tree thinning, also clearing some brambles. Please wear wellies and warm clothes – also gloves. We are really pleased that thanks to contributions from our donors, Friends of Padley Common have combined forces with Chagford Conservation Group and bought a tree popper (See picture below) to pull up saplings in the Rhos pasture areas. Bring a packed lunch if you want to stay the whole session. I am planning to bring some cake……
Bellacouch. We now have a beautiful information board in the Bellacouch car park with a map drawn by local artist Sara Nunan.
We are also pleased that the steps across the leat have now been repaired and stabilised – a non-slip grip is going to be put on the wooden steps.
Other Items
Late night shopping. This was a great success and many thanks to Susan Be, Lark Ash Matthews and the team for organising such a good event.
Snow. We had a surprise snow fall on 21st November before storm Bert. The square became a bit of an ice rink. If we have another snow fall it would be great if everyone could clear the pavement in front of their houses or shops – and perhaps clear your neighbour’s if they are not physically able – before the snow compacts into ice. There are salt bins but not near the square. Cooking salt does well, and it only takes a tablespoon of salt to melt a square metre of snow.
BT and Neighbourhood Watch. NW has partnered with BT to support the Digital Voice programme. BT are working to inform those who are still using an analogue home landline that this signal will be switched off in January 2027. There will be a drop-in session in the Jubilee Hall on January 21st, 1-3pm. We are concerned about how digital voice works in power cuts. Mobile phones run out of charge (if you have a mobile phone and a signal in your house) and we worry that some vulnerable people will lose contact with the outside world if analogue phones get switched off (which is planned for January 2027). I hope as many people as possible will go to this event to ask pertinent questions! More info on the website: https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/su...
Nature Talks in Endecott House. There are 4 more nature talks planned for the New Year – 7-9pm in Endecott House:
- Tuesday 28th January – Flooding and Dartmoor
- Tuesday 25th February – Pine Marten, Beaver and wildcat: species re-introductions on Dartmoor
- Tuesday 25th March – Curlew Conservation on Dartmoor
- Tuesday 22nd April – Right to Roam: access and nature on Dartmoor
Road closures. Wales and West are replacing our gas pipes and there will be quite a bit of traffic disruption with diversions and parking restrictions in the New Year – watch our Facebook page and website for details, and also notice boards in town.
Follow us on Chagford Parish Council’s Facebook page – we use it to post news items.
Added on Thursday 5th Sep 2024
Parish Council News September 2024
Issue 5
First, a reminder that you are always welcome to attend our regular monthly meetings, held in Endecott House on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm. The agenda is posted on the notice board on Wednesday or Thursday before each meeting.
If you would like to receive a regular copy of the newsletter by email please contact Ruth the clerk with your email address
News since issue 4
• The Parish Council has a logo. Now at the top of this Newsletter. Back in March we held a logo competition and we are delighted to show you the result! Thanks to Cornelia Holyoak, our competition winner and local artist Steve Dooley, this wonderful design has been created, that captures the essence of Chagford.
• Bellacouch Car park is being used more and more. We have now signed a contract with National Grid to provide us with an electricity connection so that we can install the pay and display machine that has been ordered. National Grid has a lead in time of 12 weeks so it is likely to be late autumn before it is functional – it will continue to be free till then. We will also be installing EV chargers, but these won’t be in operation till the New Year.
• Padley Common. Plans are afoot to do some work on Padley Common. Come and find out more on September 6th and 7th in Endecott House. 2-6pm both days. We will have information about what is planned, and why. And there will be tea and cakes.
• The Men’s loos in the market house have had recurrent problems. Someone (or some people) has repeatedly removed or broken the door handles to the cubicles. This causes difficulty for people wanting to use the loos and costs the PC money to repair or replace the handles. Please could the culprits find something less destructive to amuse themselves.
Other Items
• Dog poo. Not a pleasant topic, but one that generates a lot of feeling. Most dog owners are responsible and clear up after their dogs when they are out walking. However, a small minority do not, which can be unpleasant for others if they accidentally step in the pile; it can pose a significant health hazard – particularly to children playing in the grass where dogs have been – and it can cause pollution to the river if it is near the riverbank. Please – be a responsible dog owner and clear up after your dog. Dog poo can be put into general household waste, and bags of dog poo should not be left hanging on hedges or gate posts. West Devon no longer provides dog poo bins (although they continue to empty the ones we already have at not inconsiderable expense to the Parish Council). So – please pick it up and take it home! Along with any other litter.
• Wales and West gas supplier will be doing a lot of work to renew gas pipes in the autumn and this will cause some inevitable disruption to our roads between November 2024 and spring 2025. We will post more detailed information on our noticeboard and Facebook page when we have it.
• Come and chat to us at the Flea Market. We share a table with our district councillor Jane Elliott at the Friday morning Flea Market – usually the first Friday of the month.
• We continue to hear concerns from people about traffic problems in Chagford – people driving too fast, not paying attention to narrow roads and driving dangerously on the pavements, potholes etc. you can Report a problem on the Devon County Council website – google ‘DCC highways report a Problem’ and you should get to the right page.
Feedback please
Please feel free to give us feedback on our newsletter clerk@chagfordparish.co.uk and let us know what else you would like us to tell you about.
And do follow us on Chagford Parish Council’s Facebook page – we use it to post news items.
Jill Millar
(chair)
Added on Saturday 6th Jul 2024
Parish Council News July 2024
First, a reminder that you are always welcome to attend our regular monthly meetings, held in Endecott House on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm.
If you would like to receive a regular copy of the newsletter by email please contact Ruth the clerk with your email address clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk
News since issue 3
- Bellacouch Car park is being well used! Signs for the footpaths into town have been installed so there are not so many lost visitors asking the way. The information board with a beautifully illustrated map by local artist Sara Nunan will soon be installed. Parking is still free, but a Pay and Display machine will be installed as soon as we can. There are still some rather complicated issues that have delayed this. We will publicise on our Facebook page as well as on notice boards when this is going to happen. We also hope to install EV charging points in the not too far distant future.
- Topics raised by parishioners at the Annual Assembly included:
- Streetlighting and Redesign of the square – We are in contact with Devon County Council about both these and will keep you updated with any progress.
- Streetlighting and Redesign of the square – We are in contact with Devon County Council about both these and will keep you updated with any progress.
- June 6th
saw the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. We held a cream tea in Endecott House which raised £150 which was donated to the British Legion.
- There was also a great beacon fire lit on Meldon at dusk. We are very grateful to the fire service for building the fire and keeping it safe.
- The green spaces at Bellacouch are now owned by the Parish Council and have been mown for us for the first time. A management plan has been drawn up by a group of residents to support wildlife as well as giving space for people to relax, and children to play.
- Our Facebook page (Chagford Parish Council) has been getting more attention, and we use it to post news items. Do try and follow it if you can. We are also in the process of updating the website.
- Other Items
- Wales and West gas supplier will be doing a lot of work to renew gas pipes in the autumn and this will cause some inevitable disruption to our roads between October and spring 2025. We will post more detailed information on our noticeboard and Facebook page when we have it.
- Chagford Community Allotment is now open. It is a place to relax, connect with nature and enjoy peace in a beautiful location just above the Jubilee Field which is above the top car park. It is about health and wellbeing, connecting with nature and the food we eat, community, ecology and wildlife. It is supported by Wellmoor. There are 2 more open sessions with tea and cake and a tour on Sunday 21st July and Saturday 17th August. Or join one of the weekly work parties (planting, weeding etc) every Wednesday morning, weather permitting, 10am-1pm.
- Free Summer Concerts in St Michael’s church are with us again every Friday lunchtime at 1.10pm until the end of August. There is a wonderful programme of music and they are usually announced by Chagford’s town crier. Thanks to Friends of St Michaels for organising these, and to all the generous sponsors.
- Come and chat to us at the Flea Market. We share a table with our district councillor Jane Elliott at the Friday morning Flea Market – usually the first Friday of the month.
- If you have any concerns about anything to do with roads and transport (eg street lights, potholes, parking etc) you can Report a problem on the Devon County Council website – google DCC report a Problem and you should get to the right page.
Feedback please
Please feel free to give us feedback on our newsletter clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk and let us know what else you would like us to tell you about.
Jill Millar
jill.millar@chagford-parish.co.uk
(chair)
Added on Tuesday 7th May 2024
Parish Council News May 2024
Issue 3
First, a reminder that you are always welcome to attend our regular monthly meetings, held in Endecott House on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm. If you would like to receive a regular copy of the newsletter by email please contact Ruth the clerk with your email address.
News since issue 2
• At last, the Bellacouch Car park is open and being used! There are still some important features that are not yet in place. Signs for the footpaths into town have not yet been installed – but will be in the pipeline very soon. An information board with a beautifully illustrated map by local artist Sara Nunan is being made and will soon be installed. Parking is free at the moment, but a Pay and Display machine will be installed at some stage in the next few months. We will publicise on our Facebook page as well as on notice boards when this is going to happen. We also hope to install EV charging points in the not too far distant future.
• We are delighted to announce that our logo competition was won by Cornelia Holyoak. She will be working with a local artist to complete her design. Here she is receiving her prize, a voucher to spend at Astor’s, our fabulous book and art store.
• Our Parish Annual Assembly took place on April 18th and was very well attended. Our community raised several valid points; these will be followed
up in the first instance at our monthly meetings. Watch out for a copy of the minutes on the notice board. It was followed by cheese, wine and soft drinks which were enjoyed by many.
• Topics raised by parishioners at the Annual Assembly included:
Streetlighting – Is it too bright? How much is it affecting wildlife? Is it on for the right times at night?
Redesign of the square – now that we have more car parking space in the new car park could part of the square be pedestrianised?
• Our Facebook page (Chagford Parish Council) has been getting more attention, and we use it to post news items. Do try and follow it if you can. We are also in the process of updating the website.
Other Items
• Rogue Traders - A warning from South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership
We have been made aware of incidents in Devon of rogue traders knocking on doors and suggesting work needs carrying out on the owner’s roof. These people are giving the false impression of being a local reputable company making it difficult to instantly recognise as a rogue trader. Advice from the Local Authority, Devon and Cornwall Police and Trading Standards is not to employ anyone knocking on your door touting for business; they have asked town and parish councils to advertise this message in their newsletters and on local notice boards so we can get this message to those residents who are not regularly on social media. For more information visit www.tssw.or.uk/doorstep_crime
• Asian Hornets
You may have heard about Asian Hornets. An Asian hornet arrived in France from China in 2005. It had accidentally been shipped there with some pottery. Since then, it has bred and spread steadily through Europe and was first found in the UK in 2016. It hunts, kills and eats bees, both wild bees and honeybees, and many other pollinating insects. In has greatly reduced the number of honeybee colonies in Europe and is a very serious threat to bees. Our European bees have not evolved to defend themselves against the Asian hornet, whereas they survive happily alongside our native European hornet. The Asian hornet looks different to the European hornet – it is smaller and has yellow legs and a red head.
The European hornet has brown legs and a yellow head. There is a very useful free App which you can get on a smart phone called Asian Hornet Watch which has good pictures for identification as well as the facility to notify a possible sighting. If you think you have seen one, don’t kill it but report it, either using the App, or email alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk. If seen, the aim is to track them back to their nest and destroy the nest. The picture below shows an Asian hornet on the left and a European hornet (much bigger) on the right.
• Verges
Wild flowers are blossoming on our verges. A lovely early purple orchid has appeared on the bank past the school.
We need to celebrate and protect these plants and avoid mowing them!
• Chagford Library
Our library is on the side of the Jubilee Hall, beside the car park. It is open Tuesdays 3-5pm, and Fridays and Saturdays 10.30-12.30pm. In addition to being a lending library for books for all ages, it has free access to computers and Wi-Fi. Library membership is free. Printing, photocopying and laminating are available for a small charge. The library hosts regular events for adults (eg Knit & Natter) and children (eg Bounce & Rhyme, and Lego Builders). Library card holders also have free access to digital services such BorrowBox (eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers and eMagazines), Naxos Music Library (over 2 million classical music tracks), Ancestry.com and Which.
Date for your diary
D-day celebrations
Chagford will be joining the national celebrations for the 80th anniversary of D-day on June 6th. Put the date in your diary. A beacon will be lit on the top of Meldon at 9.15pm and there will be other activities as well. Watch out for more detail on the notice board and on our Facebook page.
Feedback please
Please feel free to give us feedback on our newsletter (clerk@chagfordparish.co.uk) and let us know what else you would like us to tell you about.
Jill Millar
jill.millar@chagford-parish.co.uk
(chair)
Added on Tuesday 5th Mar 2024
Parish Council News February 2024
Issue 2
First, a reminder that you are always welcome to attend our regular monthly meetings, held in Endecott House on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm.
If you would like to receive a regular copy of the newsletter by email please contact Ruth the clerk with your email address clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk
News since issue 1
- The car park at Bellacouch really is nearly open (and might even be open by the time this newsletter is ready). Watch out for announcements on the website, social media, and posters. Initially it will be free, but we will be installing a pay and display machine so please watch out for this and don’t get caught out with a parking ticket. We also hope to install some Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points, but this will take a bit longer.
- We have a Facebook page – Chagford Parish Council. We will post news and updates here – do follow us if you are a Facebook user.
- We want a logo for Chagford Parish Council and are having a competition to choose a design. If you have an idea please email a copy to the clerk clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk . Closing date 31st
March 2024
- On February 3rd, Kate Royston from Tamar Energy Community (TEC) came to a coffee morning at Endecott House. She shared expert advice with people wanting to make improvements to the insulation and/or heating in their homes. She has arranged some home visits for people who wanted more information and an energy assessment of their homes. She can also give advice about grants to help with home insulation.
- TEC will be offering free training to people who might be interested in becoming community energy advisers. Doing this training would enable you to advise people how to make their homes more energy efficient and lower their energy bills. If you would be interested in this training then get in touch with Kate and her colleagues at Tamar Energy Community on 0800 233 5414 or email hello@tamarenergycommunity.com.
- A new housing development is proposed to build about 40 new homes in Lamb Park. Some of you came to a presentation by the architects in Endecott House on February 6th. Their next step is to seek outline planning permission from Dartmoor National Park. We do not yet have any further details so keep your eyes open for more news.
- Chagford tree nursery has a very large collection of young trees – all locally grown from seed from local native trees. These are available free to anyone who wants to plant trees in their garden or on any land they own. If you would like one or some, please contact Claire Ash Wheeler millpond@ashwheeler.com
- Proper Job held a bird nest box making workshop on February 14th. This was supported by grants from the Parish Council and also South West Water. It was enormous fun and 25 beautiful nest boxes were made.
Dates for your diary
The Parish Council Annual Assembly will be held in Endecott House on April 18th at 7.30 pm. Please put this date in your diary. There will be a variety of presentations and updates.
D-day celebrations
Chagford will be joining the national celebrations for the 80th anniversary of D-day on June 6th. Put the date in your diary. A beacon will be lit on the top of Meldon at 9.15pm and there will be other activities as well. Watch out for more detail.
Other Items
Update on Grants available for Chagford Parishioners
The second round of grants for community projects from Chagford Community Trust will be available soon. Closing date for applications is 30th March 2024. See their website for further details https://chagfordcommunitytrust.org.uk/
Feedback please
Please feel free to give us feedback on our newsletter clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk and let us know what else you would like us to tell you about.
Jill Millar
jill.millar@chagford-parish.co.uk
(chair)
Added on Friday 16th Feb 2024
Funding opportunities
Devon County Council have published a list of funding and opportunities for residents.
The link below will go to the list of funding categories and from there you can drill down into the category you are interested in:
Added on Tuesday 16th Jan 2024
Energy Saving Week 2024
Tips to reduce energy usage
1. Install low energy light bulbs
2. Always turn taps off
3. Switch off lights when leaving the room
4. Close and tuck in curtains to keep in the heat
5. Take showers, not baths
6. Keep showers to 4 minutes
7. Wash laundry at 30 degrees
8. Unplug appliances when not in use
9. Draught proof gaps
10. Don't overfill the kettle
Added on Tuesday 9th Jan 2024
Parish Council News January 2024
The aim of this Parish Council newsletter is to let you know more about what we are doing. We aim to produce a newsletter every 2-3 months. First, a reminder that you are always welcome to attend our regular monthly meetings, held in Endecott House on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm. And please do keep an eye on the website where you can see who we are – and our photos, as well as latest updates.
We will post this newsletter on the PC notice board, as well as on Facebook. If you would like to receive a regular copy by email please contact Ruth the clerk with your email address clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk
What have we been doing?
- Since the local elections in May we have been learning to work together as a team. Our 5 new councillors have been settling into their roles, bringing lots of enthusiasm and new knowledge, and learning how the council works, and our new clerk, Ruth Wright, is picking up the reins of her new role.
- As I’m sure you are all aware, the new car park at Bellacouch is still not open – but this is not through want of trying. Lots of activity has been going on behind the scenes and we are now just waiting for Devon Highways to finish their signage, to complete the legal business of handover from CG Fry, and to install ticket machines.
- We have been transferring our financial records onto a special online system designed for Parish Councils to make our accounting more efficient and transparent. Our finances are currently on track to stay within budget for the year, and we have some savings ear-marked for a new graveyard in the future.
- We are working closely with Jane Elliott who is our new West Devon Borough Councillor (Green Party) and regularly comes to our meetings.
New Climate Crisis Working group
- The climate and ecological emergency means we have set up a new working group. We have held a series of 3 free public talks about our energy use, our energy bills, and how to make our homes more efficient and comfortable.
- In the New Year we plan to train some volunteers to act as Community Energy Champions. The aim is to help individual households understand more about their home energy use, how to insulate their houses and reduce heating costs, and how to apply for any grants they may be eligible for.
- On Saturday February 3rd there will be a coffee morning in Endecott House to find out more about this and come and talk about possible ideas to help with your energy use and home insulation with Kate Royston from Tamar Energy Community. Put the date in your diary!
- If you are interested in doing the Community Energy Training (which should be really interesting and useful) please contact councillors Frances Everson or Jill Millar.
- We also hope to link with West Devon Borough Council and establish a group of local ‘Wildlife Wardens’ to help understand and increase biodiversity. All Parish Councils are now legally required to have a policy for protecting and increasing biodiversity and we have recently adopted our policy.
Update on Grants available for Chagford Parishioners
- Chagford Community Trust (which has been very involved with the Bellacouch Development and owns the business units there) has just started to give their first round of grants for community projects. See their website for further details https://chagfordcommunitytrust.org.uk/
- Chagford Show also has a community fund and donates a percentage of its profits to local community activities and organisations.
They prefer to support applications from:- Organisations that have a wide impact on the local community and the individuals in it.
- Organisations that present a well-documented need for a particular project.
- Charitable organizations which in themselves help others in the community.
- Organisations which demonstrate that the funding for which they are applying will have a long-term effect
Applicants need to apply in writing with full details of their request, to the Secretary at:
via Email: chagfordshow@gmail.com (preferably)
Or by post at 42 The Square, Chagford TQ13 8AH
Note that the deadline is 31st January 2024 - The Parish Council gives out a number of grants every year – so far this year we have given grants to:
- The swimming pool
- The business community for Xmas late night shopping
- The Conservation group
- The Bowling club for some equipment
- The netball team for new T-shirts
- The film festival
Additional Thoughts
Litter bins in the skateboard park have been emptied up till now by Parish Councillors, which is a bit of a safety and hygiene hazard as they are not being properly used. We intend to remove them, and instead to have a sign saying ‘please take your litter home’.
The Borough Council (who organise emptying of public bins) do not recycle rubbish in public bins, and there is a significant cost to emptying which would increase our council tax. We also do not intend to have litter bins in the new Bellacouch car park, but again to have a sign asking people to take their litter home.
Feedback please
Please feel free to give us feedback on our newsletter clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk and let us know what else you would like us to tell you about.
Jill Millar
jill.millar@chagford-parish.co.uk
(chair)
Added on Friday 17th Nov 2023
Tender for Handyman
Tenders are being sought for a handyman/odd job person to fulfil jobs as they arise within Chagford Parish. Work carried out will be paid at an hourly rate. Jobs will vary but currently include:
- Mending of guttering above 1 Market House
- Fixing of a baby changing unit in the Female toilets in the Market House
- Fixing a new notice board to the wall outside the Birdcage Café
Details of the specification can be obtained from the Parish Clerk: Ruth Wright 07720780278 or e-mail clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk
A member of the Council will be available to walk around the area with you and explain what needs to be done. Please contact the Clerk arrange this.
Tenders should be submitted by midday on Friday 7th December 2023, addressed to the Clerk at Meldon View, Mill Street, Chagford TQ13 8AR.
Within your tender please include:
Relevant qualifications and experience
Relevant commitment to Health and Safety Issues
Relevant risk assessments required to carry out the jobs mentioned above
Relevant insurance details
The time frame you realistically expect to be able to attend to a job
Hourly rate
Please submit your tender in a sealed envelope with ‘Handyman tender’ clearly written on the outside of the envelope in order that all tenders may be opened and considered at the same time.
Added on Friday 17th Nov 2023
Tender for Tree Work
Tenders are being sought to cut down, cut back and tidy the trees hanging over the Bellacouch Carpark, Chagford. It is anticipated the work, alongside a general tidy of the area, will involve:
- Removal of 1 leylandii
- Removal of 1 dead cherry tree
- Lime tree to be tidied to height of street lamp
- Removal of ivy growing around Sycamore tree
Details of the specification can be obtained from the Parish Clerk: Ruth Wright 07720780278 or e-mail clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk
A member of the Council will be available to walk around the area with you and explain what needs to be done. Please contact the Clerk to make arrangements.
Tenders should be submitted by midday on Friday 8th December 2023, addressed to the Clerk at Meldon View, Mill Street, Chagford TQ13 8AR.
Within your tender please include:
Relevant qualifications
Relevant commitment to Health and Safety Issues
Relevant risk assessments required to carry out the tender.
Relevant insurance details
Planned time span required for the work (with an understanding that owners of cars parked directly next to the trees will need notice to move their cars)
Cost of the work
Please submit your tender in a sealed envelope with ‘tender’ clearly written on the outside of the envelope in order that all tenders may be opened and considered at the same time.
Added on Monday 3rd Apr 2023
Coronation of King Charles III
CHAGFORD PARISH CELEBRATES
Sunday 7th May
Chagford Parish Council invites all the Parishioners to Lunch on the Jubilee Field at 12.30 p.m.
Please bring you own cutlery, chairs and picnic rug
Following Lunch
There will be a presentation of Coronation Mugs to all Parishioners under 16 years of age on the 1st September 2022
Monday 8th May
Celebrate the work of all the Community Volunteers
Bring your picnic to share on the grounds of Chagford House, between 12 noon and 4.00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome.
Added on Sunday 2nd Apr 2023
Parish Assembly
The Annual Chagford Parish Assembly will take place on Thursday 20th April 2023 in Endecott House at 7:30pm.
Everyone is welcome
The Parish Meeting by law may discuss all parish affairs and pass resolutions.
AGENDA
- Apologies
- To confirm the Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly held on Thursday 21st April 2022
- To receive a report from:
- Dr. Kevin Bishop, Dartmoor National Park Authority
- David Lohfink, CG Fry and Son
- Neil Loden, Chagford Church and Churchyard Trust
- Chagford Combined Charity
- The Providence School Charity
4. To receive the following Financial Statements
- The Audited Accounts of the Parish Council from 1st April 2021 – 31st March 2022
- The Financial Statement of the Parish Council from 1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023
5. To receive The Annual Report of the Parish Council – Chairman Cllr: Gay Hill
6. To receive the DCC report from Cllr: James McInnes
7. To receive the WDBC report from Cllr: Nicky Heyworth
8. Business Brought forward at the Chairman’s discretion
Parishioners who wish to submit questions to be presented at the meeting must do so before Friday 14th April 2023 at 12 noon
clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk or to Tattenham, Easton, Chagford TQ13 8DQ
Added on Friday 13th May 2022
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
CHAGFORD PARISH COUNCIL PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
THE CELEBRATIONS INCLUDE ALL CHAGFORD PARISHIONERS
Thursday 2nd
June
Beacon on Meldon Hill to be lit at 9.45 pm.
Light Refreshments will be available.
Meet in the Square at 8.45 p.m. to walk up to the top of Meldon
Friday 3rd
June
Cream Tea in Endecott House.
Everyone welcome.
3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Saturday 4th
June
Coffee Morning in Endecott House plus a raffle.
10.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon.
Sunday 5th
June
Chagford Parish Council are holding a Picnic in the Jubilee Park for everyone at 1.30 p.m.
Please bring your own cutlery and crockery plus your picnic rug or chair. Picnic lunch will be provided and drinks will be available.
All contributions will be welcome and please bring food if you have a special diet.
Following lunch, Jubilee Medallions will be presented to all parishioners under the age of 16 on 1st September 2021.
Added on Tuesday 15th Mar 2022
Get Faster Broadband
The Government has said that everyone should have ‘decent’ broadband. They brought into force legislation that gives eligible UK addresses the right to request a ‘decent and affordable’ broadband connection through the BT Universal Service Obligation Scheme. The Government will contribute £3,400 per premise for fibre – irrespective of whether the premise is residential or a business.
A decent connection is defined as one that can deliver a download speed of at least 10Mbps and an upload speed of at least 1Mbps. Affordable means it doesn’t cost more than £46.40 a month.
While your fixed line broadband may have a connection speed of less than 10Mbps, if you are able to get fixed wireless or mobile broadband then you are unlikely to be eligible.
If you think you may be eligible then please use the contact form to register your interest.
Whilst the above really only applies to premises in remote locations the Government has also set a minimum target of 85% gigabit coverage by 2025. (Gigabit means 1000Mb download speeds!). In reality this means towns and cities.
However, Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) has been set up to help achieve superfast broadband speeds for the rural areas of Devon and Somerset which are outside of the 85% coverage. There may be grants available for premises where the download speed is less than 30Mb. These are typically for a group of premises or businesses banding together to create a community scheme.
Please get in touch with us if you want faster broadband - we need to assess the demand and the larger the groups of premises the more likely it is that a community scheme will be funded.
Added on Friday 4th Feb 2022
Councillor Vacancy
A vacancy exists on the Parish Council, due to a recent resignation, which is to be filled by co-option. The term of office will run until May 2023 when there will be Parish Council Elections.
If you would like to serve as a Councillor please apply, in writing to the Clerk, Tattenham, Chagford TQ13 8DQ or by email, clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk, providing brief background details and stating why you would like to join the Council by Monday 21st February 2022.
To qualify, a person must be a British subject, aged over 18 years old and be on the electoral role, must reside in, or within 3 miles of, the Chagford Parish boundary or occupy as owner or tenant any land or premises therein, or have their principal or only place of work there, and must not be disqualified from holding office as a Councillor.
If you require further information, please contact the Clerk to the Council, clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk or the Chairman, chairman@chagford-parish.co.uk or use the contact form on this website.
Date 4th February 2022
Signed S. Curtis
Added on Friday 3rd Dec 2021
Christmas Waste Collections
West Devon Borough Council waste and recycling collections over Christmas 2021
For information on what items can and can't be recycled see the West Devon Borough Council Recycle Christmas page.
Please note:
If you subscribe to the garden waste service, you can put your real Christmas Tree out for recycling alongside your green sacks between 10 January and 21 January 2022.
It's now even easier to recycle your food waste, as you can line your caddy with any bag or liner such as salad bags, cereal bags, bread bags or carrier bags.
Unfortunately we can't recycle cards containing glitter or plastics, or any wrapping paper.
Added on Thursday 11th Nov 2021
Consultation Follow up
Thank you to everyone who spared the time to drop into the Consultation and write their comments.
The full report will be given at the Annual Parish Assembly in April 2022
In the meantime, all the comments will be reviewed and considered alongside the topics.
There will be small groups of Councillors and Parishioners who will explore the ways that everything can move forward.
The 20mph will require working with Highways and Devon County Council in order to reach a conclusion which is suitable for all concerned.
The Bike Stands and the reordering of the Square will need to look at insurance liability, who will pay, who will maintain and take responsibility for the projects, so there is a lot to consider.
It is evident that the Parishioners would like a Burial Ground including Woodland Burial, Natural Burial and Cremation. Initially it will be important to work with members of the Church as a suitable piece of land is difficult to find.
If you would like to be part of one of the groups, please contact the Clerk (clerk@chagford-parish.co.uk)
