Added on Thursday 31st Oct 2024

Parish Council News November 2024

NOVEMBER 2024

Issue 6

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.

News since issue 5

• Padley Common. In early September, we hosted two sessions to share our vision for Padley Common, a much-loved space owned by the Parish Council. This area attracts dog walkers, families, nature enthusiasts, and provides grazing for commoners' animals. Unfortunately, it’s becoming overgrown, with invasive scrub threatening habitats and wildlife, including the rare marsh fritillary butterfly.
  We've consulted with commoners, Natural England, Devon Wildlife Trust, and Butterfly Conservation to enhance management. There’s consensus that we need to thin young saplings and manage stream flow to prevent erosion. We’ve applied for a grant to build boardwalks over muddy paths, and commoners will assist with grazing and clearing.
  At our September events, we were thrilled to see many people eager to help with this substantial ongoing project. Devon Wildlife Trust and Chagford Conservation Group are on board, with our first work party scheduled for Wednesday, November 6. While we understand Wednesdays may not work for everyone, we’ll organise additional workdays, including weekends, so there will be plenty of opportunities to contribute!
  
• Bellacouch Car park. More progress has been made. EV chargers and a pay and display machine have now been installed. The EV chargers won’t be operational until after the New Year, but the pay and display machine will be up and running as soon as the electrical connections are completed. Times and  rates will be the same as the top car park.

Other Items

• 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, but in November it will be 15th.
• Nature Talks in Endecott House. A really interesting series of free talks has been arranged by Chagford Nature Network over the next few months. All are on Tuesdays, 7.30 pm, followed by refreshments and discussion.
  On November 5th Matthew Kelly will be talking about The Women Who Saved England’s Environment.
  On November 26th Rob Wolton will be talking about hedges.
  There will be no talks in December but the topics for January, February and March will be in the next newsletter.
• Road closure. The A382 will be closed between Easton Cross and Halfway House from 4th November for a week, and the following week will have speed limits.

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