Nat West Back in business in Hatherleigh By Neil Price, Co-Editor

March 2, 2010: Natwest have instigated a mobile Branch based at the Bridge Garage in Hatherleigh. They are open from 10:30am to 3:30pm weekdays. They cannot offer a full service but Natwest Customers can withdraw and pay in cash and Cheques as well as paying bills etc.

March Parish Pump now online By Neil Price, Co-Editor

February 26, 2010: The March here.

The Hole in the Wall Gang strike again! By Neil Price, Co-Editor

February 21, 2010: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid struck in Hatherleigh at 3am on Saturday morning and got away with £25,000! Whoever has any information should contact the police on 08452 777444. I understand they used a fork lift to remove the ATM from the wall.

Margaret Amazed by 41 Founders By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

February 20, 2010: Margaret Weeks of Exbourne was "amazed" on Wednesday evening this week to be confronted by 41 attendees at an inaugural meeting of a proposed Exbourne History Group. "You've me to blame for you all being here," she told the meeting as she introduced Steve Gazzard (middle) as Chairman pro tem of the embryonic society. Special guest Dee Gant (left) from Broadwoodkelly came along to explain how she had set up her History Group some years back, and to give tips and advice about what to do and how to go about things. "We did it with 6 people," she said, "so you should be proud of the interest you've generated here." After a short presentation by Dee and a lively Q/A session, Steve was officially voted in as Chairman, with Rose Williams (right) as Secretary and Nick Kenealy as Treasurer. Meetings will be held monthly on Tuesdays, starting March 16th.

2010 Ruby Run By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

February 15, 2010: At a meeting held on the 10th of February it was decided that the profit for this year's run will be shared 50/50 between Ruby Country and the Radio Devon Appeal to buy a new air Ambulance for North Devon. This Helicopter is based at Eaglescott near Dolton which is about five minutes flying from Hatherleigh. The race itself will be on the Sunday 13th June and will start in Holsworthy and finish in Hatherleigh. It's hoped to top the 200 runners figure, which is the record set last year.

Little Baroque Company By Neil Price, Co-Editor

February 11, 2010: Little Baroque Company comes to Lower Pulworthy on the edge of Hatherleigh on Saturday 13 th February as part of Concerts in The West Helen Kruger and Frouke Mooij violins, Kinga Gaborjani violoncello or gamba, Manuel Minguillón theorbo (except in Devon) Trio Sonatas by the Italian masters The Little Baroque company presents a feast of lively Italian trio sonatas, the most popular instrumental genre of the time, eagerly consumed throughout Europe by both the court and amateurs. This programme showcases some of the astonishing works of the Italian masters of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Corelli Sonata a 3 in B minor, opus 2 no 8 Vivaldi Cello Sonata no 7 in G minor Handel Trio Sonata in B flat major, opus 2 no 3 Campioni Trio Sonata no 5 in G minor Tartini Violino ... Read the full story

Drop in Sunday By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

February 8, 2010: You can tell spring is nearly here because snowdrops have been emerging for more than 3 weeks now, even while there was snow on the ground. Those curious creatures known as galanthophiles have also begun emerging, to open their estates to the general public. In fact Snowdrop Sundays are becoming more and more popular countrywide. Our 'Sunday' had a two-page spread of them yesterday. This one at Andrews Corner, Belstone, is the nearest to Hatherleigh that we know of (if you know of others closer, email us and we'll mention them here). Andrews Corner has a vast array of specialised coloured snowdrops, showing how far things have come since the 1850s when soldiers returning from the Crimea brought back 'milk flowers' for their gardens. One galanthophile told us that, today, bulbs for the more specialisied versions can cost up to £100!

ShelterBox Thanks By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

February 2, 2010: Bruce Luff, President of Hatherleigh Rotary Club, wrote as follows: "The Rotary Club of Hatherleigh would like to say 'Thank You' to all the residents of Hatherleigh who have supported us over the years. We would especially like to say 'Thank You' for your extreme generosity during our 'Aid for Haiti' appeal. Thanks to you we have been able to send FIVE Shelterboxes to Haiti via Shelterbox HQ in Helston. The people of Haiti will be needing support for many months if not years to come. If you wish to donate further or you have not donated yet, please drop into Phil Pyle’s auction rooms or Richard Tidball Insurance where donations can be left. Once again on behalf of the club: THANK YOU"

Twinning call By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

February 2, 2010: Okehampton and District Twinning Association is looking for new members. We understand that Hatherleigh once had its own twinning association and today some former members still take part in Okehampton's efforts, so we were asked to mention it here to see if anyone else would like to join in. Okehampton was twinned with Craon in the Mayenne region of France in 1977 and the shared vision of international understanding between the two towns and their surrounding areas is as strong today as it was then. People of all ages from this area – singles, couples and families – take part in the alternate August Bank Holiday visit or hosting, as well as fund-raising and social events through the year. There is no better way of getting to know the real culture of a nation than by staying in people's homes and lifelong friends are often made. It's also an ideal opportunity for both primary and secondary ... Read the full story

War Horse trip By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

February 1, 2010: Dennis Bater tells us that he's organising a trip to see the 'War Horse' play in London. The play, written by Michael Morpurgo, is based in and around Iddesleigh and Hatherleigh, and the WW1 western front. The trip is on Saturday 6th of March, returning on the 7th. The cost is £185 pounds with two sharing a room at the Hilton London Metro. There's an optional sight-seeing trip on Sunday morning (suggest Olympic Village progress?). Contact Dennis by email or 01409 231573.