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

June 22, 2009: The July pump here.

Ruby Run pix online By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

June 18, 2009: Take a look here.

Chess pix on line By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

June 17, 2009: Pictures of that intense chess challenge in the Square last Saturday now on line here.

The Racing Centre of Devon? By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

June 14, 2009: Hatherleigh proved once again today that it at the heart of Devon, when the annual Ruby Run half-marathon started from the Town. 173 runners (and walkers) took part in the race to Holsworthy. Our picture shows the leaders passing Moorview just a few seconds after the start. In September, Hatherleigh hosts a second major race, this time a national one, when the Tour of Britain cycle race starts its 7th Stage from the Town on the 18th. Hatherleigh Town Council wants to use the Tour to put Hatherleigh well and truly on the map. The Carnival and Tar Barrels will feature strongly. Other ideas are being investigated and the Council is now meeting weekly to plan things under new Mayor Malcolm Jacobs. If you have suggestions, ideas or proposals then make sure a/your Councillor gets details so they can be considered early on. Perhaps we can make Hatherleigh the Racing Centre of Devon?

Checking things in the Square By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

June 14, 2009: Hatherleigh's annual Chess Challenge attracted 20 competitors, including two who just happened to be riding past on their motorbikes! The contest began in sunshine in the Square, but moved into Old School when rain started. Then it moved back out again as the sun shone once more, and then light rain started again ... but this time umbrellas were found to cover the remaining players. Somehow, three finalists resulted from the simple knock-out process and much discussion arose as to how to sort this out. A proposal to have each player play the other two failed (by then it was way past 6pm) but in the end a winner was decided in some way that we missed the details of. Another nice event for Hatherleigh, and there's talk of timers being used next year to keep things inside a tighter schedule.

Search and Rescue at Hatherleigh Care Village By Neil Price, Co-Editor

June 12, 2009: Hatherleigh Fire Service put the town’s new Care Village development to good use this week as they staged a search and rescue training exercise on the building site. Station Officer, Owen Ravenscroft told us “We are grateful to the operators of the new Care Village, PSP Healthcare and to the builders D R Jones for kindly letting us use this opportunity to practice our skills”. The Hatherleigh Fire Service comprises of ten retained fire fighters from the local community. They train every week at the station but have limited opportunities to practice on real sites, so the new Care Village building site provided the perfect venue. During the exercise several casualties (dummies) were placed within the building and Fire Fighter’s had to contend with a number of obstacles and challenges in searching for and retrieving them safely out of the building. Nick Hewitt Senior Project Manager from D R Jones said “The Care Village has proved to be ... Read the full story

'Allo 'Allo pix online By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

June 11, 2009: A selection of pictures from the recent 'Allo 'Allo production are now online here. Sorry about the delay. Hatherleigh Players tell us they will organise a picture show shortly to view the 300 or so photos we took so, if you're interested in seeing more, perhaps that's your opportunity.

Beer Festival 2009 By Neil Price, Co-Editor

June 11, 2009: FROM GLASTONBURY TO HATHERLEIGH On 25th July at Hatherleigh Community Centre the 1st Annual HATHERLEIGH BEER FESTIVAL will host hot rocking blues band The Hightown Crows (www.hightowncrows.co.uk). Fresh from their performance at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, the double bass led quartet are the main act at the event that will feature real ales and ciders from the West Country, a pork roast and support act (TBC). Tickets are £10 (which includes a 2009 Beer Festival Glass) and are available from the Paper Shop (01837 810224), Angel & Petals and on the door. If you would like to sponsor a barrel or have any other enquiries contact Pete Embling on 01837 811746. This years profits will benefit Hatherleigh Play Park.

Window on the George By Geoff Hodgkinson, Co-Editor

June 11, 2009: Following an impassioned email from Tony Conner - who lives next door to the site of the George - with his particular issues concerning the proposed rebuild - we've started a special page for feedback and comments . You'll find his views there now. If you'd like to submit something for this page too please email us.

Play Area Diary By Neil Price, Co-Editor

June 8, 2009: The Play Area in island park together with the skateboard ramp will produce "Hatherleigh's Adventure Island". A diary of events leading upto today and beyond is now on line here