Toddle along this year
South Zeal Baby and Toddler Group continue to offer a morning out and some friendship with fun. The success of the group lies in its achievement of regularly bringing people together in a convenient location, the meeting room at the South Zeal Methodist Chapel. A parent can pop in there on a Wednesday morning during school term time for coffee and a chat whilst their child meets other children and enjoys playing with a wide range of toys for a fun filled morning. For further information, contact Jennifer Frangleton on 01837 840519.

Garden club’s new year plants and pleasures
Guest speaker at the Drewsteignton Gardeners’ Club on Monday, 8th January will be Patti O'Brien who will be giving an illustrated talk on foliage and, as always new members are always welcome to go along to the meeting being held in the Parish Rooms at 7.30p.m. Once again the club has been invited to participate in Cheriton Bishop's Quiz Night on Wednesday, January 17th. This is an annual event that is always looked forward to in the anticipation of achieving a continuation of the club’s losing streak; as the winners have to organise the following year's Quiz. With a new year of club activity ahead anyone in the area with an interest in gardening will find others to share that interest with at the club’s regular meetings and events, details of which can be obtained by contacting the Chairman, Philip Evans on 01647 281285 or the Hon. Sec., Daphne Greener on 01 647 281256.

Jane hangs up her readers’ scarf
It was a great joy when Jane Napier decided to under- take training to become a Reader, for she was already well known in the 'Old Plurality' and in Drewsteignton In particular, as organist and in charge of the choir. She was duly installed as a Reader in Holy Trinity Church in 1992 and served subsequently in that role throughout the six parishes. Many people expressed their appreciation of her particular gifts, enjoying the sensitivity of her services when often enough they have been edified by the subjects of current interest she liked to share with them. Many too who experienced her pastoral gifts were profoundly grateful for her ministry and her warm and sympathetic nature. Sadly Jane decided not to seek relicensing in the Benefice when her term expired in the autumn, though she will continue her ministry of Church Music on the organ stool and guiding Drewsteignton Church Choir. Her recruiting of "extras" for the augmented choir for special festivals is always appreciated. Her contribution as a Reader, however, will be missed.

Treasurer worth his weight
Throwleigh P.C.C members are very sorry to lose Noel Thistlethwayte from their committee.
Noel has been an exemplary treasurer for nearly 20 years and is proving very difficult to replace. He has built up the financial resources St. Mary’s Church, restoring the fabric and enabling the PCC to give generously to outside causes as well. The members of the PCC and parishioners join in extending their thanks to Noel for his devoted work over past years and extend to him their very best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

Nine hundred raised by riding or walking
When seven Throwleigh people took to their various modes of transport - bike, horse or feet - for the annual ‘round the churches’ event they were blessed with fine sunny weather and all enjoyed visiting a number of Devon churches, having previously put in considerable effort to raise sponsorship pledges. In support, there was a team of seven people manning St Mary’s Church throughout the day to provide a welcome to visitors and offering cold drinks and home baked cakes for refreshment. Thanks go to everyone who helped make the day a success, especially those who helped at the church and baked the cakes, ensuring that Throwleigh keeps its well-deserved reputation for a friendly welcome. Eighteen people visited the church during the day, and there was a lovely little spontaneous party at the end of the afternoon. Even a few casual visitors were included and made a contribution, and the total raised was a magnificent £900. Half of this goes to St Mary's church with the remaining money going to all the Devon churches. One disappoint was that so few churches seemed to make the effort to actively participate in the event. A personal welcome at a church makes all the effort worthwhile, and a bit more encouragement to get sponsored riders would increase the number of visitors. Sadly, it seems that the larger the Parish (and the more potential participants) the less interest there is - in Okehampton most of the churches remained locked.

© Ursula Radford