The Cup of Kindness
The Rev. Michael Thayer and his wife Rosaleen recently very kindly held a coffee morning in their South Tawton home in aid of CR2EE, the Christian Response To Eastern Europe charity taking help to children and families in Moldova and Romania. Over the years, CR2EE volunteers paying their way to deliver goods to villagers have also used their talents as builders, plumbers etc while there to provide practical help. They regularly witness poverty difficult to imagine, where adults try to earn what amounts to pence to keep their families on but have to leave children aged 5-7 in charge of younger ones. Families depend on log fires and children too often fall victim to the flames. As child-carers these young ones cannot go to school and families cannot afford medical treatment for burns. CR2EE volunteers, after driving for days, have helped turn barns into little hospitals, repaired and decorated orphanages and continue to use their skills wherever help is needed. Villagers in and around South Zeal have for years been knitting clothes and blankets and donating items, people in Okehampton added their generous help and were later joined by others in the Barnstaple area. The recent coffee morning was a village event for which all who assist CR2EE are grateful for to Michael and Rosaleen for their hospitality and to local people for their support. £307.74 including donations was raised in the most pleasant way and is now helping children desperately in need.

School Trends – Uniform
South Tawton County Primary School confirms that 30” sweatshirts now back in stock. School Trends have brought out a new ‘All weather outdoor activities suit,’ which is available in sizes 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. It is a 2 piece suit supplied neatly packed in a cloakroom friendly pouch – features: heavyweight polyester with PU coating, taped seams, hooded with tear release fastening, full front zip fastening, 2 spacious front pockets to top and access pockets to trousers, inner storm cuffs, mesh ventilated back, elasticated waist on trousers, adjustable snap closing ankles on trousers, zip closing stuff bag, safety triangles incorporating 3M Scotchlite, reflective materials, windproof/waterproof (up to 160 millibars), fabric resistance to water penetration, azo free materials. There is a picture of the suit in the school notice board, price £7.50 all sizes. Anyone wishing to place an order should please speak to the office staff.

Zale Fayre
Preparations for South Zeal’s summer's Zale Fayre are now under way and the organisers have confirmed that there will be a table top sale in the marquee this year instead of the usual car boot sale. This will provide more opportunities for individuals to participate and stalls selling crafts, local food and produce etc will be welcome as will 'car boot sellers'. For more information please contact Alan Dunn on 01837 840188.

Bowling Along
Belstone Cricket Club’s team takes to the field for their first -game of the new season on Sunday 15th April with an away match at Feniton. From then until September the Club will be playing around 40 games including twelve Sunday fixtures in the South Devon League Division Two, Twenty-20 evening games in the Buckley Cup, friendlies against the likes of Paignton, Exmouth and Whitchurch and a tour to the Portsmouth area in mid-July. New players are always very welcome, encouraging young people to participate in the sport is club policy and the latest news about the club and opportunities it offers can be found by visiting its website, www.belstonecricket.co.uk

Welcome and Thanks
A Churchwarden's announcement from St. Mary's Parish Church Cheriton Bishop confirms that the Rev. Martin Wood has accepted an invitation to become the next Priest in Charge of the North Kenn Team. At present he is in Shepton Mallett, where he has to serve three months notice, but it is hoped he will arrive in the area in May. He will be officially licensed by the Bishop of Exeter on Monday 25th June in Tedburn Church, which is the largest church in the group. Janet Jeffery extends many thanks to those who attended St Mary’s Church ‘Winter Warmer’ evening with special thanks also to those who planned it, those who cooked and to the Folk Club and Sheila and Mike Palmer from Chagford who provided the entertainment. The evening raised £170 for church funds.