Church Matters – February 2020 How hard do we find it to cross the threshold of the Church? This is a question that works both ways. For those who are not regular Church goers it can be difficult to step across the threshold and enter a Church building – for many and varied reasons. And for those who do regularly attend Church services it is not always easy to take the things which they find so valuable within across the threshold and out of the building. If the Church is to have any relevance in society then this sense of division – of there being a visible or invisible barrier between the worlds inside and outside of Church – needs to be broken down. When Jesus walked this earth, even before there were such things as Church buildings, he was aware of this potential problem. In the Sermon on the Mount he told his disciples to “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Followers of Jesus were not to hide their light under a bowl, they were to let it shine for all to see. Unless light is allowed to shine out it cannot achieve its function – which is to lighten dark places. So, for those of you who do regularly go to Church, don’t keep the light you find there to yourselves, but share it with the world outside; by what you do, how you act and what you say. There is a danger, though, that our Church buildings themselves can appear to be dark places. The following is a set of lyrics from a song by the secular group Snow Patrol:- Slowly the day breaks apart in our hands And soft hallelujahs flow in from the church The one on the corner you said frightened you It was too dark and too large to find yourself in. (from ‘The Lighting Strike’ on the album ‘A Hundred Million Suns’) Of course this is only a song lyric and we cannot read too much into it. However, returning to our old Church in London over New Year reminded me what a transformation was made to that building when the solid wood entrance doors were replaced with fully glazed doors. What happened inside the building was no longer a mystery and to step across the threshold was not to step into the unknown. And on dark winter evenings the warm glow of light spilling out from within issued an unspoken welcome. Now this sort of action isn’t suitable for all Churches – particularly our older historic buildings. But the principle of our Churches being filled with light, and warmth, does apply. It’s all very well us trying to save energy, but if in doing so we make our buildings dark and cold then no-one will wish to enter and find the true light within. And if you are amongst those who rarely enters a Church building, then please don’t wait until the next Christening, Wedding or Funeral to go again. Ask someone you know who does go to give you a tour round their Church, and discover what you are missing. Churches are places where God can be encountered and where the light of Jesus shines. They are almost always places filled too with a sense of peace – a commodity we can all value. I wish you light and peace during this winter month. Keith Browne
Tree planting Lezant
Nick Barnes is planting 5,000 native broadleaf trees on the family farm. He is doing this because it will benefit future generations, not because it is going to be any sort of big money spinner. In one year, 7 or 8 trees will create enough oxygen for one person to breathe. So, once it is established and growing strongly, Nick’s miniature forest will produce enough oxygen for all the inhabitants of Lezant parish. Just think about that!
Trees produce all this oxygen when they are busy growing. With the help of sunlight shining on the leaves and water and other nutrients from the roots, they convert the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into sugars such as cellulose. Cellulose is not just a junk-food thickener but a main ingredient of wood. Oxygen is a left-over from this process. This also means that trees are important allies in the fight against global overheating. We need to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as it is causing it to overheat: witness the ongoing forest fires in Australia and the thawing of the permafrost across Siberia.
If we don’t do anything about it the seas will rise and we will see mass displacement of coastal communities and loss of farmland across the world and in the UK. Anyone fancy starving? Did I hear you say ‘it’s not my problem’? Are you thinking, “Shouldn’t the Amazon Rainforest be an important part of this fight?” Well, the Amazon rainforest is being cut down to make way for palm oil tree plantations to help make more junk food for British consumers to eat. There are also soya bean plantations, to make food for American junk food beef cattle- the sort that are raised on massive, ‘feedlots’, fed on growth hormones and antibiotics to fatten them up quickly and stop them getting sick in the overcrowded conditions. There’s also the extraction of minerals to satisfy our insatiable appetite for more junk. Don’t forget that our ‘fantastic trade deal with Mr Trump’ is meant to ship, at huge cost to the environment, this awful American produce to our shores: in order to undercut our British farmers who produce high quality beef and other meat animals reared largely on natural grassland. Some of our ministers say that this cheap food will be a good thing – but that is because they don’t care about the climate crisis or our farmers and in any case they don’t need to worry as they as individuals get lots of money from the Institute of Economic Affairs, which is where the American Industry lobbyists (working for the fossil fuel companies, food companies, big tobacco, health corporations and the last but not least the sugar industries) channel their funds directly to those ministers who will ‘arrange them a great deal’.
What can you do?… Fight back! “Buy Local” to help in the climate fight! Also, if you care about the climate crisis, you could, if you own some hedgerow, allow some of the trees in it to grow to their full potential. This will suck CO2 out of the atmosphere as well as providing a home for wildlife. If you have a spare corner of a field, could you ‘round it off’ and plant some trees of your own, for the children of the future to benefit from? Or are you one of those MANY people who will never lift a finger unless you’re paid to do so? Article from Lezant newsletter
SHARE Feb. 2020 Update
Visit to Cotehele Mill SHARE had a successful visit to Cotehele mill to see the hydro installation on Friday 6th December. A group of 21 people went to see the 5kW generator on site and learn about the benefits and pitfalls of such an installation. Leaves, young fish and regulations all need to be addressed so planning is crucial for a successful project, but if done properly, this can be a good source of electricity for the wet winter months.
Parish Carbon Footprint SHARE had asked Atlantic Energy to perform a carbon audit on the South Hill Parish and the results were discussed at our meeting on 8th January. The results showed that the main contributors to our carbon footprint are manufactured items, transport (including transport of goods) and energy used in the house, in that order. We can all do our bit by buying less (do you really need it, can you buy second-hand), working from home or car share, and use renewable energy and LED lighting in the home. Also, to work towards going to a zero carbon footprint, we would need to replace our cars by all electric cars, turn off electrical items we don’t use (don’t put our items on standby, switch if off at the socket), use heat pumps for heating our houses and only use renewable energy sources. For those who missed the presentation, Astrid will present the results again at the W.I. meeting on 6th May and we’ll post results on the SHARE web page.
For more info on this, any other thoughts or to join SHARE SHARE@south-hill.co.uk or phone Secetary Astrid Fischer 07875 284346
Let there be Light! – and water
St Sampson’s Church awaits the final Church of England faculty approval after receiving no objections to our plans for bringing mains water to the entrance of the church and installing lights along the path. The works should start soon. No more carrying of heavy water containers to provide drinks and no more stumbling in the dark. Hooray! This feels like a major step forward in our St Sampson’s Unlocked project: to make the church an easier place and to provide a twenty first century welcome in our medieval building, with a kitchen, a toilet, removal of draughts and installation of new heating.
Update on progress Four short pews at the back of church have been removed, (they will be offered for sale dreckly!), creating an immediate increased space for hospitality, which was very welcome at Carols by Candlelight, which attracted over 90 people. That was a very special evening and we were delighted that the new Bishop of Truro, Bishop Philip, could be with us. He said he had “never been to such an inventive and creative carol service” and he must have been to quite a few! To complete the work to make more space, the plans to re locate the Font from the back to the front of the church are progressing well.
We have recently secured a grant of £15,000 towards the total project cost (of approx. £450,000). We have also been awarded £350 towards a window conservation report in preparation for seeking funding for the major window repairs. The cost of these is likely to be about £63,000. It sounds a lot, but on an ancient building like St Sampson’s all the work has to be done by specialist stonemasons and glass conservators to meet heritage standards. Once completed, the cold draughts through the windows will be eliminated. Ongoing conversations are happening with the architect, specialist contractors and various funders.
Letters of support from you and the organisations you represent, stating how using St Sampson’s would benefit you, would be very welcome to include in our funding applications. Funders need to see evidence of community support. We might be a small community, but we are mighty in what we can achieve, as proven by the wonderful Parish Hall committee, the Parish Council, SHARE, WI and Hort. Show, JAMM and all the organisations which are so active in our parish. If you look at our parish boundaries on a map, we are diamond shaped. That’s because we are a treasured jewel of a community. We have much to be thankful for in South Hill Parish, blessings to you all. Keep in touch by following St Sampson’s Unlocked on Facebook. If you have any suggestions or would like to get involved in any aspect of this project, please do get in touch with Judith or Miranda
judithayers@yahoo.co.uk 01579 384617 mlawranceowen@icloud.com 01579 382863
Colouring Fun
Have fun colouring this image then take to the Parish Hall Golberdon and leave in the box on the porch seat. We will post the best on the web site and the next newsletter. Put your name and contact details on the back so we can THANK YOU
St Sampson’s Unlocked Project
The Sampson’s Unlocked Project CRUX (Cherished, Restored, Unlocked, Church) team would like to thank you all for helping to make this first year of its fundraising activities more successful than we ever imagined possible. Almost £8,000 has been raised so far and is being put to good use preparing St Sampson’s pathway for both lighting and a mains water connection. This should be started in the new year. Many thanks to Baker Estates who have donated five dumpy bags of sand and 100m of water pipe. We feel very encouraged.
Some of the highlights: To help the major funding applications, everyone in the community was invited to a ’Community Meeting’ at South Hill Parish Hall, Golberdon in November 2018, to discuss ways our communty could use the church.
An Information Open Day was held at St Sampson’s at the beginning of December where people could come in, chat and find out what the funding need was all about. CRUX then having distilled the results of these, formed an action plan for the year.
First of all on 25 March 2019, a ‘Toddle Waddle’ for JAMM (Just another manic Monday) families was held at South Hill Parish Hall on the theme of St Sampson’s adventures in Cornwall. This was followed in May by an adult equivalent called ‘Beating (walking) the Bounds’ which involved a 3 to 11 mile circuit around the parish. That evening, the Bulls Head hosted a Quiz night for St Sampson’s Unlocked. Then, after a perfect ‘Open Gardens’ event in part of what was the Old Rectory garden at South Hill, in mid June we decamped to the Old Rectory garden in Stoke Climsland for a Vintage Fête, the high point of the year’s activities and which so many people helped to make a great success. A new ‘Open Garden’ in Callington quickly followed this, and then in August a Painting event for young and old was held on the grounds of St Sampson’s. Half a pig was roasted at the South Hill Horticultural show and finally, bringing us up to the present, a fun games night was on order in October at South Hill Parish Hall, Golberdon. Lots of events are being planned for 2020, starting in January when it is our turn to organise the monthly quiz night. We will also be holding a meeting early in the New Year about the suggested community project to manage the churchyard for wild flowers and wildlife.
Conversations with our architect and specialist advisors are ongoing concerning the installation of toilet and kitchen facilities, window and ceiling repairs, heating and flooring. In addition lots of funding applications are being written. Keep in touch by following St Sampson’s Unlocked on Face book. If you have any suggestions or would like to get involved in any aspect of this project, please do get in touch with Judith or Miranda judithayers@yahoo.co.uk 01579 384617 mlawranceowen@icloud.com 01579 382863
SHARE November update
Free Trees Four hundred tree saplings are available to SHARE members and friends. Last year SHARE applied for and were successful in obtaining saplings through the I DIG TREES project. Members planted them on hedges, footpaths and at the Recreation Field, this year we have another 400 to plant and have secured more great locations, DO YOU want some, would you like to plant some? WE WOULD LOVE the children to be involved, so they can watch their trees mature . With the devasting Ash Die Back many of our parish trees will have to be felled before they fall down, our views and hedges will be altered significantly.
Here’s what we have: • Parkland trees – Common Alder, Green Beech, Silver Birch, English Oak and Hornbeam (20 of each) • Large garden trees – Downy Birch, Wild Cherry, Rowan, Sessile Oak and Field Maple (30 of each) • Small garden trees – Grey Willow, Rowan, Hazel, Crab Apple and Bird Cherry (30 of each) If you have room in your garden, on hedgerows, or better still a plot of land for a small wood, please email share@south-hill.co.uk or phone Sue or David on 382397.
Tavistock Energy Fest SHARE would like to congratulate Tamar Energy Community on their interesting and informative event in Tavistock on Saturday November 23rd. Alongside stands explaining energy use and carbon footprint in the Tamar Valley, and local renewable energy and tree care businesses, SHARE partnered with the Tamar Valley AONB to promote our Recycling for Charity initiative. The Tamar Valley Centre, at Drakewalls, is a collection point for our crisp and snack packets, biscuit and sweet wrappers, toothpaste tubes, pet pouches and more. For a full list of items and collection points visit www.south-hill.co.uk/charity-recycling and join our FB Group
Visit to Cotehele Mill, Friday December 6th, leaving Golberdon at 11.30am – to find out how they produce hydro-electricity. A few places are still available – please email SHARE@south-hill.co.uk or phone Ali on 07305 044049 to arrange car sharing.
Firewood and wood chippings for Sale phone Ali 07305 044049
Parish Carbon Footprint SHARE has requested an audit to be completed and will discuss the results at our meeting on Wednesday 8th January 7:15pm at the Parish hall, Golberdon.
Reduce your Carbon emissions from driving Inspired by the “10 Climate Pledges”, SHARE Chairman Geoff Hardman designed the following poster with a number of ways to reduce our carbon emissions when driving:
Parish Council Update
South Hill Parish Council November Report
A vacancy on the South Hill Parish Council has arisen due to the resignation of Cllr. Nick Easton. Cornwall council has advised that there has been insufficient demand for an election and the Council can now fill the vacancy by co option at it’s meeting to be held on 21st January 2020. Interested parties should apply in writing or by email. For further information about the role of a parish councillor and the co-option process please contact the Parish clerk.
Remembrance Service – The parish Remembrance Service held on Saturday 9th November 2019 was well supported and we thank everyone for attending. To reduce waste, the wreath will be removed and stored to be used again next year when the Council will still make its usual donation to the Royal British Legion.
Phone Box – Jody the mannequin that disappeared from the phone box has now been replaced with a new model who looks quite at home in her new residence. It was due to the kindness of a local parishioner that a new mannequin was found and brought back to the village. Replacing Jody was by far the most popular idea put forward for the phone box. A suggested book exchange, while a commendable idea, wouldn’t work here because the slugs and snails can easily get in.
Recreation Field /Play Area – The Council are looking at options to create a natural habitat wildflower area at the top of the recreation field, so if you have any ideas please let us know. The fencing around the children’s play area is in need of repair and the Council are looking at options and costs to get this replaced early in 2020. Minor repairs are carried out as soon as they are identified. The grass cutting contracts will be coming up for tender in the New Year and a decision will be made on costs and “best value”.
Climate Change – At the start of our November 2019 meeting, the Chairman Cllr David Skelton gave a short presentation on climate change and how we can all do our bit to help stop a world-wide climate emergency. Several members of the public attended and shared ideas on what measures could work in South Hill. Those present were challenged to make the top 10 pledges, see here and also to find out their own carbon footprint using one of the easy to use carbon calculators such as https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/ or https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
Temporary road closures – Over the next couple of months some temporary road closures are happening in the parish to enable utility companies to carry out some much needed maintenance work. We are currently aware of the following, but there may be others that transpire over the coming weeks:- o Junction North of Newlandcombe to Frogwell Road, Trevigro on 9th – 22nd December 2019 (24 hours) for Western Power works. o South Hill to junction south of Egypt on 23rd and 24th January 2020 (24 hours) for South West Water.
Potholes and Blocked Drains – If you come across a pothole, blocked drain or any other highway issues, the best way to report this is directly to Cornwall Council. The easiest way is to use a smart phone or computer. You will soon see if it has already been reported and you will get updated when the problem has been inspected and the work done. You can also phone 0300 1234 222.
Footpaths – The Council can now accept the help of volunteers to trim the public rights of way and complete minor maintenance work. To those who have already expressed an interest in helping with this work, thank you, and we will be starting early next year. For anyone who is interested please get in touch with Cllr Andrew Budd. You do not have to commit and volunteers will be supervised, and work in groups.
Parish Precept – The parish precept for 2020/2021 (from 1st April 2020) has been kept at £9,500. This enables us to run the parish, pay for the clerk and any general expenses associated with the Council. Parishioners may find that when your council tax statement is received in March 2020, it may indicate an increase in the parish element although this is not the case as far as the precept is concerned. The figures calculated are reflected on the calculation of not only the number of homes in the parish and their individual banding, but the amount of homes that are discounted for single occupancy, holiday homes and empty properties. Information and contacts –
Information on the Parish Council, including our meeting agendas and minutes, can be found on our website www.south-hill-pc.gov.uk
Sharon Daw is our Cornwall Council Ward Member and her email address is sharon.daw@cornwallcouncillors.org.uk
This just leaves me, on behalf the Parish Council, to send all our parishioners Seasons Greetings for a very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2020.
Jenny Hoskin (Parish Clerk) telephone 01208 72789 or email southhillpcclerk@gmail.com
You will see that the parish council is advertising a vacancy because of the resignation of Councillor Nick Easton at the end of September. I’d like to thank Nick for his time as a Councillor. Nick spent many hours maintaining the play area and encouraging others to help too. I could depend on him to remind the Council if we weren’t following our own policies correctly and to suggest ways that we could make the business of the Council more transparent. Nick would always talk to his neighbours and others from the parish to get their opinion on matters the council were discussing. An important part of how we best serve you. David Skelton Chairman – South Hill Parish Council.
Duchy college visit to Battling On
Duchy College Military & Protective Services Academy Rural Remembrance With Battling On
Last month Level 3 and Level 3 Extended students supported a community engagement Rural Remembrance event at Merryhue farm with Battling On. Battling On The courage and devotion of our forces is recognised without doubt, however, it has also been recognised that some service personnel find it difficult to settle back into civilian life after leaving the forces. Battling On was established to support members of the British Armed Forces who have retired from the services and are struggling to re-adjust to civilian life.
Battling On is situated between Callington and Liskeard, on a tranquil hundred and twenty-four-acre Care Farm called Merryhue, and is staffed by predominately ex-forces who have experienced the difficulties associated with returning to civilian life. Merryhue Farm is home to a wide variety of livestock and animals including alpacas, pigs, goats, horses, geese, ducks, chickens, dogs and cats many of whom have been rescued or rehomed.
As a training centre Battling On has the use of dedicated workshops and teaching spaces situated across the farm which is a mixture of grassland, meadows, semi ancient bluebell woodland and has the river Lynher running through it providing a tranquil environment to learn, relax and heal. Battling On uses the best practices of green space eco therapies to help tackle issues from low self-esteem and confidence to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. At the heart of Battling On is the concept of community participation and civic responsibility. Much of the vocational training is delivered through helping with community projects. These range from the management of wildlife areas in local primary schools to the maintenance restoration and repair of designated conservation areas.” From WW1 field kitchen, WW2 battle trench, rural experiences of the blitz on local areas to fieldcraft – all attendees learned about the local population’s efforts and heroes.
Recycling for charity
SHARE is saving valuable resources being wasted. These plastic items are sent to TERRACYCLE to be made into new products like park benches & waterbutts and credit KICKS COUNT charity, who aim to reduce the UK’s still-birth rate.
We have set up a number of collection points to drop your items
– at the entrance to Green Meadows PL17 7LT – the porch at the Parish Hall in Golberdon – the porch of St Sampson’s Church, South Hill – by the bench at Trevigro – at Beeching Park Stores, Kelly Bray – and many more https://south-hill.co.uk/charity-recycling/
Competition Time: We’re rewarding our best recyclers and best locations, so please write your name on your bags or pop a note inside so we can Thank you.
We’ve also visited the local schools to encourage more recycling. If you are connected to a school please get involved and support them, there’s a competition for them also.
The items we can accept UPDATED: o empty lipsticks, balm, gloss, mascara, eye shadow compacts, facial wipes packs o tubes from creams, gels, lotions, ointments, plastics in hair dye kits o all biscuits and crackers wrappers, inc multipacks and individual cakes, mini rolls o all crisp and snacks packets inc popcorn, pretzels, peanuts and pringles o all sweets and confectionery wrappers (no trays, paper or foil) o baby food pouches and lids and snacks like Ellas, Kiddicious, Goodies o triggers and pumps off bottles, disposable latex style gloves o plastic air fresheners and plastic packaging, inc plug-ins o dishwasher salt & tablet packs, stain remover & cleaning wipes packets o used toothbrushes, electric heads, tooth paste tubes & dental floss packs o pet food pouches, must be clean, dry and bagged + plastic biscuit & treats bags ALL PETS.
o WE CANNOT TAKE anything not on this list, the manufacturers that sponsor the programs are very specific about what can be accepted. o WE CAN NOT ACCEPT pill blister packs, fruit & veg bags, Quorn packets, any yoghurt packaging, cheese packets, bread products, coffee & tea packets, coffee pods, cling film, shrinkwrap, plastic from flowers & cards, any cereal packets, any frozen bags, trays, foil, paper, cardboard, kitchen/toilet roll bags, muesli, granola, pasta bags, rice packs, cornflower/complan packs, Capri Sun pouches. o
Please bag like items together to help with sorting and join us at Green Meadows on Fridays at 10am to sort and box up. It’ll be an eye opener !! SHARE@south-hill.co.uk, FB group web page on line here Text Ali 07305 044049
I’m also collecting for Hill Pony Resources :- o used stamps, old mobile phones, gadgets, cameras, sat navs, unwanted jewellery, any banknotes even if obsolete.