October 2002  - Edition No.80

For the Children's Class sections at the Horticultural and Craft Show, pupils of the Primary School were given the project to produce a black and white cover for the October Newsletter. From the full selection displayed at A Country Collection, the judge chose one for the front cover and another for the back. The front cover of this issue was designed by Samuel Bowden [Age 8] and the back cover by Gareth Howell [Age 5]. Thank you both for your lovely pictures of autumn trees and leaves.

It has been another sad time in the village, but happily we are able to welcome some new babies and congratulate a bride and groom.

I must apologise to readers - and William Brighty Rands - for omitting the first line of the poem 'Lavender Beds' in the August issue.

The first verse reads:

The garden was pleasant with old fashioned flowers,
The sunflowers and hollyhocks stood up like towers,
There were dark turncap lillies and jessimine rare,
And sweet thyme and marjoram scented the air.

Many readers answered my plea to help cover the cost of printing and your response and generosity, together with the funds raised at A Country Collection and the Parish Council's generous annual grant, has put - bucking today's financial trends - the Newsletter fund in its best ever situation. Thank you.

I have also been made aware of an alternative printing facility should the situation arise again in future - and this issue is being printed, on a trial price basis, by Len Goddard of Combe Martin. I shall, however, continue to use the facilities of llfracombe College, and Colin, to whom I am most grateful for their continued help and support.

As I write we are enjoying a really beautiful spell of weather, if touched with an autumnal feel, but the days are shortening and the next issue will be December and Christmas! Items for that will be needed please by WEDNESDAY, 13TH NOVEMBER at the latest. In the meantime, my thanks to everyone who has contributed to this issue.

Ed.