At present the restrictions placed on church services remain and we must observe social distancing.

Any person or family wishing to attend services in December are requested to contact by email (preferable) or telephone either Ray Bassingthwaighte for EAST (tel. 860568) or Patrick Brook for WEST (tel. 860978) to book places. The churchwardens will organise seating in the churches and confirm reservations.

• email for East bassingthwaighte@icuknet.co.uk
• email for West brook@rullfarm.com

Services are as follows:

• 6 Dec 11.15 Holy Communion East
• 13 Dec 6.30 pm Holy Communion West
• 20 Dec 11.15 Carol service West (sadly no refreshments)
• 24 Dec 6.00 pm Holy Communion West
• 24 Dec 9.00 pm Holy Communion East
• 27 Dec 11.15 Morning Prayer West

There are two Holy Communion services which will be taken by the Rev John Rhodes on Christmas Eve one in West at 6pm and one in East at 9pm in order to enable as many people to attend the traditional service observing social distancing. 

The Churches of East & West Worlington invite everyone to join in the Christmas celebrations by placing a figure based upon the Nativity scene outside of their property on Saturday the 19^th December. The Churchwardens will judge the exhibits and award a prize to the best figure. This will tie in with our carol service in West Church on the 20^th.

We are suggesting these figures be based upon straw/hay filled clothing and arranged with your own interpretations of the depicted character from the nativity scene.

We think is these difficult times this is a fun way of involving the community in the Christmas story.

Please contact Ray Bassingthwaighte on 01884 860568 or bassingthwaighte@icuknet.co.uk to let us know if you will be taking part and if you are happy for us to post a list on the Worlington webpage of the houses taking part so people can arrange to see the figures.

We hope the community will support us in making this Christmas just a little more fun and at the same time remembering the story at the heart of Christmas.

A Parish Council meeting was held on Tuesday, 3 November 2020, the first of the new monthly meetings, attended by Councillors Good, Old, Mrs Rhodes, Risdon, Miss Sturla and County Councillor Yabsley.

Councillor Old was willing to be Chairman for the duration of the municipal year and was elected as such.

There were no representations from the public.

Apologies were received from Councillors Miss Smyth and D Webber.

No declarations of interest were announced.

The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 6 October were approved after it was noted that Councillor Old, not Councillor Miss Smyth, proposed moving the telephone box nearer to the Parish Hall.

Reports were received on behalf of Devon County Council and North Devon Council from County / District Councillor Yabsley; from Councillor Risdon on behalf of the Parish Hall; Councillor Good confirmed that the defibrillator was in working order.  A report on Highways and Parish drainage will be given at the December meeting.

Finance.  Balances were given and budgetary figures had been circulated to Councillors ahead of the meeting.

Payments were agreed which included a donation of £312.00 to Worlington PCC for the upkeep of the churchyards of West and East Worlington Churches.

Councillors addressed the items raised in the 2019/20 internal audit.

The transfer of land between the Parish Hall and the highway continued to be dealt with by the Parish Council’s solicitors and the Diocese of Exeter.

The Clerk is to request BT to move the telephone line, not the telephone box, nearer to the Parish Hall for the opportunity to install a wi-fi hub in the Hall.

Councillors decided not to form a separate Planning Committee.

The preparation and publication of the Annual Parish magazine will be an item on the next Agenda.  Meanwhile, Councillors approved and adopted a Data Privacy Policy and Data Protection Policy.  Also adopted:  updated Equal Opportunities Policy, Health and Safety Policy and Subject Access Requests Policy.

The Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and General Risk Assessment were reviewed and approved.

The content of a New Residents Welcome Information Pack was discussed and Councillors were happy with the existing arrangements

Planning.  Amendments to Listed Building Consent 43464 (extension to dwelling together with other alterations to dwelling & conversion of first floor of stable to form 1 self-contained annexe and erection of car part) at The Stables, East Worlington House.  Councillors decided to respond ’no comment’.

Councillor Old had conveyed the Council’s thanks to Mr P Brown regarding the website and highway matters.

The website Accessibility Statement was discussed.  At present, it is 90% compliant in its present form.  The Council would like to comply but is not in a position to do so because of the burden on the limited resources of the authority for a new website to be constructed.

Monthly meetings were discussed which would be ongoing, and as from January 2021 they would not be on the first Tuesday of the month, but the third Thursday of the month thereafter.

The Clerk is attending a Covid-19 Preparedness session on 9 November organised by Devon Communities Together in collaboration with North Devon Council.

Councillor Good advised that help is on-going as before in the first lockdown and anyone requiring assistance is encouraged to contact him.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 1 December at 7.30pm by Zoom.  Among the items on the Agenda, the 2021/22 budget and Precept will be set.
Sue Squire, Parish Clerk.

Come and be Refreshed

In these difficult times you are warmly invited to rest awhile and be refreshed – to join with others in prayer, music and poetry, in a time of Contemplative Worship.

Venue: St John the Baptist Church, Witheridge, 10:30—11:00 am on the second Wednesday of the month (14 October, 11 November, 9 December). For more information, please contact John Rhodes (tel. 01769 580265; john.a.rhodes@btinternet.com).

Please note: St John the Baptist’s is a Covid-19 secure venue, in which the seating is appropriately spaced, and you will need to wear a mask. If you would like to attend please inform Adrian Wells (01884 861383; vicaradrian@gmail.com)

John Rhodes

East Worlington Parish Hall Committee
Needs Your Views

What we are doing.
East Worlington Parish Hall Committee is developing a long-term (5-year) Business and Improvement Plan. The Hall is a community facility and as members of our community we need to know your views, aspirations and ideas. To do this we are offering you an opportunity to inform us through a short consultation questionnaire survey.

Why we are doing it.
In 2019 we completed major improvement and conservation work to the Hall based on a long-term plan started with a community consultation survey in 2011. We are using the opportunity with closure of the Hall due to coronavirus to plan for the future, based on community needs, hopes and aspirations. We need you to contribute.

What you need to do.
Click on this link https://ewph.uk/survey-2020/ . It will take you to the Survey Page on our Community Website. On the page you will see Online Survey Form (A green coloured button) Click on Start Now and start the survey. When you have completed your answers click on Submit. Your details are not shared with anyone and your responses anonymously contribute to an overall final report.

Prizes
By adding your name and email address to the questionnaire you will be entered into a prize draw.
First prize Two bottles or red wine or white wine or non-alcoholic alternative
There will be a second prize and a third prize

Closing date
The last day to submit your response is Sunday 1st November 2020

It is with the greatest regret that I am required to inform you the house-to-house Poppy Appeal will not take place this year due to COVID19. However, if you are unable to acquire a poppy and you are unable to get to a supermarket where collectors will be stationed, please contact me on 01884 860872 and I will endeavour to fulfil your requirements. If you wish to support the Royal British Legion there will be a collection box at Waterside Cottage, West Worlington two weeks prior to Remembrance Day, 8th November 2020.

Lt Col P E Townsend MBE
Area Poppy Organiser