Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 1 TOTNES TOWN COUNCIL Community grants application deadline A SOUTH HAMS FESTIVAL FOR 2025 John Birch reports RAINFOREST RECOVERY PROJECT By Colin Hair www.totnesdirectory.co.uk Over 4,200 copies delivered free every month to the homes and businesses of Totnes May 2024 | Issue 203 CAROLINE VOADEN, (Liberal Democrat candidate for Totnes) Liberal Democrats’ Quiet Diplomacy in Israel PEOPLE REQUIRED To deliver the Totnes Directory GOOD RATE OF PAY Please call 07875 538 848
2 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 COTTINN.CO.UK Ready for summer evenings outside? Open 7 days a week | lunch & dinner THE COTT INN
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 3 CONTACT US T: 07875 538 848 E: [email protected] www.totnesdirectory.co.uk 06 TOTNES TOWN COUNCIL Community grants application deadline 10 DART LIFE What does a ‘Freeport’ mean to you? 12 TRANSITION TOWN TOTNES Community Resilience Forum 16 TOTNES CLIMATE HUB Food and growing 18 DARTMOOR WALKS Corringdon Ball & the Avon Valley 22 HEALTH MATTERS Breast cancer screening 32 TOTNES MEMORIES Keeping Totnes in view 48 A SOUTH HAMS FESTIVAL FOR 2025 By Cllr. John Birch 52 MARTIN JAMES How to get a decent insurance deal 58 CITIZENS ADVICE SOUTH HAMS Dealing with damp in your home 60 MEANDERING NATURALIST In search of temperate rainforests 72 TOTNES TOWN BUS Routes & timetables 78 A-Z INDEX Advertisers & service providers Inside... CAROLINE VOADEN Quiet Diplomacy in Israel 08 PILATES Surprising effects! 24 THE FRENCH ALPS Find inner peace 42 38 GIVE YOUR BALCONY A BOOST With help from Charlie Dimmock Images: Shutterstock.com Images: Shutterstock.com
4 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Dear resident... Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of material published, the Totnes Directory take no responsibility for accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisements or for the loss arising from non publication of any advert. All images and content are accepted and reproduced in good faith. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or part without the express permission of the publisher. Richard & Shona Welcome to the May edition of the Totnes Directory. With the daily global headlines generated by the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza, local Liberal Democrat Caroline Voaden talks to us this month about the actions she would take if she was the decision maker and how her party is working behind the scenes, to try and turn the tide within Israel itself and the importance (as the Liberal Democrat’s see it) of the removal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power. Maintaining the political flavour (in his regular Dart Life article) Jim Funnell asks if we understand the meaning of the term “Freeport”. Jim reports; Freeports’ are a policy most recently promoted by Conservative’s Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak and discusses his thoughts of the potential negative impacts on the residents of the South Hams. In this month’s Totnes Matters, amongst various key initiatives, Totnes Town Council promotes it’s Green Travel Guide, which is aimed at helping residents and visitors move around the town in an environmentally-friendly way. It provides useful links to walking and cycling routes, bike rack locations, plus bus and train information. Also in this edition; Local Councillor John Birch reports on the plans for a South Hams art and performance festival to be held throughout the district during the summer of 2025 whilst our resident naturalist Colin Hair highlights the importance of local rainforests. Along with our regular features together with a comprehensive index of local traders and service providers we hope you find the directory both useful and interesting. Please don’t forget we will be delighted to receive any community news, stories or entertaining articles which you believe your fellow residents may like to read. Finally please remember to say: “I SAW IT IN THE TOTNES DIRECTORY” when responding to adverts. Best wishes Police 999 or 101 Post Office 0845 7223344 Electricity 0800 365900 Gas 0800 111999 Water 0344 346 2020 Flood Watch 0845 9881188 Totnes Community Hospital 01803 862622 Leatside Surgery 01803 862671 Catherine House Surgery 01803 862073 COOP Pharmacy 0500 970487 Morrisons Pharmacy 01803 840340 Citizen Advice 0808 278 7948 Town Council 01803 862147 Tourist Information 01803 863168 Library 01803 659945 Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 RSPCA 01803 866597 South Hams District Council 01803 861234 Totnes Caring 01803 865684 Totnes Social Services 01803 869300 Caring Town 01803 864450 The Priory Church of St. Marys, Totnes 07775 356 652 Useful Numbers @photosofdevon.co.uk
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 5 At Clarity, we encourage your family to join in our discussions and be involved with your equity release decision. Taking out an equity release lifetime mortgage is a big financial decision and will reduce the amount of inheritance you can leave. By including your family, they will have a better understanding of the product and they can support you in making a decision. Involving yourfamily in your equity release decision CLARITY WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLP IS AUTHORISED AND REGULATED BY THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY. REGISTERED IN ENGLAND AND WALES AS A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP NO OC371189. GIVE US A CALL ON 0800 2335599 OR VISIT WWW.CLARITYWM.CO.UK WATERSIDE HOUSE, THE PLAINS, TOTNES, TQ9 5DW Asking several follow up questions you might not have thought about. Understanding how it will affect the inheritance you leave behind. Ensuring that you are receiving the right advice for the right reasons. Your family can support you by: A lifetime mortgage may impact your entitlement to means-tested benefits and the inheritance you may leave. If you would like to arrange a free no obligation meeting to discuss your options, please do get in touch with our expert advisers.
6 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Green Travel Guide Totnes Town Council has launched a Green Travel Guide aimed at helping residents and visitors to get around the town in an environmentally-friendly way. It provides useful links to walking and cycling routes, bike rack locations, and bus and train information. The guide also includes a few tips for travel further afield: www.totnestowncouncil.gov.uk/your-community/traffictransport/ Community Grants Application Deadline Local community groups have until 5pm on 9 May 2024 to apply for a Town Council grant to support projects that make positive changes in Totnes. A total of £25,000 is available. You can find out more and apply via the website: www.totnestowncouncil.gov.uk/yourcommunity/community-grants/ Cllr Emily Price, Mayor of Totnes, said: “In Totnes we’re very lucky to have such dedicated community groups supporting so many different residents – including those who are most vulnerable. I’m really proud that the Town Council can provide essential financial help to support this fantastic work, which makes such a difference to our community.” May 2024 The Community grants are funded by a portion of the Council Tax that is collected from Totnes residents. Councillors will allocate the available funding at the Full Council meeting on Monday 10 June 2024 and successful applicants will be informed after this date. Last year, Totnes Town Council allocated grants worth £25,000 to a diverse range of community groups including, Food in Community, South Hams Citizens Advice, Stepping Stones – Totnes Food Bank, Mindful Making at St John’s Church, Totnes Caring and Totnes Rural Area Youth Engagement Project. Additional regional and national funding opportunities can also be found at www.totnestowncouncil.gov.uk/your-community/funding-opportunities/
Annual Town Meeting Totnes Town Council will be holding its Annual Town Meeting on Wednesday 29 May at 5pm in the Civic Hall. The meeting gives members of the public a chance to ask questions and discuss topics they feel are important for the town as well as find out more about the current work of the Town Council. Catherine Marlton, Totnes Town Council Clerk, said: “We look forward to seeing as many people as possible at this meeting. It’s your chance to find out more about some of the things we do, including the grants we award to local community groups, keeping the town looking its best, running the Guildhall, supporting local businesses, Christmas lights, and the community events we organise. “If you have any questions you’d like to ask, please contact us by 13 May to give us chance to prepare a response. Submit your questions by e-mail to [email protected] or call 01803 862147.” For the latest town council news, go to www.totnestowncouncil.gov.uk and follow @TotnesTownCouncil on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Get in touch: email: [email protected] or tel: 01803 862147 Totnes Town Council Community Awards Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for our 2024 Community Awards. We received 15 nominations for nine local people for the individual award and had six nominations for five different community groups for the group awards. Councillors will now consider all the nominations and the awards will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting at 5pm on 29 May, which is open to all to attend. Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 7
8 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Watching news coverage from Gaza is deeply disturbing, with images depicting the stark reality of starvation and desperation among the Palestinian people. The killing of seven aid workers has created a new storm of global headlines, while the daily catastrophe in Gaza rumbles on. When asked what I would do, or what the Liberal Democrats’ position is, it is very straightforward to say we want an immediate ceasefire – to end the humanitarian tragedy, secure the release of the hostages and find a way towards a two state solution. We first called for this in November and have since called for a suspension of arms sales to Israel. But one of the less headline-grabbing things we are also doing is working behind the scenes, to try and turn the tide within Israel itself. Liberal Democrats are proud internationalists. We believe our country and our people thrive when we are open and outward-looking. The UK can be an incredible force for good when it stands tall on the world stage, championing the values of equality, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We work to promote those values through an international network of liberal parties, and through democracy building work funded by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. That may sound rather dry. But in late February our party leader Ed Davey went to Israel where he met with many Israeli families, hearing awful testimony of loved ones who were killed on October 7th or are still being held hostage in Gaza. He also went to the Knesset – the Israeli Parliament – where he met with Yair Lapid, the opposition leader and the leader of our liberal sister party in Israel. They discussed the importance of removing Netanyahu from power - both for Israelis and for Palestinians. Strengthening the voice of opposition politicians and supporting their work is the valuable work we can and must do as liberals, and as politicians who want to see more humanity and kindness in the systems that govern. Campaigning here, demonstrating, calling out our politicians and demanding better is all part of the picture. But it is also incumbent on us to help strengthen the voices calling for peace, democracy and human rights inside countries like Israel. We have to ensure those in opposition have the courage to keep going, calling for a better way and a peaceful future. Liberal Democrats’ Quiet Diplomacy in Israel Caroline Voaden Parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats in the Totnes constituency Should you wish to message me I can be emailed at: [email protected] Caroline Voaden
Litigation • Contract and commercial Litigation Personal Injury Domestic and Commercial Property Disputes Family Law • • • Private Client • Probate and estate administration • Probate disputes • Trust funds & Inheritance Tax • Services for the older client • Wills, Powers of Attorney and Living Wills Property and Commercial • Buying or selling a property • Co-owning property • Commercial property • Buying or selling a business • Mortgages and Local knowledge, trusted advice While we pride ourselves on our legal knowledge, we also make sure that we explain things clearly and simply, in plain English. We’re not interested in jargon or long-windedness. And we’re professional, but distinctly unstuffy. We think you’ll notice the difference. www.windeatts.co.uk Windeatts Totnes 19 High Street Totnes TQ9 5NW Tel 01803 862233 Windeatts Kingsbridge 48 Fore Street Kingsbridge TQ7 1PE Tel 01548 852727 Equity Releases Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 9
10 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 By Jim Funnell You might think of a ‘Freeport’ as being like the image above. But did you know that you are now living within Plymouth & South Devon Freeport’s 75km outer boundary (that takes in most of Dartmoor as well as protected areas across South Hams?) What are Freeports? ‘Freeports’ are areas with special tax sites, customs arrangements and the offer of streamlined regulation for certain businesses. There is concern that this ‘streamlining’ will include reduced environmental safeguards, customs checks and governance. ‘Freeports’ are a policy most recently promoted by Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Independent evidence has shown that these schemes for special tax & customs arrangements and ‘regulation innovation’ offer poor value for public money, fail to be transparent and present risks. The fear is that the public pays- but private companies gain. What we do know is that Plymouth & South Devon Freeport’s stated objectives include ‘supply chain opportunities’ across the 75km outer boundary. The Freeport can also create fenced-off customs sites across this area. It is billed as ‘one of the largest economic development projects undertaken in South Hams’, but with many questions (including why the boundary takes in most of Dartmoor) residents are wondering when they were asked or informed of this. The answer- rather worryingly- is we weren’t. An underground hydrogen pipeline has now been proposed to link a publicly funded hydrogen plant at one of these special tax and customs sites to china clay mines on lower Dartmoor. Dartmoor National Park Authority is appointing a senior planning officer who will look at the policies around the 75km boundary. Unfortunately, it looks like the boundary was imposed across Dartmoor without consultation. South Hams borrowed £5 million from the Public Works Board for the Freeport. Devon County Council (loaded with debt, with social care and children’s disabilities services under threat) has still been able to underwrite £15 million for Freeport projects. It’s a 25 year project that will span many governments. Many worry that without proper public scrutiny now, the project could negatively impact our landscape - from Dartmoor to Protected Areas. With a cost-of-living crisis and budget pressures, there are big ‘value-formoney’ questions. The good news is Liberal Democrats Leader of the Council has apparently assured councillors that he will ‘pull out’ South Hams from the Freeport arrangement – if it is not working to our benefit. Follow the latest news on this on ‘X’ @JimFunnel1. What does a ‘Freeport’ mean to you? Dart Life
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Following on from the first two sessions of the Community Resilience Forum last month, two more will be held in the Old School Hall at The Mansion, Fore Street, Totnes. The aim of these sessions is to explore the theory and practice of growing resilience in our land management, nature and ecology, and the principles of just transition in activism. The Nature Recovery workshop on June 22nd, 1-3pm, will explore biodiversity collapse and nature recovery (through regenerative practices, rewilding, etc.). We will talk about the practicalities and opportunities of nature recovery in the UK, with practitioners and experts on the subject. From the work of Huxhams Cross, Ambios, and Bowden Pillars Future, this is the exciting edge of work in Totnes which we want to bring to the forefront of local awareness. This will tie into our wider aim in TTT to survey how we can meet international targets of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030 and generate interest in progressing this discussion. To complete the series, we’ll explore the meanings of a Just Transition on July 13th through real-life examples. Together with the co-authors of Bristol’s Just Transition Declaration and Rona Hardie from Just Transition, we’ll explore what this future can look like, learn what actions it takes to get there and discover how we need to be considering a Just Transition and the benefits it can bring to our community. You can find out more and register to take part in the Community Resilience Forum via the Events page on the website. It’s with huge thanks to Transition Together, which supports the UK network of Transition Towns, for making these forums possible through their seed funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. 12 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Spring into summer with Transition
Transition Town Totnes. Registered charity: 1138865 Dartington Room, The Mansion, 36A Fore St, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5HN 01803 867358 www.transitiontowntotnes.org AGM Local Entrepreneur Forum 12 Our 2024 AGM will be held on May 10th, from 6pm to 9pm, in The Old School Hall at The Mansion with a guest speaker. Everyone in the local community is welcome to attend to hear how Transition Town Totnes has been evolving over the past year and our plans for the future. The next Local Entrepreneur Forum takes place on May 16th and will see another four local projects pitch their ideas to a Community of Dragons, the friendliest bunch you could ever hope to meet when asking for investment in a new venture. Some of the favourite local businesses did exactly that and are still thriving years later. It’s the 12th one and is widely considered one of the best things to emerge from the Transition Movement in Totnes. Mother Roots arts showcase Mother Roots is a new project that has emerged in the last couple of years, led by a collective of m/others with the aim of ‘Amplifying the mothering energy that lies within all of us’. A Community Engagement Day is taking place on May 18th at the Civic Hall in Totnes. It will feature contributions by artists on the theme of motherhood. COMMUNITY OF DRAGONS MAY 16 Royal Seven Stars Ballroom 6pm / Drinks & Networking 7pm / Pitches & Investment Offers A welcoming Dragons’ Den-style pitching event tailored for local entrepreneurs, where everyone has the opportunity to invest their expertise, money, or enthusiasm in the innovative ventures. It’s more than just a pitch—it’s a gathering where diverse ideas converge, fostering collaboration and collective growth. TOTNES LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR FORUM 2024 LEF 12 Design: left-bridge.co.uk It’s not just about money. You get a double return from investing in our community. People lead such atomised lives. It’s a wonderful way of bringing people together. Small acorns… you never know where things are going to lead. We are ALL investors. @REconomyCentre /rpleft CommunityofDragons Come be a part of this exciting synergy of creativity and entrepreneurship! Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 13
The environmental crisis is spurring people across the UK to make changes in their everyday lives and solar panels provide one way for households to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Producing electricity from the sun can also reduce energy bills, saving homeowners up to £30,000 in energy costs over the panel’s lifetime. The cost of solar panels is dropping fast, meaning the economy of installing solar makes increasing sense. Most systems now pay for themselves in under 7 years. Yet, as the solar market booms, so does the range and quality of panels available. The ethical dimension of solar panel production often goes unexplored, raising crucial concerns from labour exploitation to environmental impact. A significant worry is the prevalence of slave labour within the industry’s supply chain, particularly in countries like China, where costdriven material sourcing has been proven to lead to forced labour and human rights abuses. Additionally, the ecological toll of solar panel manufacturing is substantial, encompassing habitat destruction, pollution and waste at the end of the panel’s use. Despite these challenges, a positive trend is emerging, with some solar producers prioritising ethical practices. These companies offer slave-labour-free panels, mainly produced in Europe where regulations are clearer and more stringent. Cradle-to-cradle panels are also available, ensuring full recyclability of every single component in a panel. With the rising cost of living in the UK and a lack of government incentives, investing in solar panels is not always an easy choice. Opting to purchase a solar system for your home is a substantial decision. Maybe surprisingly, choosing high-quality solar panels can lead to long-term financial savings. While lower quality panels may seem like a more economical choice initially, they often come with hidden costs in the form of reduced efficiency, shorter lifespan and higher maintenance and repair requirements. In contrast, high quality panels are typically more durable, efficient and reliable, resulting in greater energy production and lower operating costs over their lifespan. When researching solar panels, it makes sense to consider ethical aspects in conjunction with cost and investment returns. Prioritising ethical practices within the solar industry not only communicates to manufacturers that customers value social justice and environmental responsibility, but also exerts a transformative influence throughout the supply chain. This type of collective pressure is a catalyst for positive change. Whether you’re seeking solar or battery technology to power your home or business, consult with your installer for guidance on panels and batteries that ensure both slave labour-free production and recyclability at the end of their lifecycle. 14 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 ARE SOLAR PANELS REALLY AN ETHICAL CHOICE?
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 15 FOR A FREE QUOTE Your Local Solar Panel & Battery Installers Join the energy revolution www.bloomrenewables.co.uk | 01803 200999 Rethinking home energy: solar solutions with conscience Ethically sourced, cost-effective and fully-recyclable solar panels.
16 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 The theme for May at the Totnes Climate Hub is Food and Growing. We are well and truly into the growing season. If you have a garden you may be growing fruit and vegetables. This makes sense in times when adverse weather resulting from climate change may badly damage farm crops, putting prices up. Plus, things you grow yourself taste so much more delicious! Many people have also set aside part of their gardens to promote wildlife and restore habitats for some of our endangered species. Or you may be considering doing so and wondering where to get advice and tips. At Totnes Climate Hub we have a wonderful range of booklets to help you to garden with wildlife in mind. They are all free to take away. Perhaps you would love to grow your own food but have no garden in which to do it? A Garden Share scheme is designed to put you in touch with someone who has all or part of a garden which they no longer can or want to grow food in. What could be better than being paired up so that you can both enjoy a garden and have some delicious fruit and veg to eat as well? If you are interested in being part of such a scheme, either as a gardener or garden provider please contact Barbara: volunteers@ totnesclimatehub.info Food and Growing Come along to the Totnes Climate Hub, in the Mansion building at 36 Fore Street, every Wednesday-Saturday, 11-3 or find out more at www.totnesclimatehub.info.
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 17 Bond Eco-fuel Bond Joinery Limited, Babbage Road, Totnes, TQ9 www.bondjoinery.co.uk • email:[email protected] Environmentally friendly • 100% renewable energy •made from dried compressed sawdust Wooden briquettes suitable for use in Open Fires, Woodburners, Multifuel stoves and Garden Chimneas Manufacturers of Quality Made to Measure Joinery, Windows, Doors & Staircases in a range of Hard & Soft Woods 01803 866704 Bond Eco-fuel www.bondjoinery.co.uk • email:[email protected] Environmentally friendly • 100% renewable energy • Made from dried compressed sawdust Wooden briquettes suitable for use in Open Fires, Woodburners, Multifuel stoves and Garden Chimneas ,in hard or soft woods 01803 866704 or 07973Bond Eco-fuel Bond Joinery Limited, Babbage Road, Totnes, TQ9 www.bondjoinery.co.uk • email:[email protected] Environmentally friendly • 100% renewable energy •made from dried compressed sawdust Wooden briquettes suitable for use in Open Fires, Woodburners, Multifuel stoves and Garden Chimneas Quality Made to Measure Joinery Doors, Staircases & Windows in hard or soft woods 01803 866704 or 07973 692659 Bond Eco-fuel Bond Joinery Limited, Babbage Road, Totnes, TQ9 www.bondjoinery.co.uk • email:[email protected] Environmentally friendly • 100% renewable energy •made from dried compressed sawdust Wooden briquettes suitable for use in Open Fires, Woodburners, Multifuel stoves and Garden Chimineas Quality Made to Measure Joinery Doors, Staircases & Windows in hard or soft woods 01803 866704 or 07973 692659 Bond Joinery Limited, Babbage Road, Totnes, TQ9 5JA New spraying workshop – Now Open! Bespoke, quality spray finish to all our joinery products. We can also spray your windows, doors, kitchens, furniture and more. Please ask for a quote or to discuss your spraying needs. * PV stands for Photovoltaic and is a renewable energy technology, transforming energy from the sun into electricity. For a free quotation, please contact [email protected] or call 01803 605509. Moreheat Ltd are now fully accredited to supply and install PV* systems.
MAY WALK This walk is full of history and very varied scenery – and you can do it even if you don’t own a car as there’s a wonderful regular bus service between Totnes and South Brent (Stagecoach Gold). Start at the Old Station car park in South Brent and walk to the western end where you will see a footpath that runs down to and alongside the River Avon through woodlands. Follow the path as far as beautiful Lydia Bridge. This is a Saxon word for white water, and as you stand looking down at the river rushing below, you can see how aptly named it is. This is a very old packhorse bridge and just upstream is Crackhills Mill. A few centuries ago South Brent had 5 mills on the Avon. This one was a flour mill and was then converted to a sail canvas mill. Cross the river on the bridge and take the footpath on your right which leads alongside the river (it can be rather muddy here!) and then into Penstave Copse. This delightful mix of mature oak, ash, hazel coppice and alder is a Woodland Trust site popular with dormice. It is managed by the local environmental group Sustainable South Brent as a community woodland. In May it will be a carpet of bluebells. Follow the path up the hill and when you emerge onto the lane you’ll see the hedgelaying that has been undertaken by them. Turn left on the lane, then first right when you reach the hamlet of Aish. This lane leads you steadily uphill through fields to Aish Ridge. This is a very ancient route, possibly prehistoric but certainly medieval. It was used from about 1300 AD by the jobbers who collected wool from the hill farms and brought it down on packhorses to the mills in South Brent. As the path climbs alongside Corringdon Ball, you can clearly see the prehistoric field boundaries that cover the hillside. The path emerges onto the open moor through Corringdon Ball Gate. These massive pillars are relics of Brent Manor which belonged to Buckfast Abbey until the monasteries were dissolved, and was then given to Sir William Petre. Beside the gate you can see the remains of the “court”, an area used for rounding up animals. This track would also have been used to move livestock from the lowlands to the high moor for summer grazing. Just beyond the gate are the remains of Corringdon Long Barrow the oldest man-made structure on the moor (built about 3000 BC). It was a megalithic chambered tomb and the massive stones still lying there would have been constructed as a dolmen (like the reconstructed Spinster’s Rock at Drewsteignton) with an earth covered barrow behind. There’s not much left to see, but you can see what a busy area this was in the Bronze Age if you turn left and cross the East Glaze Brook. Just beyond it are the stones of a cairn circle which head two treble stone rows and a single one, all running more or less parallel. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers (myself included) coordinated by the National Park, much vegetation has been removed to make these rows more visible (the stones are smaller than in most such rows and were hidden by gorse bushes). CORRINGDON BALL AND THE AVON VALLEY 6 miles (An OS Map of Dartmoor is essential to be able to follow this walk) 18 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848
Return to the barrow and follow the path past the Merrifield plantation and steeply down to the Avon valley along another very ancient route known as Diamond Lane. Turn right on the lane, then left across the bridge at Didworthy. The large building you pass above you on your left was a TB sanatorium between 1903 and 1968. The purity of the Dartmoor air and peaceful atmosphere yielded good results. Plentiful fresh air was built into the structure and regime, but it was so cold in winter that the patients wore overcoats in bed, had 2-hourly hot water bottles delivered and found their dentures frozen in ice in their containers in the morning! Soon after this building, a footpath goes off to the right and leads back down the valley through woodland and fields just above the Avon river. Overbrent Wood on your right is a glorious bluebell wood at this time of year – you can’t go in but can feast your eyes and enjoy the scent. The path eventually brings you out on a lane at Lutton. Turn right and walk downhill, then right again to reach Lydia Bridge from where you can take the same path back to the car park. If you’re wondering about a gift for a friend who likes the outdoors, consider giving them a voucher for a guided walk on Dartmoor – it’s a great way to see parts of the moor you wouldn’t otherwise see! Dartmoor Walks This Way offers regular guided walks on Wednesdays and Sundays as well as leading bespoke walks on request. www.dartmoorwalksthisway.co.uk Dartmoor Walks This Way Made to measure guided walks Inga Page 07914 184220 Penstave Copse Corringdon Barrow Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 19
Branches at Totnes, Paignton, Dittisham and Dartmouth For more information or to book your place: 07917 848081 [email protected] /BuckinghamDanceStudios www.buckinghamdancestudios.com Ballet · Modern · Tap Contemporary · Acro available for all ages Baby Ballet (2-3 yrs) and Pre-School Classes 07917 848081 [email protected] NEWdue to popular demand! ACRO for 7 yrs plus beginners THURSDAYS 6.30pm · CHAPEL HOUSE STUDIOS, Station Road, Totnes, TQ9 5HW 20% OFF FOR NEW PUPILS 20 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Book your sauna session on our website www.thesomewheresauna.com the.somewhere.sauna Opening Times 11am - 7pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Public and private sessions avaiable Come and enjoy our traditional wood fired sauna and cold plunge located at Mothecombe YOGA CLASSES Dip BWY; yoga for healthy lower backs; Dip Bones for Life. Celebrating 20 years of yoga teaching Tuesdays 10-11.30am and 12-1.30pm Follaton Community Hall, Totnes. Please ring Claire 01803 868476 / 07577951781 email : [email protected] with Claire Parker Specialist in yoga for backs and bone density work. Small classes, lots of space. Suitable for all including those seeking gentle yoga. Pre - booked spaces only.
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 21 EX 4 P 5YEARS ERIENCE MASTER TRAINER TaiChi Deep Breathing •Tai Chi Form & Dance Chi Kung • Relaxation • Balance & Co-ordination ChineseYoga Classes held at Follaton Community Hall Totnes Tuesday 7.30-8.30pm Wednesday 10-11am Thursday 7.30-8.30pm 01803 431847 • 07985 350214 www.inner-depth.com www.facebook.com/InnerDepth Reclaiming your fitness is not just about weight loss, it’s about; good health, self-esteem, increased energy, lifting your mood and feeling more alive. • Group exercise classes in a non-competitive environment. • Expert advice to get the most out of your workout. • No joining fees or long term commitment. Classes for everyone Expert tuition Personal coaching Book your FREE CLASS now! Call 01803 862711 Totnes Industrial Estate www.fi tness-factory-totnes.com
22 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 for new students who enrol for the Autumn term Breast Cancer Screening About one in eight women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. If it’s detected early, treatment is more successful and there’s a good chance of recovery. THE AIMS Breast screening aims to find any form of breast cancer early. Mammograms can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel. A mammogram is a form of x-ray. The risk of getting breast cancer increases with age, this is why you are automatically invited to screening every three years when you are aged between 50 and 71 years of age. Specialists agree that screening patients is beneficial as it can identify breast cancer earlier, therefore increasing the chances of survival. It also means that you are less likely to need a mastectomy or chemotherapy if it is detected early. You will first be invited for a screening within three years of your 50 th birthday. However, if you have high risk of developing breast cancer you may be eligible for earlier testing. WHAT HAPPENING DURING THE SCREENING? As mentioned previously a mammogram is a form of x-ray, this is done in a specialist unit by a female health professional. Each breast is x-ray individually and done from two separate angles. THE RISKS OF BREAST SCREENING The screening can sometimes come back clear when cancer is present. Around one in three thousand women screened fail to diagnose a cancer when screened. The mammogram is an x-ray, so therefore your breast are exposed to radiation as part of the screening. THE RESULTS The results will be sent back to your GP surgery, no later than two weeks after your mammogram appointment. After screening one in twenty-five women will be called back for further investigations. If you are called back this does not mean you have cancer, it means the first mammogram was unclear. This does cause the experience of unnecessary stress which can also be classed as a risk as well as those mentioned previously. However, unfortunately one in four women who are called back are diagnosed with breast cancer. PLEASE REMEMBER If you are worried about any breast cancer symptoms you must go and see your GP, do not wait for your next screening appointment.
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 23 General Podiatry • Nail cutting, ingrowing toenails and toenail surgery • Removal of hard skin and corns • S30 Podylas laser for treatment of fungal nails • Swift microwave therapy for verruca treatment • Diabetic foot care, foot health check • Preventative foot care advice and treatment plans • Toenail reconstruction using Wilde-Pedique Biomechanical / Musculoskeletal Assessment • To include state of the art dynamic gait analysis. This assessment is ideal if you’re suffering from foot, ankle or lower limb pain • Custom made 3D printed foot orthotics/insoles • EMS extracorporeal shockwave therapy • Foot, ankle and lower limb joint mobilisation • Tailored exercise programmes • Soft tissue laser therapy TOTNES CASTLE Find us at: 8 High Street, Totnes, TQ9 5NN SOUTH ST THE NARROWS HIGH ST CASTLE ST Here at Footworks Podiatry we strive to be a step ahead with the latest in footcare techniques and equipment. So, whether you are looking for general footcare and advice, or you are suffering from foot, ankle or lower limb pain, please give us a call to book in for an initial assessment with one of our highly skilled, HCPC registered podiatrists. Rosanne Hunt BSc (Hons) MRCPod Alexandra Snape BSc (Hons) MRCPod Harriet Bragg BSc (Hons) MRCPod Call: 01803 868888 www.footworks-podiatry.co.uk
24 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 We all know that regular Pilates practice helps create long, lean and toned limbs and that it strengthens those important core muscles. Whether you choose the more traditional mat Pilates or a more relaxed approach of Fitness Pilates, or a one-toone session that may include the famous Reformer so many celebrities swear by, here are a few additional benefits of this exercise discipline that started out as the domain of professional dancers. Pilates helps improve your balance A better balance is useful for anyone but especially for older people who may be at risk of falls. However, younger people can also benefit – climbing ladders anyone? Meanwhile, athletes need good balance to achieve optimum performance and martial artists can develop a better kick or punch. Pilates strengthens your pelvic floor Many exercises start with activating the core, the ‘corset-like’ group of muscles that give us a smaller, firmer waist (if we use them). Experienced Pilates students know how to engage their pelvic floor muscles, which are considered part of the core. A strong pelvic floor stops those embarrassing leaks – in men and women. Rest assured that Pilates teachers are trained to explain everything in such a way that participants learn to locate the right muscles and use them, without blushing. Pilates Surprising Effects of Health & Wellbeing
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 25 Aesthetics and Wellness Clinic • The WOW facial • Microblading & semipermanent make-up • IPL hair removal & IPL IPL rejuvenation • Plasma pen treatments • Profhilo & fillers • Radio frequency, LED & microneedling • Hydro facials • Signature ‘ultimate’ facial • Cosmetic & auricular acupuncture • Fractional RF microneedling face & body • HIFU face & body treatments • PDO threads, eyes, neck, jaw, cheeks [email protected] www.lisamann.co.uk lisa mann beauty 07581 047822 47 Brantwood Drive, Paignton, Devon TQ4 5HY Specialising in the following treatments:
Build safety in rotation Many ‘slipped’ or prolapsed disc injuries happen as a result of spinal weakness on rotation, yet avoiding twisting is not the answer. How else would you place a child in their car seat? On the other hand, tennis, squash or badminton players as well as golfers can improve their performance by perfecting their swing technique which of course, involves rotation. Pilates can help anyone by making their spine more mobile yet strong on rotation, the most vulnerable type of movement. Safely under the guidance of a trained instructor, a typical session takes your body through a variety of movements in many directions, including rotation. Your spine will thank you for it, especially if you torment it daily with hours of sitting hunched at a desk or standing all day. It’s good for the mind too Mindfulness practice has been hailed as the latest antidote to the anxious, stressed and busy mind, and Pilates teaches students to pay attention to their breathing in order to activate the right muscles. While you are focusing on finding those muscles the instructor insists you definitely have, your brain stops stressing about work pressures, life’s disasters and things that make you anxious. After the session you will go home feeling good physically and mentally. Mindfulness practice has been hailed as the latest antidote activate the right muscles. of movement. Safely under the guidance of a trained instructor, a typical session takes Health & Fitness Build safety in rotation Many ‘slipped’ or prolapsed disc injuries happen as a result of spinal weakness on rotation, yet avoiding twisting is not the answer. How else would you place a child of movement. Safely under the guidance of a trained instructor, a typical session takes create long, lean and toned limbs 26 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Health & Wellbeing
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Totnes Caring and Soundart Radio collaborate on unique radio project exploring time Totnes Caring in the studio Totnes Caring have been delighted to work in collaboration with Soundart Radio on an innovative, radio-based project. With local poet Lucy Lepchani and Soundart’s Alice Armstrong we undertook creative writing and audio recordings exploring the theme of time. We began at the end of 2023, eleven people got involved were able to contribute to recording a collage of thoughts on the broad theme of time, exploring it from myriad perspectives. We met for a series of five afternoon sessions at the Totnes Boating Association. Activities included: • Sharing personal memories, reflections on when we feel time is passing quickly and when it passes slowly. • Chatting about questions like, what is time and how can we describe our experience of it? • Making up short stories inspired by a range of photographs. • Writing individual haikus and creating a poem together. • And of course, tea and biscuits! One participant who is ninety five told us “I was very nervous at first because I’d never done anything like this before but after starting I wasn’t nervous any more and I realised I was able to do it. I really enjoyed it.” Another said “There was no judgement, people were warmly invited to contribute in ways they were comfortable with.” This partnership has given us news ways to interact together, sharing the inspiring process of making something that didn’t exist before and is unique because of the individuals involved. We were blown away by the quality of attention and willingness of people to get really stuck in. The project culminated in a live broadcast from Soundart’s new studio on the Dartington Estate. Clients shared songs and introduced them on air. Elgar, John Lennon and Chet Baker. We listened closely to one another’s words and took turns on the microphone to speak and be heard. With further funding from Devon County Council and ‘Learn Devon and Multiply’ which supports Soundart’s creative maths project ‘Everybody Counts’. We are really hoping to be able to put together another round of sessions and give more people the opportunity to get involved. Visit: totnescaring.org.uk 28 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 29 07818 048978 www.lovemyhealth.co.uk [email protected] Get well Be well Stay well CHRISTINE ELIZA MAY Homeopathy Allergy/food sensitivity testing Reiki Suitable for all ages and stages of life. If you’d like to find out if I can help with your health issues then do get in touch. Call us now 01803 266246 www.extra-help.co.uk We can help with: • Companionship • Escort to appointments • Cleaning and tidying • Laundry and ironing • Shopping errands • Meal preparation • Parents’ help and so much more! New Totnes Clinic: healthsourcetotnes.uk • 23yrs experience. • Professional diagnosis, holistic advice & treatments. • Uses hands-on techniques plus Thor LX2 Laser for pain relief/healing. • From stroke rehab to painful backs, necks, shoulders. • Home visits available. Call Mike Traynor: 07956 409300 ZenPhysio.com Neuro Physio & General Physio
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Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 31 Feel free to visit our website: Where confidence takes shape TOTNES: 01803 867837 naturalbodysculpt.com We offer a free consultation to discuss what you would like to achieve, our treatments, costs and answer any questions you might have. before after before before after before after after before after ANTI-AGEING FACIAL NO-NEEDLE FILLER GYNAECOLOGICAL ISSUES BODY SCULPTING INJURY RECOVERY SKIN TIGHTENING INSTANT INCH LOSS PERMANENT FAT LOSS NON-SURGICAL FACELIFT INCONTINENCE MUSCLE BUILDING PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL CELLULITE REDUCTION NON-SURGICAL TUMMY TUCK
32 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848© Citizen Advice Where have all the photos gone? To Totnes Image Bank’s safe keeping. For 25 years TIB has been safe-guarding irreplaceable photographs of Totnes’ rural past and heritage sites, currently storing over 56,000 images on its online database. Also viewable online are past presentations given at Totnes Cinema and Times Gone By QR codes encapsulating, in words and pictures, a brief history of some of Totnes’ wellknown buildings. Where do all the pictures come from? From fortuitous donations. Recently, Simon Walker of the Utah Reenactment Group sent TIB 15 locally, previously unseen images, with text of an amazing feat of American engineering, i.e. the spectacular semi-permanent double Bailey Bridge built spanning the River Dart at Totnes between mid-March and mid-April 1944. Some of those images have been incorporated into a QR code for D-Day 80, illustrating first, Totnesians’ role in the WW2 effort and secondly, the part played by American troops based in and around Totnes between December 1943 and June 1944, when on South Hams beaches they rehearsed exercises for Operation Overlord. These were the practices for landings on Utah Beach in Normandy on 6th June 1944 when, together with Allied Forces, they fought to end Nazi occupation of Western Europe. Donations form an intrinsic part of the TIB database, a significant one being the collection of over 7,000 images from the Dartington Rural Archive. Other smaller donations include collections from F.J.Reeves, Dairy Crest, Woodman Photographers, Totnes Costume Museum and Torbay Aircraft Museum. When, in 1999, Barrington Weekes founded the TIB, Totnes had, for some 50 years, been the home of several photographers including Barrington who all ran shops in Bridgetown and Totnes. They were Nicholas and Fay Horne, Peter Jago and, earlier, Eric Morrison. Totnes Image Bank Keeping Totnes in view Visit www.totnesimagebank.info for more fascinating images If you have any photos of the above, please bring/send them to the Image Bank to keep the memories alive Together these professionals donated 7,000 images representing the main body of TIB’s database. Apart from professional and corporate donors, numerous are the ’small’ TIB contributors of up to 500 images each. Major donors of private collections numbering over 1,000 images are Rosemary Densham, Jim Bellchambers, Lawrence Eastwell, Bill Blinston, Brian Ashby and Rosemary Westell, whose work from the 1970s to the 2010s was celebrated in a recent presentation with commentary by her daughter Gillian. This can now be viewed online. Photography may appear to be a dying art, eclipsed by ephemeral mobile ‘phone selfies and snapshots, but it has now become a science studied at university degree level. Few people consider themselves photographers, let alone, like Rosemary Westell, on a particular mission to capture a rapidly changing world. So, in this its 25th year, TIB is keen to encourage young photographers aged between 9-18 years to compete for the title of Young Photographer of the Year. Details of how and when to enter will appear shortly online. Find us at Town Mill, TIB’s base for 25 years, but for how much longer?....... Image: Boy and foal asleep at Totnes Show by Rosemary Westell in the 1970s.
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 33 Based in Totnes Proprietor: Jason Lamare 4, 6 & 8 Seater Cabs Available For enquiries and quotes email [email protected] Your reliable cab service TEIGNL CKS YOUR LOCAL LOCKSMITH SPECIALIST Non-destructive entry on all types of Doors & Windows A complete range of Locksmith & Carpentry Services Services to both residential & commercial customers Covering all of Teignbridge from my base in Kingsteignton Very Competitive Rates FREE CALL OUT CALL TIM ON 07757 121550 LANDLINE: 01626 211153 www.teignlocks.co.uk [email protected] We supply, fit & overhaul all types of locks! NM PROPERTY SOLUTIONS SERVICES HANDYMAN ✓ Kitchens ✓ Bathrooms ✓ Fencing ✓ Decking ✓ Wall and floor tiling a speciality CALL NICK ON 01803 812492 / 07977 901251
34 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Are you struggling to get out and meet other people? We provide a relaxed and welcoming space for people to come together and learn to repair bicycles. We drink tea, chat and have fun! The sessions are free to attend. No previous experience of working on bikes necessary. Running every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm. We may be able to help with travel costs. If you or someone you know would like to come along or find out more, please email us at : [email protected] or pop in and chat to us! Totnes Bike Hub In partnership with: Tea ‘n’ Tinkering Church’s is at the heart of Ashburton offering a wide range of tools and ironmongery, kitchen and homewares, garden gear, camping and picnicking essentials, camping gas and lots more. We take pride in offering our customers a personal service that big stores can’t match! Monday Closed Tuesday to Saturday 9am - 3.30pm Church’s Ironmongers 4 North Street • Ashburton TQ13 7QD • 01364 652292 Totnes Directory half-page Advert artwork.indd 1 03/08/2022 11:46
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36 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 "Wildlife wants flowers all year round, just as we do," she says. "Go for plants which give you a continuous amount of flowers. Some of the bedding plants are great and the more simple single flowers are better because they tend to have more nectar and pollen in them. Some petunias are quite good, as are marigolds, osteospermums and other daisy-plants like marguerites. "If you go for plants with double flowers they tend to be less pollen-rich. Lavender and thyme are also good because they have a long flowering season." A good variation of plants which provide yearround interest may also be the way to go on a balcony. "I'd have two or three evergreen shrubs on your balcony, not too big, such as a Daphne odora 'Marginata', which has a variegated leaf and fantastic scent in the spring. I'd also have a small pittosporum, as there are interesting and different variegations, including 'Tom Thumb', a purple one that stays like a round ball with purple leaves. "Go for smaller shrubs like Pittosporum tobira, which is slow-growing and stays small, with really lovely scented flowers, or nandina (sacred bamboo). Don't buy something like a forsythia which is going to grow too big and only flowers for about two weeks and then becomes boring. "Go for plants which give you two or three different times of interest. The nandina are evergreen - in the spring the first leaves are bright red, then it flowers in the summer and bears red berries in the autumn - giving you a lot of interest." Make the most of your space, which means using height for optimum effect. "If you've a piece of trellis you can grow things up that, so you've the vertical option as well. Climbing plants will also give you a bit more height, texture and colour." Don't dismiss ivy because ivy flowers attract beneficial insects, says Charlie. "Ivy flowers very late in the season and very early in the spring and it's a really good source of nectar for insects because there's nothing much about at that time. When ivy reaches the top of a wall you get round, green flowers followed by black berries, which are good for birds." If you plant thoughtfully, you can attract a good variety of birds to your balcony. Provide some water, even if it's just a bird bath, and put up bird feeders. "Birds like to be able to perch somewhere while they are coming in to feed. If you have an uncluttered balcony with a bird feeder on it, they probably won't come in, but if you've got a few shrubs and a climber up the wall and there's maybe a tree outside, they are likely to queue up on it and check it's safe." Encourage your neighbours to add plantings to their small spaces, she urges. "Urban gardens are crucial for wildlife because they create the corridors, or the 'hopping spaces' between more open spaces like parks and bigger gardens." Give your balcony a boost If you've only a city balcony or a titchy terrace, how can you give it the wow factor? TV gardening expert Charlie Dimmock, has some ideas of her own on how to jazz up a balcony and attract wildlife in the process. If you've only a city balcony or a titchy terrace, how can you give it the wow factor? TV gardening expert Charlie Dimmock, has some ideas of her own on how to jazz up a balcony and attract wildlife in the process. Gardening
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 37 Including • Stone Walling • Retaining Walls • Groundworks • Driveways • Patios & Paths • Gates • Drainage & Irrigation • Fencing & Decking etc. Garden landscape specialists in Devon and Cornwall Gatcombe Mill, Littlehempston, Totnes TQ9 6LW 01803 864871 [email protected] Family Business Since 1976 Company No.3942610 Full Insurance Competitive Quotes www.afbrown-sons.co.uk
38 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Best of the bunch Forsythia These favourite spring shrubs produce masses of zingy yellow flowers each spring, and are lovely grown as informal hedges or towards the back of a border. They're also great for covering walls and bare ground, particularly if you haven't much else flowering around this time. Many varieties are available, but among the most common is F intermedia 'Spectabilis', which grows to about 8ft high and bears a profusion of bright yellow flowers; F. 'Beatrix Farrand' bears much bigger flowers, up to 2in (5cm) across. They are not fussy about their soil and will grow in sun or very light shade, but you must prune them immediately after flowering, cutting back only those shoots with faded blooms. If you leave pruning until summer you will cut off next year's flowers. Good enough to eat Purple Sprouting Broccoli Take cuttings from sturdy, young shoots on border perennials and root them in pots of cuttings compost in a garden frame. Remove faded flowers from spring-flowering bulbs and give the plants a sprinkling of general fertiliser. Begin to harden off bedding plants in a garden frame before planting out in late spring. Net brassicas to protect them from pigeons. Continue to spike and scarify lawns to improve surface drainage and remove thatch. Sow tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, aubergines and peppers for greenhouse growing. Re-pot houseplants and give them a week or two in the greenhouse to convalesce. Thin out autumn-sown annuals. Plant gladioli corms. Soak the soil around walltrained fruit trees and mulch with manure. Plant up herbs in containers. Remove the insulation from the greenhouse. Prune tender climbers and wall shrubs before leaves open fully. This colourful vegetable comes into its own in the winter, when fresh green vegetables are most welcome and is more of a 'cut-andcome-again' type than the regular heads you buy in the supermarket. Broccoli needs quite a lot of space, around 60cmx60cm per plant, over a long growing season and while it occupies a lot of ground, at least you'll benefit in late winter and early spring, when much of the ground is unproductive. In April or May make a single sowing of sprouting broccoli, sowing two seeds per 7cm pot. It will germinate at low temperatures as long as it doesn't go below freezing. If both seeds germinate, pull out the weaker one. Alternatively you can prepare a seedbed by digging over the soil and raking the surface to a fine tilth. Sow the seed thinly into drills 1.5cm deep and 10cm apart, aiming for a seed every 10cm. Water the drill if the soil is dry. Cloches aren't vital but may be useful against slugs and flea beetles. In June or July transplant the young plants into their final position, spacing plants 60cm apart each way. It needs fairly rich soil and plenty of nitrogen, so you may have to apply a top-dressing of a nitrogen fertiliser. In late summer keep an eye out for cabbage white caterpillars on the leaves and pick them off. The plants should be large and leafy as they go into the winter. You need to earth up the base or stake them to prevent them blowing over in exposed sites. Pick the flower shoots as they develop between January and May. The purple flowerbuds should still be tight and you can keep picking the spears to prevent the plants flowering. Gardening
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 39 SOUTH HAMS HOME AND GARDEN Covering all aspects of hard landscaping and wooden structures in your garden • Paving • Patios • Decking • Fencing • Picket fencing • Raised planters • Veg boxes • Pergolas • Gravel • Lawn seed • Turf • Topsoil • Sheds • Summer houses • Ponds • Bird feeding stations Free quotation Contact Andrew Stanley Phone/text: 07894 538417 Email: [email protected]
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Travel By Gill Martin Our mountain guide must have lost the plot. Here we are in the French Alps on a perfect sunny day, snow tipped peaks glinting under azure skies, crystal clear streams carving through carpets of green pastures, a chorus of twittering birds, clicking crickets and tinkling cow bells. However, Cathy Gallioli is telling us to close our ears and eyes to the wonders around us while we learn to walk. Learn to walk? Haven’t we managed that already? Babies usually morph into toddlers by 12 months, so why on earth would a group of developmentally normal, healthy women, and one male doctor, want to re-learn such a basic skill? This is no ordinary uphill hike. We are to master the art of ‘conscious walking’ - a sort of mobile meditation in the mountains. Morzine is a charming French Alpine yearround resort, with varied summer attractions which often draw almost as many visitors as the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, which lures keen piste-bashers every winter. Although mountain biking and hiking are major summer attractions, the Zen weeks which it hosts every summer and spring are a major draw, too. Forget about chanting, om-ing and high altitude yogic flying. This is more of a down-to-earth approach to meditation through walking. And, without exception it puts a spring in our step while eliminating the huff, puff and weariness of the long-distance hiker. Conscious walking requires concentration, and while you concentrate on the mechanics of each step and each breath, you leave everyday worries and concerns behind. We learn to listen to our bodies and tread softly to avoid jarring. We don’t rush. The walk itself Find inner peace in THE FRENCH ALPS Holidays & travel 42 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848
Images: shutterstock.com Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 43 is our only goal, not how fast we’ve ‘attacked’ the steep slope. This novel approach is good news for hurried town-dwellers who are forever rushing from A to B. Nomadic tribes as far afield as Afghanistan and Kenya can teach us a thing or two about walking. Their breathing techniques allow their bodies to be efficiently oxygenated so they can walk better, for longer, and without tiring. It works. You are so busy concentrating on matching your breathing - always through the nose so there’s no gasping and heaving of chests - to your strides that the ground just flows beneath you as if riding a travelator. That’s while you are still in the car park at the start, and on the level. Our group - including a hotelier, teashop owner and teacher - kick off our shoes on the grassy bank of a gurgling stream to prepare with 20 minutes of Qi Gong, an ancient form of Chinese exercise like static Tai Chi. Our teacher instructs us to visualise absorbing the energy of the mountains. We calm our bodies with every breath, as roughly translated, Qi Gong means breath effort. We inhale the fragrance of fir trees. We stretch, we bend, we hold invisible energy balls in front of our chests. We close our eyes. We are tranquil. A blur of mountain bikers wobble in wonder as they hurtle by - Morzine is a mecca for mountain biking. Then Cathy, a beacon in turquoise and orange, leads us in single file up a stony mountain track. We are under instructions to ignore the stunning sights and sounds of the mountains, and instead focus on pacing our breathing. We don’t chatter, but take regular rest breaks for water, until eventually we’re allowed to take in the majestic mountain scenery and chorus of birdsong and bleating goats. The key to conscious walking is being mindful of each step, says Cathy. We take short, soft strides, aware that heavy footfalls jar the body. We try to relax our legs between the steps, clearing the mind as we heed the sensations of the body. “You learn to leave the big rocks of worry behind you,” says Cathy, 43, who fell in love with the mountains at eight years old. “When you are concentrating on your walking you are out of your everyday mind, not thinking of working on your computer, housework or personal family problems. “It’s very calming. With our busy, stressed lives, this walking makes us in the moment. It’s a way of de-cluttering, of washing everything from the mind.” No de-stressing holiday - or “distressing” holiday, as my French colleague insists on calling it - would be complete without a spa visit, preferably two. A Swedish steam bath combined with a head and face massage at Massage du Monde, followed by four-handed body massage - performed, not by half an octopus, but by two therapists - has me weak at the knees. A body-scrub and organic body treatment at Cocon au Pays des Locons sends me to seventh heaven. In a waft of aromatic aromas I emerge into the heart of Morzine, with its traditional timber Savoy architecture and window boxes groaning with blooms. I am at one with nature, and so relaxed that after dining on a typical dish of grilled pork and potato dumplings, I chill out on my sunturned-moon terrace, lying back on cushions as shooting stars whiz across the blue-black sky. Key facts - French Alps Best for: Gateway to one of the world’s most extensive ski areas: 650km. Time to go: March for sunny skiing. Don’t miss: The beauty therapies on offer. Need to know: Huge choice of budget airlines go into Geneva, for75-minute shared taxi transfer by Ski-Lifts (www.ski-lifts.com) and Alp Line (www. alp-line.com). Don’t forget: Good walking shoes. Images: shutterstock.com
44 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Serves 4 Recipe A one pot wonder which is perfect for a midweek evening meal
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 45 watersidebistro.com The Plains, Totnes, TQ9 5YS 01803 864069 INDULGE IN COASTAL DELIGHTS: MUSSELS PAIRED PERFECTLY West Country Mussells with a glass of Picpoul: £17.95 Sign up for our Loyalty Scheme to receive special offers and discounts. Ask one of our members of staff. Thank You FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL WE JUST WANT TO SAY Join us for our renowned Happy Hour, for great deals offers on our wide range of drinks from 4pm to 6pm every day.
Method 1. Pre heat the oven to 200 degrees. 2. Place a medium pan of water onto boil while you chop your potatoes into 3-4cm chunks. Add the potatoes to boiling water and cook for 10 minutes, then drain. 3. Place a large frying pan on the heat and add a 1tbsp of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the lamb chops and sear on all sides until browned. 4. Place the potatoes into a medium sized oven tray and nestle the lamb chops in amongst them. Add the rosemary, asparagus spears and peas and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Roast in the oven for 10 minutes until the asparagus is cooked and the potatoes are crispy. 5. Serve immediately. www.britishasparagus.com British asparagus and lamB chop tray bake You’ll need: • 250g white potatoes • 4 lamb chops • 2 tbsp olive oil • A few sprigs of rosemary • 250g British asparagus • 260g frozen peas SERVES 2 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 15-20 minutes The perfect alternative to a Sunday roast for Spring time. Just 5 ingredients, this has little preparation time and will seriously deliver on flavour. Method 1. Pre heat the oven to 200 degrees. 2. Place a medium pan of water onto boil while you chop your potatoes into 3-4cm chunks. Add the potatoes to boiling water and cook for 10 minutes, then drain. 3. Place a large frying pan on the heat and add a 1tbsp of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the lamb chops and sear on all sides until browned. 4. Place the potatoes into a medium sized oven tray and nestle the lamb chops in amongst them. Add the rosemary, asparagus spears and peas and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Roast in the oven for 10 minutes until the asparagus is cooked and the potatoes are crispy. 5. Serve immediately. www.britishasparagus.com British asparagus and lamB chop tray bake You’ll need: • 250g white potatoes • 4 lamb chops • 2 tbsp olive oil • A few sprigs of rosemary • 250g British asparagus • 260g frozen peas SERVES 2 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 15-20 minutes The perfect alternative to a Sunday roast for Spring time. Just 5 ingredients, this has little preparation time and will seriously deliver on flavour. Method 1. Pre heat the oven to 200 degrees. 2. Place a medium pan of water onto boil while you chop your potatoes into 3-4cm chunks. Add the potatoes to boiling water and cook for 10 minutes, then drain. 3. Place a large frying pan on the heat and add a 1tbsp of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the lamb chops and sear on all sides until browned. 4. Place the potatoes into a medium sized oven tray and nestle the lamb chops in amongst them. Add the rosemary, asparagus spears and peas and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Roast in the oven for 10 minutes until the asparagus is cooked and the potatoes are crispy. 5. Serve immediately. www.britishasparagus.com British asparagus and lamB chop tray bake You’ll need: • 250g white potatoes • 4 lamb chops • 2 tbsp olive oil • A few sprigs of rosemary • 250g British asparagus • 260g frozen peas SERVES 2 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 15-20 minutes The perfect alternative to a Sunday roast for Spring time. Just 5 ingredients, this has little preparation time and will seriously deliver on flavour. 46 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Recipe
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 47 THE PLAINS FORE STREET THE ROYAL SEVEN STARS TOTNES BR DI GE Our freezers are packed with an extensive range of loose freshly frozen fruits & a large selection of pastries, fishcakes, potato products & frozen fish fillets. Fresh milk, cheese Local eggs, bread & honey Chilled foods & drinks Store cupboard essentials Locally roasted coffee beans & loose leaf teas World foods ingredients Vegan, vegetarian & meat friendly foods Gluten free & diary free foods also available Household & body care refills CBD & Nutritional foods The Plains, Totnes TQ9 5DR Find us: Call us: therefillerytotnes.com 07950 269955 Zero packaging and food waste Website features original music written by David Lyon
48 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 A SOUTH HAMS FESTIVAL PLANNED FOR 2025 There are plans afoot for a South Hams Arts and Performance Festival to be held throughout the district in the summer of 2025. The proposed festival has emerged following discussions between South Hams District Council and NDP Circus which previously delivered a successful Totnes Festival in 2022 that attracted over £65,000 of Arts Council funding, £15,000 of funding from Totnes Town Council and £30,000 through SHDC along with many visitors to the town. The 2022 Festival was held in and around Totnes and Dartington and the highlight was a performance by the Globe Theatre at Dartington Hall. Dozens of the town’s organisations took part in and supported the festival with its many events. It is proposed that the South Hams 2025 Festival project will see activities and performances being organised across all the towns and parishes throughout South Hams. The plan is to deliver a week-long festival across all of South Hams during the summer of 2025 and bring together a range of community organisations focused on arts and culture with one of the key themes being climate change. Article by Cllr John Birch, SHDC councillor for Totnes In preparing for the festival the key activities will include: • Networking and partnership building with key organisations from across the district. • Securing a contribution from local councils together with businesses to provide match funding for an Arts Council bid. • Coordination of a programme of festival activities. • Engagement with key groups, including schools and colleges, to ensure that the activities will be able to reach as many residents and visitors as possible. • Promotion of activities to ensure that the festival is a key driver for attracting tourism to our towns and parishes. • Ensure that climate change mitigation is a key theme promoted throughout the festival. In preparing for the festival South Hams District Council will be working with NDP Circus who have a track record of delivering arts and culture events, and of successfully drawing down significant levels of Arts Council funding to deliver previous festivals. At the same time South Hams District Council plans to tackle the need for an Arts and Culture Strategy. The festival can be held in parallel with the strategy in hope that this will act as a launch platform for wider arts and culture activities across the entire district.
Please mention Totnes Directory when responding to adverts 49
50 Advertise from just £24 per month* | Call 07875 538 848 Jason Mountjoy’s - Independent financial guidance The Tsunami of electoral noise that’s about to crash in ! Jason Mountjoy DipFA / Independent Financial Adviser (Diploma) & Life Planner Based at Waterside House, The Plains Totnes TQ9 5DW / [email protected] An essential competency for each investor is the capacity to distinguish between signal and noise. The term “signal” describes the pertinent, precise, and useful data that investors use to guide their financial decisions. On the other hand, noise refers to any material that diverts investors’ attention from long-term goals to immediate worries. Sensationalised news headlines, speculative market predictions, and market commentary are common examples of this noise. Making logical, fact-based judgements that support our financial objectives as long-term investors requires the ability to distinguish signal from noise. Even in regular periods, the signal of meaningful information is greatly outweighed by noise. But since general elections are being held in many nations this year, we should prepare for a deluge of noise to hit the media in the upcoming months. It will be difficult to sort through this tsunami of information, but if you maintain your focus on your long-term strategy, you can stay the course and resist being carried away by the drama surrounding the election. Elections and Distractions in the Media Politics during elections seems to bring out the worst in people. Politicians are all over the newsfeeds and airwaves, waging war on their rivals and making audacious claims. This division is frequently exacerbated by the media, which makes it difficult for investors to distinguish reality from fantasy. Whatever favourable economic advances occur while they are in office, the incumbents will take pride in them. If they are re-elected, they will present a positive outlook for the future, guaranteeing further development and prosperity. On the other hand, the opposition will probably attribute economic problems like high unemployment, market instability, and inflation to the current administration. They will contend that in order to restart the economy, a new administration is required. It’s crucial to keep in mind that it’s rarely a good idea to build long-term financial decisions on these assertions. Political discourse frequently ignores the nuanced realities of the global economy in favour of exaggeration and oversimplification. Even while there could be some short-term volatility, a number of factors other than a particular election or political party affect the financial markets’ long-term trajectory. Astute Techniques For Cutting Through The Noise How can you make your way through this tsunami of electionrelated noise? Recognising how the election may affect your emotional state of mind and potential investing conduct is the first step. When emotionally charged language and contradicting facts are thrown at you, it’s simple to get carried away and act rashly. Reduce your media consumption to lessen your exposure to the never-ending stream of politically sensitive information in order to lessen the risk. This isn’t to say that you should completely ignore the news; rather, it means choosing your sources carefully and limiting the amount of time you spend on election-related content. Articles that provoke fear or strong emotions should be avoided in especially since they could not be in your best interests. Rather from getting sucked by the short-term noise, have faith in your carefully thought-out, long-term financial plan. Your objectives, the needed rate of return on investment, and your time horizon should all inform this plan. Make portfolio adjustments only in the event that your financial objectives or situation have changed. Your financial plan is intended to assist you in achieving your long-term goals and navigating any short-term turbulence. It is based on historical data and reasonable market expectations. A Vote Regarding Your Financial Prospects Your mind is going to turn into a battlefield for attention in the upcoming months. Media sources and politicians will compete for your attention in an effort to influence your views and choices. Election season will be all over the media, with debates, news reports, and campaign commercials taking up much of the airtime. While participating in the political process and being an informed citizen are crucial, don’t let the election’s hype overshadow your long-term financial objectives. When the deluge of electionrelated noise builds, never forget to keep your eyes on the prize: your long-term objectives and financial security. You can successfully navigate this difficult time and come out with your financial future intact if you tune out the noise and stick to your investment strategy. We are always here to address any worries you may have about how the elections will affect your investments in our capacity as your financial advisor. We may go over your financial plan together and make any required changes to keep you on target.