What a wonderful word……” tupping”. You will all know that a male sheep is called a Ram, but for those of you who aren’t fully aware of the strange dictionary of words used in the shepherding world, a male sheep is also commonly known as a “Tup” - hence when the rams are put in with the ewes it’s called “tupping time”. Our rams were put in at the beginning of the month and prior to the day we always give them a thorough check over to make sure they are fit for the task ahead. This time of year always reminds me of a visit we had from a number of …
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“A single ticket from Feniton, please. To errr… the South Pacific.” “The Pacific, sir?” checks the man at the counter, “that’s very adventurous, if I may be bold enough to say. Is that business, sir, or are we on holiday?” “Mmmm, you could call it God’s business, I suppose”. “My apologies, sir, I see you’re a man of the cloth. So I’m sure He will bring you back safely to us, sir. A Return ticket, then.” “I’m not so sure! Let’s stick with One-way.” “Well, have a nice trip, sir.” It’s 1855, and John Coleridge Patteson leaves the Feniton family …
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During the Covid restrictions we really missed our annual volunteers suppers which are always fun and a great way to thank all the wonderful people who keep the shop going in many different ways over the year. Last month we held our 10th anniversary tea party and it was lovely to see so many old friends, volunteers and customers who were able to get together for a good chat over a cup of tea and delicious scones and cakes made by Ed and Janet. David, the Chairman of the shop committee, made a short speech including the fact that over the last …
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We are so busy with a huge range of guests who seem so delighted to have landed in this beautiful part of the world for their holiday. What an eye opener life was arriving at Yellingham Farm! It all starts with the opening of the farm gates, a wide smile from me and a wave of the arms to park anywhere they like in the large yard. My mistake No.1 as they park skew whiff under the kitchen windows where they can view the madness occurring in the busiest, most chaotic room of the house, with Edward cooking, the laundry airing over the Aga, the …
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I sat down last week at a low table in Feniton school hall. Nervously yet excitedly, individual children showed me in turn a portfolio they had compiled. It contained their evidence of activities they’d completed: active citizenship in the school, citizenship in the community, an active hobby and a non-active hobby, adventure training and charity work. This was their assessment for the Torbay and Devon Civic Award, rather like a Primary school Duke of Edinburgh Award. Us adults, socially-distanced across the hall, were their assessors. The …
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The low moth counts continued right into June and unfortunately there are many species which may now not appear at all this year, notable amongst which is the Puss Moth. This is such a truly glorious moth and one which surely should be a firm favourite of all the cat owners in the village. I have it on authority that this has been the worst spring for insects since records began. Reports have come in from all over the country of Blue Tit broods failing due to lack of food. Oak trees came into leaf at least a month late and this meant that there …
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Summer of Grace Summer – what a wonderful word! The days stretch and relax. The sun shines (or not!). Warmth fills our bodies – winter’s cold becomes hard to imagine. Memories of childhood summers, lying back on the grass with gloriously nothing to do but gaze up at the deep blue sky and pick out animal shapes in the drifting clouds. A pint in a pub garden. The smell of suncream. Of bar-b-ques. What are you doing this summer? Less traveling than in others, perhaps. In whatever way Covid chooses to cramp our summer style, the season will still …
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