You can view or download the “At Home” service for Sunday 30th October, prepared by Mrs Joan Gosling, from the Tavistock Methodist Circuit as a PDF file – click here>
A special Parish Commemorative service for Queen Elizabeth II will be held on Sunday 18th September at 3.30pm in Peter Tavy Methodist Chapel.
The service will be followed by a BRING and SHARE TEA at 4.30pm in the Village Hall.
These Parish events offer an opportunity for our community to meet together at this time.
You would be most welcome at the Service, Tea or both.
The government has put Devon under avian flu restrictions, along with Cornwall and parts of Somerset.
A number of avian influenza cases in poultry and wild and captive birds has been detected across the region, and it is hoped that the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will reduce the risk of further outbreaks of the disease occurring.
It is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, of whatever type or size. Backyard owners with small numbers of poultry including chickens, ducks and geese must take steps to limit the risk of the disease spreading to their animals.
Additionally, keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
A map of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is available on the government’s website.
The risk to public health from the virus is very low and properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
Please do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find, but report them to Defra on 03459 33 55 77
You can view or download the “At Home” service for Sunday 21st August, prepared by Edith Lasker, from the Tavistock Methodist Circuit as a PDF file – click here>
You can view or download the “At Home” service for Sunday 14th August, prepared by Graham Skedgell, from the Tavistock Methodist Circuit as a PDF file – click here>
The cost of living is affecting us all. Rising inflation and energy prices are hitting households hard, adding substantial amounts to our annual bills.
Devon County Council is keeping advice and guidance up to date on their website to help people in Devon with their rising costs.
A special edition of the DCC online newsletter has been sent out with information about support that is available.
It includes details about how we’re using the £5 million allocated to us by the government to support low-income families through the Household Support Fund.
If you missed it, you can catch up online.
You can view or download the “At Home” service for Sunday 12th June, prepared by Prim Skedgell, from the Tavistock Methodist Circuit as a PDF file – click here>
You can view or download the “At Home” service for Sunday 29th May, prepared by Christine Jeffery, from the Tavistock Methodist Circuit as a PDF file – click here>
The University of Plymouth is organising a networking event next week as part of our Devon Agri-Tech Accelerator (DATA) project.
Devon Agri Tech Accelerator (DATA) is a pilot scheme delivered through the UK government’s Community Renewal Fund (CRF) programme.
The project is to provide support and research for farmers, growers, landowners and other agricultural and Agri-Tech businesses, to develop innovations that can help build a sustainable farming community in Devon.
Supporting the CRF’s levelling-up agenda, DATA will provide innovation support to Farms in Torridge and West Devon, support Agri- Tech businesses across the county, and build a collaborative alliance to foster innovation and growth.
DATA consists of four elements:
The networking event will include discussions on soil and fertiliser efficiency, as well as a presentation on future farming resilience.
Participants will receive one to one support, including a farm visit (Covid Government advice allowing) with an experienced Agricultural Business Advisor from BIP to carry out a carbon audit and produce a Decarbonisation Plan. In some instances, further farm enterprise analysis will also take place.
The Rural Business School will also carry out a one-to-one meeting to create an Innovation Plan for the farm.
Such plans will consider advancements in the sector; the businesses readiness to innovate; opportunities for diversification and new crops; and the cost effectiveness of technologies.
Decarbonisation Plans, and farm enterprise information completed with BIP will be shared with The Rural Business School ahead of this to help inform the Innovation Plan.
Participating farms will need to commit to one-to-one support between 1st February and 31st May and be prepared with work with both BIP and the Rural Business School.
Pilot scheme participants will receive priority invitations to two show case events demonstrating Agri-Tech advancements and the technologies available to farmers.
The next event is due to take place at Bradford and Cookbury Village Hall, Bradford, Devon, EX22 7AB, on 26 May 2022 from 10am.
You can read more on the DATA project website, or book your place at the event via Eventbrite.
Eighty two per cent of people eligible for their spring booster have received theirs, according to the latest government figures.
Spring boosters are offered to all over 75 year olds, people over the age of 12 who are immunosuppressed, and residents in care homes for elderly people.
UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive, Dr Jenny Harries, said:
“The spring booster offers additional protection to those most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
“Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent falling seriously ill, so these latest uptake figures are very encouraging.”
Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said:
“Living with coronavirus in our communities is the new norm, and with it there is an onus on us all to do everything we can to protect ourselves from becoming seriously ill should we catch it.
“As the government announces new booster programmes, it’s important that those invited come forward. It is never too late for anyone to come forward for their vaccination, if you have missed any.”
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is recommending an autumn 2022 booster programme, to maintain protection against severe COVID-19 this winter.
Like the spring booster, the autumn booster is likely to be for vulnerable adults, as well as frontline social care and health workers.
The recommendation is interim for now, recognising the considerable uncertainty around likelihood, timing and severity of any potential future wave of COVID-19.
The committee recommends that the booster be offered to:
The JCVI will announce its final plans for the autumn booster programme, including definitions of clinical risk groups, in due course.