Beware – Rogue Traders!

By Featured

Increasing reports of rogue traders in Devon

Trading Standards, Police and Local Authorities are all warning residents that there has been an increase in rogue traders targeting residents in the county.

In particular individuals are knocking on doors and suggesting that work needs to be carried out on the properties roof. These people are giving the impression that they are representatives of well known, reputable local companies making it difficult to identify that they are in face rogue traders. Advice from the Local Authority, Devon and Cornwall Police and Trading Standards is not to employ anyone knocking on your door touting for business and to always thoroughly check out anybody you are thinking of employing to carry out any work. They have also produced two leaflets with great advice about dealing with trades people and cold callers. You can download these by clicking on them below.

Defibrillator Training at Village Hall

By Community Information, Featured, Upcoming, Village Hall, What's On

Defibrillator Training

The Village Hall and Playing Field Committee have arranged for free defibrillator training for Brentor residents. The training will take place in the village hall on the 23rd April 2024 between 7.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m.

The course is free of charge but there is a limit of 20 participants so registering is essential. You can either register at the coffee morning on the 6th April or by contacting Sandra Johnson via email by completing the form below:

     

    Alvin Diaz – Update

    By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues

    Alvin Diaz

    Alvin has now been missing for two days.

    The Police have traced Alvin to the bus station in Tavistock where it is believed that he boarded a bus for Plymouth. It is not known at this point where he got off the bus but the working theory is that he has travelled to the city. Alvin has links to the boating community in Plymouth and it is possible that he has visited one of the marinas or boat yards in the area.

    Please spread the word about Alvin, his family are desperate to bring him back home.

    Update on the search for Brentor resident Alvin Diaz

    By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues

    Update on the search for Brentor resident Alvin Diaz

    Update at 20:00 28th March 2024.

    Alvin has still not been located. However the Police now believe that he may be in the Plymouth area as it is thought that he boarded a bus for Plymouth after travelling to the bus station in Tavistock on the 118 bus from Brentor. Enquiries are continuing to try and locate Alvin, if anyone has any information that they think may help the Police locate Alvin please call 999 and quote Log 408 of 27th March 24.

    There is a Facebook thread about the search: (20+) Brentor, Lydford & Mary Tavy Hub | Facebook

    Police search for Brentor resident Alvin Diaz

    By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues

    Concern for missing Brentor man Alvin Diaz

    From Devon & Cornwall Police (original article)

    Police are growing concerned for the welfare of a 72-year-old man who has been reported missing from Brentor in West Devon.

    Alvin Diaz was last seen at around 10am this morning [27 March] at his home but has not been seen or heard from since.

    Alvin is described as a white man, around 5ft 9ins tall and of slim build. He is bald with grey round the sides and grey stubble.

    He is believed to be wearing a jacket, navy blue trousers with a blue jumper. He may be wearing a black woolly hat and Merrell trekking shoes. He may also be wearing blue rimmed glasses.

    Searches are enquiries are ongoing in the area in efforts to find Alvin but we’re asking for the public to report any sightings or information which may help us.

    Anyone who sees Alvin or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact police on 999 quoting log 408 of 27 March.

    Your Parish Council needs you!

    By Featured

    Could you be a Parish Councillor?

    Brentor Parish Council is looking for new councillors to join the Parish Council and would love to hear from you if you are interested in helping your local community.

    Parish Councils are the lowest tier of local government and represent local people and deliver local services, such as the provision of burial grounds and maintenance of drains and other facilities. You do not need to be elected to a Parish Council as the council has the power to co-opt councillors and you need no previous experience or qualifications. All you need is a desire to help your local community and some spare time.

    If you are interested in becoming a councillor please get in touch using the Contact Us page and we will be happy to have a chat about the role.

    Mount Kelly Choral Society Spring Concert

    By Featured

    Mount Kelly Choral Society and Orchestra in Concert

    Mount Kelly Choral Society and Orchestra

    Saturday 20th April 19:30

    St Eustachius' Parish Church, Tavistock

    Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

    Mount Kelly Choral Society and Orchestra

    Conductor: Dan Robson

    We will be performing Karl Jenkins' most popular work in this, the year of his 80th birthday. It is in many ways a call for peace in times of war, and has several movements which are settings of texts from the Catholic Mass. It also uses the 15th-century folk song "L'homme armé" which featured in choral works by Josquin des Prez and Francisco Guerrero, amongst others, as well as texts from more modern authors including Rudyard Kipling. Accompanied by wind, brass, keyboards and percussion, this promises to be an exciting and moving concert.

    Tickets: £14 TicketSource (www.ticketsource.co.uk/mount-kelly-choral-society) or Bookstop in Tavistock; £15 cash on door. Under-18s free.

    Further information on the MKCS website www.mountkellychoralsociety.com

    New defibrillator at the playing field

    By Featured

    The Brentor Village Hall and Playing Field Committee have obtained and installed a new defibrillator in the Playing Field in Burn Lane.

    The Parish Council are in the process of acquiring a new defibrillator for outside the Village Hall, we are hoping that it will be in place in the next few weeks.

    In order to access the defibrillators you will need to use a code that will be provided by the operator when you call 999.

    Stop the Meters – Tavistock Parking – Public Meeting

    By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues

    Stop the Meters – Tavistock Parking – Public Meeting

    There is a public meeting at the Bedford Hotel on 28th February 2024 at 6 p.m. to discuss the next steps in the campaign to stop parking charges being imposed in Tavistock. Devon County Council are meeting on the 13th March to decide whether to implement the charges and there is a protest planned at County Hall. For more information visit the campaign website at https://www.tavistockbid.co.uk/stop-the-meters-campaign

    Road Closure Notice

    By Community Information, News, Parish Council

    Road Closure

    Notice has been given by DCC of another road closure in the Parish from Thursday 2nd May to Tuesday 7th May 2024:

    ROAD FROM HAYE DOWN TO STAGS HEAD HOUSE, BRENTOR

    The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - ROAD FROM HAYE DOWN TO STAGS HEAD HOUSE - ROAD FROM WESTCOTT TO BRENTOR BRIDLEPATH - ROAD FROM PITLAND CORNER  TO HEATHFIELD PLANTATION - ROAD FROM SPORTSMANS CROSS TO NEWLANDS - ROAD FROM HAYE DOWN TO SPORTSMANS CROSS - ROAD FROM HAYE DOWN TO STAGS HEAD HOUSE

    You can download the full notice here:
    240201 TTRO2455315 On Site Notice (002)

    Defibrillator at the village hall

    By Featured

    The defibrillator at the Village Hall has been taken out of service due to a technical fault. The emergency services have been informed so that no one is advised to use it whilst it is repaired or a new one sourced.

    In the meantime the nearest defibrillator is at Mary Tavy Post Office.

    For information about performing CPR in an emergency please click here: Emergency CPR

    Road Closures

    By Featured

    Road Closure - Burn Lane and Brentor Road, Mary Tavy

    DCC have given notice of two road closures:

    Burn Lane, Brentor - 18th to 29th March 2024: Closure of the road so that works can be carried out to the old railway bridge

    Brentor Road, Mary Tavy - 9th to 11th April 2024: Closure of road for water mains work

    Both of these closures will cause some inconvenience but the works in Mary Tavy will have more impact. You can find out more about the closures, including the exact location, by clicking on the link here Map (highway-iams.uk) and entering Brentor into the search box and then clicking on the blue and white menu button to the left of the search box. This will open up some options on the left of the screen where you can select the type of information that you want to see.

     

    4G Booster Voucher Scheme Relaunched

    By Featured

    4G Boosters - Voucher Scheme Relaunched

    Connecting Devon and Somerset have recently relaunched the scheme allowing Devon residents to apply for a voucher to improve the indoor 4g mobile signal. Improving the signal can give faster, more reliable Internet and calls over the mobile phone network. There are a number of restrictions and requirements before a voucher (worth up to £1200) is issued, for full details click here: Mobile Boost Voucher Scheme – a guide

    Devon Carbon Plan – your view needed

    By Featured

    Make your views known on the Devon Carbon Plan

    West Devon Borough Council are considering whether to endorse the Devon Carbon Plan, the response to the Devon Climate Emergency and roadmap to Net Zero by 2050. You can read about the plan here: Devon Carbon Plan Summary

    The DCP is a comprehensive document that impacts on nearly everything and everyone in the County and has been endorsed by organisations such as the DNPA, local councils and interest groups. If you would like to comment on the DCP and the impact it will have on you or your business then please get in touch and we will forward your comments on.






      Pothole misery

      By Community Information, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

      Local pot holes highlighted in local press

      Will Walker-Smith is so fed up with the state of the roads in the Parish he sent a picture in to the local paper showing the shocking state of the roads in Liddaton which they published highlighting the issue (again). Residents in Liddaton feel as if DCC have forgotten that they exists as little has been done to remedy the appalling road conditions and drainage/flooding problems there. DCC have been repeatedly informed by residents and BPC (as well as local and county councillors Robert Oxborough and Phillip Sanders) of a number of issues in our parish but little has been done to remedy them. If you would like to report an issue on the roads to DCC the easiest way is through their online reporting tool: Report a problem - Roads and transport (devon.gov.uk) .

      Maybe if enough people report issues then something will be done!

      Proposed parking charges in Tavistock and Okehampton

      By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

      Parking charges consultation ends 7th January - be quick!

      Devon County Council has announced plans to introduce on street parking charges in Tavistock and Okehampton despite opposition from just about everyone. Not only is there strong opposition to the proposed charges DCC have not provided any evidence to support the benefits that they believe the charges will bring (better air quality, less traffic and better access to premises).

      The consultation period ends at the end on the next week (7th January). Please click on the link below to send your thoughts to DCC about what appears to be another cash grab. There is more information on the following sites:

      You can send your comments using the form here Parking Charges Response Form and sign the petition here Petition · Stop The Meters! Protect Tavistock Town Centre - Keep Parking Free. · Change.org and another here Petition | Tavistock (visit-tavistock.co.uk)

      Former Borough and Parish Councillor honoured

      By Community Information, News, Parish Council

      Former councillor Terry Pearce recognised for his service as Borough Councillor.

      Alderman presentation - L to R - Terry Pearce, Diana Moyse, West Devon Mayor Cllr Lynn Daniel, Mike Davies, and Mark Ridgers

      Terry Pearce, who for many years represented Brentor at West Devon Borough Council as well as serving as the Chair of Brentor Parish Council, has been honoured by being made an Honorary Alderman of West Devon Borough Council. The honour was made in recognition of his service to the communities of West Devon. Terry worked tirelessly for the people of Brentor and the other wards he represented before stepping down last year. You can read more about the award here.

      DCC Roads and Transport reporting tool

      By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council, Parish Council News

      DCC roads and transport - report an issue

      Devon County Council Roads and Transport have an online tool that allows the reporting of problems with the roads or transport in the County. You can use the service to report issues such as flooding, blocked drains, pot holes or defective signage. The Parish Council have been informed that the quickest way to report an issue, and presumably get it resolved, is to use this service. In an emergency (something that is very likely to present an imminent threat to life or serious injury or serious damage to property) do not use the tool but contact the emergency line on tel:03451551004.

      Meeting with Sir Geoffrey Cox

      By Featured, Parish Council, Parish Council News

      Meeting with Sir Geoffrey Cox

      A meeting has been arranged by Cllr Robert Oxborough, our WDBC member, between the local Parish Councils and Sir Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, to discuss various issues that are of great concern to those living and working in the area. The meeting is due to take place early in the new year.

      Top of the list is the abysmal provision of reliable internet connections in the Parish. Despite much effort over the years from both public bodies such as the Parish Council and local residents the provision of decent broadband still appears to be something that Openreach is unable, or unwilling to achieve. Another concern is the crumbling condition of local roads with pot holes frequently causing dangerous and expensive damage to vehicles on a regular basis. Speeding, flooding, the maintenance (or not) of culverts and drains by Devon County Council have also been suggested as subjects to be raised at the meeting.

      If you would like to suggest a subject to raise with Sir Geoffrey or have information that you would like to the Parish Council to highlight with him, for example repeated failed attempts to get pot holes repaired, please get in touch using the form opposite.

      Suggest a subject






        Thermal Imaging Cameras for loan

        By Community Information, Featured, News, Parish Council, Parish Council News

        Thermal Imaging Cameras for loan

        Image of a house through a thermal imaging device

        Thermal imaging can help detect where heat is leaking from your property

        Are you interested in seeing where your property is "leaking" heat?

        West Devon Borough Council has obtained several thermal imaging cameras that can be used to find where heat is leaking from your windows, walls and roof. Information on the scheme can be found here: https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/housing/housing-support/thermal-imaging-camera-hire.

        If you are interested in the service then please get in touch with so we can gauge interest in the Parish and arrange for the loan of the cameras (they can only be loaned via Parish Councils).

        Thanks to our local councillor Cllr Robert Oxborough who was instrumental in arranging the acquisition of the cameras for residents use.

        Mistletoe Fair 2023

        By Featured, News, Village Groups, Village Hall

        2023 Mistletoe Fair

        Brentor Village Hall was packed with festive visitors last Saturday (2/12/23) attending the annual Mistletoe Fair. As well as tasty food and drink there were lots of stalls selling all sorts of Christmas essentials with accompanying music from the Hummingbirds.

        The fair is an important event in the Village Hall calendar raising vital funds for the upkeep of the hall. It takes an enormous amount of energy to put on such an event (and bake all those goodies!) so a big thank you to the VHPFC for their hard work in making is such as success and to all those that came along and enjoyed the event.

        See you in 2024!

        Swamp Stomp at Village Hall

        By Community Information, Featured, News, Upcoming, Village Groups, Village Hall, What's On

        BRENTOR VILLAGE HALL hosts The Swamp Stomp String Band

        BRENTOR VILLAGE HALL hosts The Swamp Stomp String Band

        Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm Tickets £12 adults £8 children

        The Swamp Stomp String Band are a raucous and energetic travelling three-piece band from the UK, consisting of banjos, upright bass, guitars, anda flat-pack honky-tonk piano. We play rambunctious, up-tempo, old-time music infused with Bluegrass, Country, Americana, and anything else you might find pouring out of a beer soaked, roadside dive-bar!

        Book tickets online at: https://villagesinaction.co.uk/performances/the-swamp-stomp-string-band/

         

         

        The Brentor Band of Hope Banner

        By Brentor History, Community Information, Featured, News

        The Brentor Band of Hope Banner

        An article has been sent to the website about the restoration and preservation of the Brentor Band of Hope Banner that was donated to the Tavistock Museum when then chapel was closed down. You can read more about it on the Brentor Band of Hope Banner page. Unfortunately the name of the person who sent the article and pictures to the site wasn't included so please get in touch and let us know your details so we can give credit to the author!

        Electoral Canvassers

        By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

        Electoral Canvassers

        It is that time of year again when canvassers will be calling on all properties within the council area who are required to, but have not yet returned, a Canvass Form with regard to Electoral Registration. The Canvassers will be trying to make contact with those households who have not supplied information that we have requested under Electoral Registration legislation. 

        The canvassers will be carrying ID and will be delivering forms and not taking information at the doorstep, unless it is offered to them.

        Upcoming MED Theatre events

        By Upcoming, What's On

        MED Theatre Events

        MED Theatre have a couple of exciting events coming up that we wanted to share with you in November!

        Friday 10th November we will be hosting our next Mothers-Who-Make Bimonthly group. Mothers Who Make Dartmoor gatherings are for creative mothers of all ages and background.

        Published South West novelist Tracey Fuller is our guest speaker this month. Tracey will share her journey through motherhood and writing. The session will be interactive, discussing and workshopping plot lines for her new book. All types of Makers (professional or passionate) and Mothers (eg. grand/to be/bereaved) are invited ~ your children, family, friends are always welcome in the space. We will be meeting 10am - 12pm in the MED Theatre studio, Moretonhampstead. Email abbystobart@medtheatre.co.uk if you would like to join. Donations welcomed.

        After this, with winter fast approaching, we are back with a Christmas Fundraising Ceilidh again this year. Come and join us on Saturday 25th November for an evening full of fun, dancing, and Christmas cheer! It will be at the Moretonhampstead Parish Hall with the amazing Moretonhampstead Folk Orchestra playing and David Faulkner calling some fun dances for all to enjoy. There will be a bar and nibbles available for sale, and a Christmassy raffle (prize donations welcomed!!). Doors open 6:30pm with the first dance at 7pm. Tickets available on the door or online in advance.

        E-mail info@medtheatre.co.uk for more info or head to our website at www.medtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/