January draft minutes published
Draft minutes of January’s Full Council Meeting are now published and available on the website.
Wassail! Wassail!
As any fule kno, the best way to ensure a really good apple harvest is to bless the trees in midwinter with libations of cider, while at the same time singing, dancing and making loud noises in the orchard to scare away evil spirits. Or at least that’s the theory behind the Old English custom of Wassail (or “good health”) that is currently undergoing a huge revival across the country.
Sceptical? Come and join the revellers on Saturday 17 January at Chillington Village Hall and see for yourself! Tea and coffee, apple juice and cider, hot and cold food will be served. There’ll be music, singing, dancing, spirit-scaring and lots more. Action starts at 12.15 – see you there!
December Full Council minutes published
Approved minutes of December’s Full Council meeting are now published and available on the website.
January Agenda published
The agenda for next Thursday’s Full Council meeting of Stokenham Parish Council is now published and available on the website
Draft December minutes published
Draft minutes of December’s Full Council meeting are now published and available on the website.
The Cornelius Fund – offering help to local people in need
The Cornelius Fund considers grants for those in need in the Kingsbridge area, to help with rental deposits, first month’s rent and other household needs, such as carpets and white goods. The past year has seen a fall in applications to the fund: readers are asked to spread the word and advise anyone who might need extra help in this regard to contact thecorneliusfund@gmail.com.
The fund is also seeking new committee members with good communication skills. To find out more go to https://corneliuskingsbridge.org.uk/
To make one-off or monthly donations: Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-94-72, Account 00455128
November Full Council Minutes published
Approved minutes of November’s Full Council meeting are now published and available on the website.
Temporary Closure of Helmer’s Bridge
The pedestrian walkway that links the Helmer’s Estate in Chillington with the playing field and park is temporarily closed while contractors investigate rotting timbers which could make the structure dangerous to users. Both carrier joists and a number of decking planks on the ramp at the eastern end of the walkway (playing-field end) are seriously weakened and could fail at short notice. A spokesperson for Stokenham Parish Council, which owns the playing-field end of the walkway, said that the timbers were reaching the end of their expected life and plans were already in place to renew the structure with more durable materials. In the meantime the council had no choice but to advise walkers to avoid using it. The closure has been marked with barrier tape: those continuing to use the walkway before repairs are effected do so at their own risk! 
November draft minutes published
Draft minutes of November’s Full Council Meeting are now published and available on the website.
Dartmouth Ferry Refit Timetable
With Christmas just around the corner, Dartmouth’s Lower Ferry is gearing up to keep the festive spirit, and the town, moving! To keep passengers safe and to follow legal guidelines, the ferries’ annual refits and Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspections will be taking place between November and February.
The team are working hard to make sure your journeys across the Dart are as smooth as possible this winter. They’ll have extra staff on board during single ferry periods, working hard to keep everything running safely and efficiently. Please be patient and kind to the team – they’re here to help you get where you need to go.
Winter Service Schedule:
Starting with Tom Avis and Hauley VI getting their refits, the services will run as follows:
- Single ferry service
- Will run until Monday 8 December 2025.
- Double ferry service over the busy Christmas period.
- Will run from Monday 8 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026.
It’s then the turn of Tom Casey and Hauley V to have their annual safety updates and checks, but the team will wait until after the New Year to restart.
- Single ferry service
- Will run between Monday 5 January to Monday 9 February 2026.
- Double ferry service
- Will run from on its usual schedule from Monday 9 February 2026.
The full service returns for the rest of winter and into spring with all dates being subject to change depending on MCA availability and inspection findings.