Of course it takes a whole village to make a successful event, so we have a large number of people to thank. Firstly a huge thank you to all the volunteers who worked so hard serving, cooking and baking delicious cream teas, breakfast butties and drinks. Our thanks also go to the artists who exhibited their work and stewarded the art exhibition, Ian Vanstone for taking part with his stall and to those involved in planning and set up and those who helped with the scarecrow workshop earlier in the month.

We are also hugely appreciative of the large number of people who visited the hall to enjoy our edible offerings and browse the art. The event would have been nothing without you and it was wonderful to see so many of you there.

And last, but definitely not least, to the Scarecrow Trail. We were absolutely blown away by the imagination, creativity and work done by those who entered. We had over 30 scarecrows appear in the village, which created a fabulous atmosphere, a lot of smiles and some confusion amongst the tourists. Thank you to all of you who made them, every scarecrow makes the trail ever better.

We’d also like to say thank you to everyone who braved the weather to follow the trail and vote for their favourites. Almost everyone’s scarecrow garnered at least one vote and in the end it was a close run contest. But who were the winners?

First place went to the wonderful Twitts made by the Butler family. They were a fabulous creation with so much attention to detail and who doesn’t love a man with a manky fried egg stuck in his twiggy beard? As their prize the Butlers will be enjoying Sunday Lunch for two at the Castle Inn, but they haven’t told me if the Twits will be joining them.

In contrast to the Twits, our second place winner was the beautiful Ariel, The Little Mermaid, created by Sarah Foster. A truly beautiful scarecrow, particularly loved for her sparkliness by many of the little girls following the trail. Sarah will soon be enjoying the voucher she has won for the Dartmoor Inn.

The children’s prize was won by the delightful The Long John Silver scarecrow complete with parrot on his shoulder and a chest of gold.

And finally thank you to The Castle Inn and The Dartmoor Inn for generously donating the scarecrow competition prizes.

With thanks and best wishes from The Nicholls Hall Team

• No experience needed.
• All materials and equipment provided
• A lovely way to unwind and be creative
• Create your own unique picture inspired by nature and Dartmoor.

Book now for:

Saturday 3^rd October 2026 11am to 2pm

or

Tuesday 13^th October 2026 11am to 2pm

Cost: £27

To book a workshop, or for more information, visit the art exhibition at the Nicholls Hall on Saturday 29th or Sunday 30th August, where you can also meet Jules and see more of her work. Or you can contact Bekki on 07949 870812

The closure of Lydford Bridge from late July has caused a deal of problems. As we write in mid August the ambition is to have the roadway open by early September, although the actual date of reopening is dependant upon a number of factors as yet undefined. Pressure is being maintained by the parish council as well as borough and county Councillors to ensure that traffic can begin using the bridge again as soon as is reasonably possible.

5th August 2026 the blocks have been recovered by crane and work begins to construct the cantilever scaffolding.

Lydford Bridge is a grade II listed structure of historical importance. This places a deal of limitations on how it might be repaired, the materials that can be used and the permissions required. Some of the blocks from the parapet were damaged in the fall to the bottom of the Gorge. These have had to be dressed again and some stone replaced from stores.

Repairing the bridge requires that masons have access to both sides of the parapet as they work. It is not possible to carry out the work required otherwise. Creating a platform upon which they can work safely whilst suspended some 60 feet above the Gorge below has required a great deal of scaffolding to cantilever the platform. It is the presence of this key structure which has required that the bridge be closed. Removal of the scaffolding after completing the repairs is likely to take several days.

6th August. Work continues on scaffolding

12th August. Work on the scaffolding is completed

Councillors have written to the Engineer leading the repairs to thank them for the speed with which they have responded to the damage caused to the bridge by the collision. From initial appraisal of the safety of the carriageway to completing the necessary repairs in required fashion in a little over a calendar month is commendable.

20th August 2026 The parapet has been almost completely repaired, however the last blocks need to be found from council stock as the originals were too badly damaged to be re-used.

24th August 2026 New blocks have been cut, dressed and cemented in place to replace those damaged beyond repair.

26th August 2026 – repairs to the bridge are now complete. Work will begin to remove the scaffolding – which took a week to construct.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority and the police have been notified. Please follow the guidance below to protect your financial data.

How to Stay Safe:
DO NOT SCAN: Avoid using QR codes to pay for parking. Scammers place fake stickers over official signage to redirect you to fraudulent payment sites.

USE OFFICIAL METHODS: Only pay via the official physical machines or the authorized parking app mentioned on permanent signage.

UPDATE: The company operating the payment device in Lydford car park do not use QR codes on their devices specifically because they can so easily be defrauded. If you see a QR code of barcode on any Ringo device it will direct you incorrectly.

VERIFY TAMPERING: If a QR code looks like a sticker or appears “stuck on” over original text, do not use it.

 If You Have Fallen Victim:

If you have entered your card details via a QR code link in this car park, contact your bank immediately to freeze your card. Then, report the incident:

Phone: 0300 123 2040

Online: www.reportfraud.police.uk

29th March 2026

In light of recent events and call-outs, the parish council has updated its Emergency Plan. The page also provides a link to the Home Emergency Plan which the council has produced as an aide-memoire for residents, outlining the kind of information which should be to hand in all households in case of any emergency.

The Community Emergency Response Team are volunteers and not an emergency service. If you have an emergency, please call the relevant emergency service in the usual way. Should you require help until the emergency service(s) arrive, contact the Team using any one of the phone numbers to be found in the Plan.

Grants for social inclusion and health and wellbeing projects, to registered non profit organisations. Closing date for applications is 11^th February

How to apply | Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust

Grants for improving or restoring gardens of importance or historical interest, community spaces and matters relating to conservation. Grants are awarded two times per year – April and September – application deadlines of 15 February and 15 August 26..

Garfield Weston Foundation – Devon Funding News

Grants typically in the £10,000 to £50,000 range, to charities that are making a positive difference through art, education, faith, health, welfare. Applications can be made at any time of year.

The Gibbons Trusts – Devon Funding News

The Trust supports those who are in financial hardship, elderly or unwell. Applications through registered charities or non-profit organisations. Closing date 28^th February

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation – Devon Funding News

Grants are available to small community groups and local charities to help with activities, equipment, transport etc for projects intended to combat loneliness or to encourage people to be active or engaged. Applications can be made in January, April and October.

King Charles III Charitable Fund – Devon Funding News

The fund provides small grants of up to £3,000 for up to 3 years to community – based organisations. There are three funding windows each year. Each funds projects focussing on different funding themes.

BBC Children in Need – Devon Funding News

Grants are available to support children who are facing challenges such as growing up in poverty or with health issues. Applications can be made at anytime.