NOTICE OF VACANCY

IN OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR

 Parish of Chittlehampton

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that due to the resignation of Colin Timberlake, a vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.

If by 21 July, 2023 (14 days excluding Dies Non, after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below by TEN electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

If an election is called, it will take place not later than 25 September, 2023.

Dated 3 July, 2023

Ken Miles

Returning Officer

Lynton House

Commercial Road

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 1DG

The next meeting of the full parish council will be on 21st June. 2023

Chittlehampton Parish Council

The object of this website is to present you with as much information as possible about the parish of Chittlehampton.

There is also a latest news section which includes up to the minute news, please visit this page.

A Brief History Of Chittlehampton Parish

There has been a thriving settlement in Chittlehampton since circa. 700 A.D. in Saxon times. The village is situated 5.5 miles west of South Molton and 6.5 miles south-east of Barnstaple; the parish extending to approximately 13 square miles. The surrounding neighbourhood was ideal for farming and the village expanded as it became a centre for the area. The church and businesses grew as the neighbourhood needed support. Thus by the early 1900's, there were bakers, sweetshops, farriers, vehicle repairers and hardware sellers flourishing in the village.

As Chittlehampton expanded the centre of the village became The Square. It was flanked on the northern side by the church and the school and homes and businesses around the other three. There were reputedly 8 ale houses within the village. Today the one public house, The Bell, (Link to website) remains and along the main street the village shop sells produce and provides the local post office.

Chittlehampton is also home to the pottery and gallery of renowned potter Roger Cockram, who has had exhibitions and shows all over the world. Here you can purchase individual pieces of pottery as well as paintings and jewellery by his wife Ros. Everyone is welcome to visit and have a browse, here is a link to the website.

There are two churches within the parish. The church of St. Hieritha is very much a focal point of the village square. It dominates the higher land at the top of The Square, and it's dedication has proved a focus of village life. The saint Hieritha was martyred within the village in the 6th century and subsequently the villagers have re-enacted her martyrdom in a series of pageants in 1936, 1974 and in 2000 A.D. (Link to website)
Umberleigh Christian Fellowship is a small evangelical church situated by the bridge in Umberleigh, affiliated to the Evangelical Alliance which meets at 11am every Sunday for worship and Sunday school and Sunday evenings for meetings and housegroups. (Link to website)

The weather has also played a part in the history of the village. The River Taw, which flows through Umberleigh and is the south-western border of the parish, has risen so far in the past it caused flooding. In 1960 the properties bordering the river were beneath 28 inches of water. Later, in 1968, the waters rose to within a few inches of that level. Although Devon is not generally known for its snowfall, in 1978 there was a blizzard that filled the lanes with snow and there was no traffic movement of any kind. Many isolated hamlets were completely cut off. Sheep were lost and residents were reliant on stored resources.

Severe weather has provided the villagers with an excuse to combine to raise funds for the benefit of the church. In 1987 high winds caused a pinnacle from the church tower to crash through the church roof and embed itself within the nave. Similarly, in 1988 two further pinnacles toppled and then 10 years later, in 1998, the two previously badly repaired pinnacles toppled again. Each time the villagers rallied and raised the funds to repair the damage.

The population of the village increased and in 1801 was recorded as 1,640 but was 1,342 by 1901. Today the population of the parish is approximately 800.

Children from the parish were taught in the public elementary school which was founded in 1865 and included a house for the school teacher. It was originally built to accommodate some 200 children, who would use The Square as their playground. It is still open today. (Link to website) Also there is a school in Umberleigh. (Link to website)

CHITTLEHAMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

MEETING DATES FOR THE FULL PARISH COUNCIL 2023

7:30 PM START (UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED) AT THE METHODIST’S HALL (UNLESS STATED BELOW)

Help For The Vulnerable

In these difficult times if you need help or know someone who does, please somehow put a post on the Chittlehampton Community Facebook page, with over 400 members someone will respond to your request. Please stay safe.

Pesky Potholes!

Did you realise that you can report potholes that you find yourself? This can be done via the following Devon County Council website:
https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/report-a-pothole.
Alternatively you can just Google "Devon potholes" and follow the first suggested link.

You can then report the pothole by clicking on its location on an interactive map. There is even an opportunity to upload a photograph of the pothole to show how bad it is and help identify the one you are reporting.
However, not all potholes qualify for a repair. In order to be repaired a pothole must:
1. be over 40mm deep
    and
2. be wider than 300mm
    and
3. have a vertical rather than a shallow, sloping edge.
Once you have registered your pothole, DCC aim to have it investigated within 3 days. If the investigation confirms that it qualifies for repair, it will be added to their list of repair work to be undertaken.

North Devon District Council have requested that you put glass and plastic in separate containers to speed up the recycling collections as they are running on reduced staff, blue bins have now been distributed for the glass. Please comply with this request in these difficult times.

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