Over the May Bank Holiday members of the Upper Culm Twinning Association made their biennial visit to our Twinning partners in France.  For those of you who are not familiar with the association, we are twinned with a group of villages in the LoireValley about halfway between Nantes and Angers.

Forty one Upper Culm residents, including several new members, enjoyed a superb weekend of French hospitality. Thirty seven of us travelled aboard our coach, hired from Redwoods, whilst four members travelled independently.  We left Hemyock on Thursday evening for the overnight ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff arriving in France at around 8a.m.  We followed the coastal route down through Brittany, heading for the harbour town of Vannes on the Gulf of Morbihans.  We had plenty of time in Vannes to explore the town and take a leisurely lunch before continuing our journey south towards our destination in the Loire Valley.

As part of the Jubilee Celebrations, we are having a photo competition. It covers past and present royal occasions. 

Entry is open to non-professional photographers.  Cash prizes. Entries close at midnight on June 29th, so get snapping! 

Entries will be posted on hemyock.org after the competition closes and  can be voted for by anyone.  Judging of the top 3 in each Category is on Saturday 29th June.   There is even talk of making them into a Hemyock Calendar for next year!

We have reduced the number of categories, to coordinate better with St Mary's, who seem to be having a photo competition too!

Erection of 1 50kw wind turbine - Land at NGR 312536 111830 (Highlands Farm) Hemyock, Devon – Planning Reference: 12/00456/F​​​ULL

Due to the concerns expressed to the Parish Council, an Open Meeting will take place on Thursday 17th May at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall to discuss the above planning application.

You can see the full application online by visiting http://planning.middevon.gov.uk/online-applications/ and entering the reference 12/00456/FULL into the search

Due to the flooding, many people are unable to get to The Blackdown Healthy Living Centre.  As a result, some activities will be cancelled.  Please contact your respective group organiser for more information.

Cameo Club will be closed Monday 30 April, to avoid putting our volunteer drivers and members at risk.  If similar conditions exist on Thursday, we may also be closed.  Call before you set off.

01823 680687

Sunday 29th April will see a special service at St Mary's church at 6.30p.m taking an informal Iona style form of worship which will be led by Rev. David Burton. All are welcome.

The morning service will see the churches of Hemyock, Culm Davy and Clayhidon joining All Saints, Culmstock at 10a.m. for Holy Communion.  The following weekend (5th - 7th May) All Saints will be holding a Flower Festival with Wellington School Choir singing Evensong at the church  on the Sunday at 6.30p.m.

Don’t forget the Annual Parish Meeting this Thursday (19th April) in the Parish Hall at 7pm. There will be various displays around the hall and the following speakers:-

A new weekly class coming to The Blackdown Healthy Living Centre. Starting on Thursday May 24th from 10am to 12.30pm. 10 weeks every Thursday.

Tonight, Maundy Thursday, Hemyock Singers, conducted by Ron White, will be presenting 'Requiem' written by Bob Chilcott.  The concert will begin at 7.30p.m. and last around 35minutes. Soloists will be Jenny Doble (soprano) and Glyn Jones (tenor) with Nigel Atkinson as organist.  Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection which will be equally shared between 1st Hemyock Scout Group and 1st Hemyock Brownies.

For many years Hemyock Singers have given a performance at the Parish Church as part of worship during Holy Week and as usual the concert will be followed by an optional service of Holy Communion.  

Just a quick reminder that some groups at The Blackdown Healthy LIving Centre will be closed for Easter. 

If you are not certain if this affects one of the groups you attend, please contact the respective organiser.

Happy Easter from all at The Centre.

Throughout the period of Lent members of St Mary's organised weekly Frugal Lunches at the Church Room rasisng £580 to support the work of Rev Jenny Green in  Kisoro, Uganda.

A further £100 was raised at the lunch held on Ash Wednesday and this will be donated to The Potters Village where Jenny heads up the work of rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned babies and neglected chidren. If you would like to make a donation towards this or find out further information please contact one of the names on St Mary's Church page.

Throughout the week leading up to Easter Sunday there will be a number of services in the Upper Culm Valley churches. 

At St Mary's there will be Holy Communion on Tuesday 3rd April at 7p.m. On Thursday at 7.30p.m. Hemyock Singers will be singing 'Requiem' a modern setting by Bob Chilcott and this will be followed by Holy Communion at 8.15p.m. for those who wish to stay.

At 12 noon on Good Friday there will be An Hour At The Cross with music and Easter Sunday will be celebrated with Holy Communion at 11.15a.m. 

The retiring collection at the concert will be donated to Hemyock Scout Group and Brownie Pack.

Hemyock Tennis Club are holding an Open Evening on Friday 18th May and would welcome anyone (young or old, lapsed player or complete beginner) to come along & have a go. You don’t even have to bring your own racket because Tony Pryce Sports will be bringing a range of rackets to try out. Our coach, Dan Loftus, and existing members will also be there to give help and encouragement if needed. The pavilion will be open for light refreshments.

No need to book.

Further information from Julie Steed (01823 680787)