22nd Nov 2005 Update -

East Devon District Council have approved this application this evening, as I  have to comply with Codes Of Conduct  I am stopped from telling you what I think of this application process. It is the first time as a councillor that I have ever been refused permission to speak and represent my town at an adjoining authority - I hope you can form your own opinion !

Just to show how talented and versatile our Culm Valley residents are a selection of local craftspeople have got together to hold a Christmas Bazaar at the Parish Rooms (the Town Hall)  in Cullompton High Street on Saturday December 3rd.

'People know about the Tiverton Christmas Craft Fair, but it is very hard to take part even for long established local craftspeople', said organiser Tricia Cassel-Gerard. 'I thought it would be great if we could start a tradition of selling handcrafted and fairly traded gifts in Cullompton, so that local people can shop in their own high street.'

Goodies on offer will include felt hats made from organic sheeps wool, designer scarves from Rackenford, locally made silver and semi-precious stone jewelry, mirrors in beautiful frames - made in Bradninch, slipper socks, pottery, cards, star lanterns and unusual gifts and decorations from India, leather goods, jewelry from Thailand and Traidcraft coffee, tea and chocolate.  Visitors will be able to rest with a cup of tea and some home made cake and the second cup comes free!

There will be face painting for young and old and the whole proceedings will be presided over by the Christmas Fairy!  So come along and make a wish, between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday, 3rd December at the Parish Rooms in Cullompton.

Any queries can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Planning Approval 

Today Wednesday 9th November 2005 at Mid Devon District Council Planning Meeting after listening to applicants and objectors and having discussed all the issues at great length it was decided :-

1. To approve the proposed new Doctors Surgery in Willand Rd, Cullompton.

 2. To approve the Tesco supermarket application, Station Rd, Cullompton (Revised entry in to site via a roundabout) Outline approval previously given to the main site.

 A further detailed application for the entire Tesco site will be dicussed in December.

Details will be made available in due course.

Glorious Chorus Come to Bradninch

After the rapturous reception received for their summer concerts with full houses and standing ovations, Glorious Chorus are about to lift the spirits with a visit to Bradninch as part of their series of seasonal concerts in the South West. Leave your preconceptions behind and be blown away as this 40-strong acapella choir led by Helen Yeomans celebrates the seasons through an eclectic mix of gospel, soul & blues music.

Glorious Chorus has been a success story since its inception three years ago. Most of the music is written by Helen herself, and she has quickly been able to attract gifted soloists, including Gale Alexander and familiar to Bradninch audiences the Plymouth jazz star, Louise Parker.

The visitors will be welcomed by our local and extremely talented Stephie Mills who has enchanted audiences at previous seasonal music celebrations. Stephie has a voice which can find the sincerity of contemporary and traditional songs in a way which can touch the soul.

An amazing evening is in store with a choir that will have you rethinking what you thought a choir was in the first place. If you like your music uplifting and full of heart, Glorious Chorus will feed you like soul-food. If you haven't heard them yet, now's the time! Spellbinding will be Saturday 10 December, 7:30 pm start on St Disen's Church. £5/ £4 including interval refreshments, tickets available from Bradninch Post Office & Londis store or Tel 01392881105

Bradninch Folk Club at the Castle Hotel, Bradninch, every other Tuesday 15 November, 29 November, 13 December and 27 December (Christmas party)

Kind Regards

Gerard Edwards