Rattery Email Exchange (Click on image to download leaflet)
Rattery Email Exchange is a scheme which allows everyone with an interest in the parish of Rattery to share information and ideas. It is a very easy way of keeping in touch.

The scheme has been set up by Parish Councillor Richard Haigh with help from Trevor Paul, who runs the village website. We hope that it will provide a very effective way for the organisers of the many groups within the community to keep everyone well informed.
Anyone who is a member can communicate very easily with the Rattery community by sending a single email to ratteryemail@googlegroups.com This email will be automatically forwarded to everyone else who has joined the scheme.  
The email exchange will complement the village website as Trevor will be able to use the messages to keep the website up-to-date. A single email will inform everyone and update the website.
An individual member’s email address is displayed if he/she posts a message but members’ email addresses are not otherwise on display to the public, or to the membership as a whole. Membership is restricted to those people with a genuine connection with Rattery so that the scheme is free of spam and other unsolicited emails. You can unsubscribe at any time.
To join the scheme, or if you have any questions about the scheme, send an email to email@ratteryvillage.co.uk or telephone 01364 72239.

Defribillator
The Parish defibrillator is housed in the gateway to St Mary's churchyard where it is accessible 24 hours a day. Using the defibrillator is very easy and full instructions are on the device itself.

GP Surgeries:
South Brent 01364 72394. 
Buckfastleigh 01364 642534.
Totnes – Leatside 01803 862671 or The Plains – Catherine House Surgery 01803 862073.

Hospitals (with A&E department):
Derriford Hospital (Derriford Road ,Plymouth PL6 8DH) Tel: 0845 155 8155 or 01752 202082
Torbay Hospital (Lowes Bridge,Torquay TQ2 7AA) Tel: 0300 456 8000 (local rate) or 01803 614567

Click here to find out the current waiting times for Torbay and Totnes Emergency and Minor Injury Departments.

Minor Injuries Unit: Totnes (Coronation Road, opposite the fire station). 01803 862622 8am – 9pm, 7 days a week, including bank holidays (X-Rays 10am – 2.30pm, Monday, 10am – 12 noon, Wednesday, 10am – 2.30pm, Thursday)

Totnes Caring: A a registered charity offering much needed help and assistance to the elderly, disabled and vulnerable members of the community. Our support is for the relief of the elderly and sick, to enable them to live in their own homes, remain independent and not be isolated from everyone else. Visit website

South Brent Caring: South Brent and District Caring is a befriending service based in the Old School Community Centre in South Brent. They offer help to those living in South Brent and the surrounding area including Avonwick, North Huish, Diptford and Rattery Parishes. They were established as a registered charity on 18th February 2013 to meet a growing need for care services outside of the NHS. Although we do not provide personal care services, if this is something you require we may be able to signpost you to another charity or agency who are able to provide this service. Visit website

TalkWorks

A free, confidential, NHS talking therapy service for people (aged 18+) in Devon (excluding Plymouth), helping you to feel better and giving you the tools and techniques to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

For more information please go to website

Age UK: has a free advice line for the elderly or their relatives, on 0800 055 6112. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.

Image via Unsplash

How Community Members Can Help Care for Older Adults

These days, many older people are living without a healthy connection to community, family, or adequate care. In situations where the person has a family member caring for them, the family member is often overwhelmed. Learning about the issues many older adults face puts people in a better position to enrich the lives of older people. If you would like more information, these resources can get you started.

Community and Social Life
Keeping ties and maintaining social connections is critical for seniors to thrive emotionally and physically. Learn how to help seniors in your community stay connected.

101 Things To Do With An Elderly Relative or Friend
Resources to help overcome lonliness Loneliness in older people - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Resources to Help Seniors Make the Most of the Internet
Keep Up with Rattery Parish Community Events

Self-Care
Taking care of oneself is a large component of living a more vibrant and active life, so encourage senior friends to make self-care a priority.

5 Tips on Better Sleep for Older People
The Best Mealtime Tips for Getting the Nutrition You Need
Exercise for older people
The Ultimate Guide to Walking in Your Older Age

Home Security and Safety
Safety and security are common concerns for older people who live at home alone, but there are plenty of ways to make independent living comfortable.

The NHS website gives information about services and equipment including Household gadgets and equipment ot make life easier; personal alarms and security systems; home adaptations; walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility scooters and more.

There are plenty of ways to help improve the lives of older people in your community, and a little participation can go a long way. See how you can get involved in helping older adults connect with the community, maintain self-care, and increase their home security. You might realise that it even adds fulfilment to your own life.
Information provide by Beverley Nelson info@standupforcaregivers.org

Help in hard times - Contact details for local support services in and around Totnes.

The Caring Town team have produced a simple pocket guide with contact details for emergency beds and food, housing, support and advice in and around Totnes.

Printed versions (folded A3 full colour) are available at the Caring Town Info Exchange (open 10.30am-2.30pm every Monday,Tuesday,Thursday, Friday & Saturday)

Click here to view the guide.

Did you know the local NHS has a Patient Advice and Complaints Team?
NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS NEW Devon CCG) patient advice and complaints team is a service to provide patients, carers, family members, the public and staff with help, advice and support with concerns or comments relating to NHS services.

The team provides free and confidential help to investigate and resolve problems as they happen and aim to do this as quickly as possible. They can also organise in depth investigations of any problems relating to healthcare across a number of different services.

Hearing from patients helps us to make improvements and gives us early warnings of system problems. It is very important for the CCG to hear when things are going wrong.
You can contact us on the phone on 01392 267665, or 0300 123 1672 or email
Or text us at 07789 741099.

Find your local Job Centre Plus
Find your local JobCentre Plus including address information, opening times and contact details. Jobcentre Near Me makes it easy to find your nearest jobcentre plus offices and information about benenfits, support and Universal Jobmatch. Go to website

For all Devon bus timetables go to website

Rattery can be reached from the A385 using Stagecoach Gold route Torquay-Totnes-Dartington-South Brent-Plymouth. See Stagecoach’s website for timetable details. You can alight at Culver Lane, from where there’s a 15 min., 1.25km/3/4 mile walk to Mill Cross (steep uphill sections, some busy traffic at times).

Stagecoach’s South West Falcon service operates a regular Plymouth-Exeter-Taunton-Bristol service stopping at Marley Head.

People with limited mobility can get help with transport for medical appointments, shopping etc. via Totnes Caring (01803 865684 email) or South Brent and District Caring (01364 700282 email).

Trains – run from Totnes (5 miles) Ivybridge (8 miles). Timetables for all trains from Totnes Station are from the National Rail Enquiries website or telephone 0845 484950.

As well as free school transport throughout the Village for Dartington Primary School & KEVICS the Western National x 80 service runs between Plymouth & Torquay and stops at Rattery Mill, Culver Lane & Marley Head.

Trains run from Totnes (5 miles) Ivybridge (8 miles) Timetables for all trains from Totnes Station are available from 0845 484950.

Senior citizens rail cards may be obtained from Devonwide Offices 01392 383688 at discounted rates.

For more information on Public Transport in Devon go to website

Citizens Advice South Hams seeking new trustees to steer it through next 3 years
Every year Citizens Advice South Hams helps thousands of local people with the problems they face.  2020 is providing unprecedented challenges for the team that has continued to facilitate residents in dealing with issues resulting from the pandemic.  Vice Chair of the charity, Chris Peach says: “I’m immensely proud to volunteer for this charity which serves the needs of local people. Our team of paid and volunteer advisers have coped fantastically well with massive surges in demand throughout the lockdown.  Whereas at first, we experienced demand for help with employment issues, universal credit and other welfare benefits, we are now bracing ourselves in the coming months for an expected significant increase in demand for debt advice”.
To help lead the charity in setting and meeting its strategic goals the charity is recruiting trustees to join the executive board.  The role of a trustee is a voluntary one to guide and support the charity’s development and future direction, requiring a commitment of around 10 hours/month. Trustees ensure that the charity is professionally managed and that resources are utilised effectively. They are expected to attend at formal meetings once a month and lead on designated aspects of the charity’s operation. 
Janie Moor CEO of Citizens Advice South Hams says, “We are actively seeking people with a passion for our work, whilst at the same time strengthening the skills of our trustee board.  In particular we are seeking someone with fundraising experience and also someone who could help shape our digital strategy.  If you are interested to know more please do get in touch.  We are an equal opportunities organisation and particularly welcome applicants with a disability or from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.”
This year Citizens Advice South Hams has been honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Anyone interested to know more about the role should initially contact Janie email trustees@southhamscab.org.uk to arrange an informal chat.  More information can be found on https://southhamscab.org.uk/about-us/

Click on link to download PDF file
Attendance Allowance
72% of the population have been targeted by scammers in the last 2 years
That’s the estimate coming from Citizens Advice, they’re telling everyone to become scam aware and to “stop, report and talk” in their 2019 campaign. Click here for more information (pdf)

Do you or someone you know struggle to pay energy bills?

Citizens Advice South Hams is helping local residents to make significant savings on their energy bills. Clients have typically made energy cost savings of £200-£500 a year. In addition South Hams residents have been supported to secure grants towards energy efficiency improvements in their homes. These energy savings help reduce the level of fuel poverty in such households.

This is vital work, as shocking new statistics from National Energy Action reveal that one in five private rented households in the UK are in fuel poverty. A household is considered to be in fuel poverty if 10% or more of the household income is spent on fuel – in short that’s money spent on heating, hot water and running appliances. Fuel poor households commonly face the difficult choice between eating and heating. Unknown to many, and often hidden amongst the beauty of Devon, local people are struggling to pay their energy bills.  Nearly half of fuel poor households are in employment but still struggling. 

Nick White, from Citizens Advice South Hams says, “Fuel poverty is caused by combinations of low incomes, high energy prices and energy inefficient housing. Our trained Energy Advisers can help people who are struggling to pay their energy bills or who are worried about heating their homes during the winter months.  

“We have a home visiting service to advise on homes with - expensive heating systems, draught, damp and mould.  Recently we helped a householder whose storage radiator was not wired properly.  The landlord has fixed the problem and reimbursed the tenant by £700.  In another case we helped a client who could not understand why he was paying over £2,000 a year in energy bills.  We liaised with the energy company, identified an error and facilitated reimbursement totalling £985.”

If you would like to talk to Citizens Advice South Hams energy efficiency team, call 01803-659733 or email energy.advice@southhamscab.org.uk.

Free Energy Saving Advice to Help Tackle Fuel Poverty in Devon this Winter

Devon Communities Together is working in partnership with Citizens Advice to deliver this winter’s Big Energy Saving Network (BESN) programme. 
BESN wishes to help domestic consumers get good value from their expenditure on energy, to use energy effectively and have warm, comfortable homes.
We want to reach those who would most benefit from our help: people on low incomes or with homes that are difficult to keep warm. However, our advice and help is relevant to all those who want to reduce their energy costs and to use energy more efficiently.

Our offer to you
We want to help those in Devon’s rural communities, away from the towns where help and advice is more often available. We are offering to come to your community to talk to groups and individuals about:

• getting the best price from your current provider
• the pros and cons of looking for a cheaper supplier
• our oil purchasing scheme
• how to use energy effectively in the home
• measures that can be taken to make homes more energy efficient
• the supplier services available to vulnerable customers

​We also invite people to bring along their energy bills for some confidential advice on how they might reduce their costs.
We want to meet groups and individuals in your community that we can help. This may be at a regular meeting of a local organisation, an event in your village, or at a special drop in event that we can help you organise. We are also able to offer advice via a telephone session to any individuals who may prefer this method of contact.
To find out more or to arrange a visit please contact our advisors:
Aggie Szpinda email 01392 248919
Martin Rich email 07984 001542
or go to website

Download:
Energy Best Deal - A Guide to help you understand energy and make savings

Online scams

Click here to download Trading Standards Southwest Protection from Scams Guide

Number Spoofing
The “spoofing” part is generic and can apply to any inbound communications (usually for example landline, mobile, text, emails). 
These communications are manipulated (spoofed) to appear to come from someone/something you might recognise or assume you know and trust. It is usually the first step in many types and flavours of scams. 
So watch for the usual scam features: some bit of information that might apply to you and yours (this is the hook),  methods used to build trust and reel you in, time limits and implied pressure to act or respond to the communication you have received and the ask for you to respond and/or give away more of your personal information. 
Break off the communication, give yourself time/space to pause and reflect, (let the call go to answer phone or voice mail), then decide if you even should or have to respond, only follow up using your own known contact information to go back and check, then probably if it is a scam try to report it to various authorities and make the organisation that is being misrepresented aware. For more information go to Ofcom website

Regrettably Devon & Cornwall Police advise that we should expect an increase in criminal activity, particularly telephone scams pretending to sell scarce products, as a result of the Pandemic. There are a number of services available to assist victims.

Live Chat is a web-based support service that will be available to victims in Devon and Cornwall 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is anonymous, confidential and free to use. To access it please visit the Victim Support website or visit the Victim Care website. Victim Support will still offer telephone support on 0808 031 8178.

In addition to the web chat facility, other channels for victim support are still available. The Victim Care Unit can be contacted on 01392 475900 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm at the weekend. Information on the practical and emotional support on offer is available at victimcaredevonandcornwall.org.uk.

In a non-emergency, you can report a crime 24 hours a day, seven days a week via webchat, the online crime reporting form - both on the force website, or 101. There’s also a useful AskNed system that provides online advice on a range of issues.

Crime can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.

Rattery is covered by Totnes Police Station, Ashburton Road, Totnes TQ9 5JY.
Non- emergency Telephone;101 Crime Stoppers; 0800 555 111

Visit Devon and Cornwall Police website

Visit Totnes West Neighbourhood Policing page this gives information about the area.

For more information and to sign up visit website

A Neighbourhood Watch scheme is in operation if you wish your name to be added to the network or want more information contact – Mrs B Palk 01364 72115.

Parking Issues
The police deal with vehicles causing an obstruction or parked in a dangerous position. The local council deals with parking on yellow lines, on street pay and display, clearway offences, residents’ parking issues and limited waiting times.

Report minor crimes at this website

Office of Police Crime Commissioner - Have Your Say - go to website

Village Hall Tuesdays 10.00am - 11.15am Outreach Post Office with full facilities

A local producers’ market selling a range of foodstuffs (e.g. eggs, preserves, cakes, flans, fish, bread vegetables, pork products, plants, cards and more).

You can also borrow from the Village Library and meet friends over a cup of tea or coffee.

Collection Times for local Post Boxes

Find your local Post Office

Plastics - Information about how to reduce plastic use and which plastics can be recycled locally. Download PDF file

In Spring 2021, South Hams District Council will be introducing an all new ‘Super Recycler’ service, so that every household can recycle more.
The planned changes will align the recycling service with other Devon districts and add glass and a wider range of plastics to the list of items collected at the kerbside.

Click here for more information

South Hams District Council Recycling and Waste Collection Days can be found here

From South Hams District Council
Did you know that putting the wrong items into your clear and blue sacks is costing a fortune as the offending items have to be removed before recycling can take place? The problem is costing South Hams District Council around £10,000 every month, effectively throwing away money.  

This is a direct plea by South Hams District Council to all residents  They are asking residents to take a closer look at the list of items that can and cannot be recycled 
The top offenders include pizza boxes, crisp packets, black plastic trays, food and unwashed tins and bottles
Helen Dobby, Group Manager for Commercial Services, said: “I am sure that many residents are just unaware of the impact that this has on recycling  Items such as greasy pizza boxes, and dirty milk bottles, cannot be recycled
“Like many of our residents, we want to recycle as much as possible However not only can these items not be recycled but they can contaminate the rest of the recycling too It’s such a waste to collect and transport the recycling to the reprocessor, only to have some of it rejected
“While the cost of dealing with this is alarming, we can really make a big difference and recycle more just by being a little more careful about what we put into the sacks
“Please, can everyone help us to recycle more by checking the service guides or visiting our website to see what can and can’t go into the blue and clear sacks?
"We recognise that our residents are keen recyclers and may be frustrated with the current service We are therefore currently planning improvements which will include collecting more recyclables from households These changes are due to happen next year when the recycling vehicles are replaced
"In the meantime, we need to recycle at much as we can with the existing system and this means putting the correct items into sacks"
Details on what you can and can’t recycle can be found on South Hams website. 

For more information about re-cycling and waste go to website

THE MARSH – COMMUNITY COMPOST AND RE-USE CENTRE
Exeter Rd, South Brent TQ10 9JB
The site, at the old Highways depot on Exeter Road, (otherwise known as the Marsh) will accept bulky garden waste and produce compost for local collection and use.
Compost is available in a 12.5 kg bag for a £1 donation; bulk collection via trailer of unbagged compost also welcomed.
What They Accept:

• Soft Green waste material you can cut with mower or clippers
• Twiggy brushwood material that can be cut with loppers, saw or power tools
• Large branches material that came from a plant larger than you!

What they do not accept:

• stumps, vines, bamboo, Japanese knotweed or any other materials whatsoever

OPENING TIMES
Sunday mornings from 10.00am to 1.00pm

To report fly tipping go to South Hams District Council click here

Check for registered carriers to remove waste by clicking here

Local business: You can help the local economy by sourcing goods and services locally - see the Local Businesses & Services listing. Parishioners are welcome to advertise their goods and services on the notice board on the left-hand side of the entrance to the village green car park.
Farmers Markets:
Buckfastleigh on Thursdays a.m.
Totnes last Saturday of the month a.m. 
Ivybridge 3rd Saturday of the Month a.m.

Various activities take place in the village:

The Senior Citizens Luncheon Club - held the first Thursday of the month at the Village Hall.

A Grand Plant Sale - held on the 1st Saturday in May at the Village Hall.

The Village Badminton Club - meets at 8.00pm on Monday at the Village Hall during the winter and every other Monday in the summer – just turn up. 

Annual Garden Show & Sports - the 1st Saturday in August where young and old can celebrate their first fruits and other skills and where everyone can have a run in the races. Schedules available from the Post Office and pub.
New Committee members welcome – email Andrew Burdge
Clickto read Chairperson's report, watch a slide show and view details of trophy winners at the 2019 show
Clickto read Chairperson's report for the 2018 show and details of trophy winners
Clickto read Chairperson's report for the 2017 show and details of trophy winners
Clickto read Chairperson's report for the 2016 show, details of trophy winners and garden show judges and stewards.

Ladies Night - held in the Church House Inn Pub on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month.

Rattery Book Club - Meets monthly, and/or online. Contact Barbara Palk email Meets each month at respective homes, have a couple drinks, a chat and of course discuss the Book!
The monthly book is elected by any member giving a fair chance for all of us, it doesn't mean we have to read it in the time but we do our best! You are all welcomed to join. We read a variety of books but we are not at all stuffy, just like reading.

Pilates - Monday mornings

Pilates - Wednesday evening

Soup Group - A great way to meet other villagers - once a month, some-one in the village will volunteer to host a soup evening for other parishioners. Details are given on posters throughout the village, on Rattery group e-mail, or contact Terry Underhill telephone 01364 72314 or email

Twinning - Rattery is twinned with Brains-sur-les March in northern France and there are regular exchanges between our villages. Contact Janine Walker (secretary) for more information. Telephone 01364 649272 or email. Go to Twinning page

Line Dancing - Friday afternoon 4.00pm - to 5.00pm.
There is a nominal charge to cover costs. All welcome from children to pensioners.
For more information email Alison

Throughout 2017 Villages in Action worked in Rattery on an exciting, new heritage project called ‘Unearth’. 

Village in Action (ViA) is the rural touring scheme for Devon – that means that they organise performances and projects to take place in villages from East Devon to West Devon, and from Mid Devon to South Hams. You may have enjoyed a ViA show in the Rattery Village Hall ?

ViA were successful in obtaining a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to coordinate the Unearth heritage project taking place across two years in eight villages and Rattery is one of the eight!

The Unearth project helped villages to explore, share and celebrate their fascinating local history.

Each village will look at the history that is already known and will take part in further research supported by partner heritage organisations  - the South west Film and TV archive and the Devon Heritage Centre - to unearth local happenings, stories, customs and traditions, including a focus on any stories connected to each village hall.

When the research was completed, the Rattery stories were shared with musicians, actors and artists who worked together to create a multi-media performance piece which was performed in the Rattery on Sunday 10 September 2017.