Parish Information

Rattery Parish - General Information

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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.

Health and Welfare

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

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.

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

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice South Hams seeks new Trustees
Citizens Advice South Hams plays a vital role in our local community providing free, independent and impartial advice to clients on issues such as debt, benefits, fuel poverty, housing and employment. Our trustees ensure that the charity is well managed and that resources are utilised effectively and appropriately.
Trustees devote time, commitment and experience to carry out this voluntary role, which normally requires attendance at formal meetings once a month and participation in informal meetings and subgroups.
We seek applicants with previous experience in the commercial, public or voluntary sectors and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are particularly keen to recruit those who may have used our services. Training and support will be provided.
If you have the enthusiasm to help us steer and develop this essential advice service, please write to Rob Austin, Citizens Advice South Hams, Follaton House, Plymouth Rd, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5NE or email trustees@southhamscab.org.uk or telephone 01803 861241 for an informal discussion.

Change of advice day for Citizens Advice in central Totnes

The Citizens Advice drop in advice sessions held in Caring Town Information Exchange (CTIE) at the Mansion on Fore Street. Will be moving from Fridays to every Wednesday from October 3rd.

Teena Barrett, Advice Services Manager at Citizens Advice South Hams says, ”The service will be the same as before, open on a drop- in basis for people to come along with their problems and talk to an adviser although the hours have changed slightly and will now be 9.30am – 12.30pm.

South Hams Citizens Advice Bureau - “Behind the Beauty”

We are privileged to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with easy access to the coast and to the open moors, so it is easy to forget that behind this beauty there are individuals and families for whom the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), is an essential source of independent information and advice when they are in need of help.

We thought you might like to know a bit more about the service, you may never need it yourself but you might know someone who does- or you might like to get involved!

The advice provided covers the whole range of problems and issues and includes queries on benefits, debt, housing, employment, relationships and legal cases. In fact, it would probably be very difficult to find a topic that has not been raised with the CAB. And even within these broad topic areas, it breaks down into even more specialist areas. For example, benefit issues include council tax, working and child tax credits, employment support allowances, housing benefit and community care grants. All of these can be a bewildering forest of forms, bureaucracy and specialist knowledge, so it is no wonder that many people turn to us to help them through the foliage.

Also, the CAB collects information on the social issues affecting our community and this information is analysed nationally to identify statistics and trends. This in turn enables Citizens Advice nationally to submit policy recommendations, reports and to influence government policy. We are currently collecting evidence to submit to a review of the Work Capability Assessment review. In addition , a social policy briefing was provided to Sarah Woolaston MP on transport problems in rural South Devon. We have also been involved in the campaign to highlight the loss to CAB clients should the cuts to legal aid funding be implemented. This would mean there would be no legal aid for welfare benefits cases, and aid on debt and housing issues will be severely restricted.

None of the work carried out by the CAB would be possible without the dedication and loyalty of our volunteers and paid staff who are fully trained to deal with a whole range of problems, and provide guidance to specialists when appropriate. We have every reason to thank them.
Did you know that The South Hams Citizens Advice Bureau is a local and independent charity, set up to provide impartial and non judgemental advice to anyone who needs it?

Of course, we are very grateful to receive some grant funding from South Hams District Council and Devon County Council, but we always need more funding- and additional monies have to be found. We are keen to take up any ideas for fundraising!

CONTACTS
If you need advice then you can call our Advice line on 08 444 111 444
If you need specialist legal advice you can call 01803 863129
Or Email
Or, visit our website at for further details of location and opening hours, and for more information on the charity and volunteering.

Citizens Advice Information Service - Focus On

Click on link to download PDF file

Attendance Allowance

South Hams District Council On-line

Find out information about where you live such as:
Council Band and charge
Local councillor and MP
Waste collection day
Nearby planning applications
Planning Restrictions
Check old and new planning applications
Go to www.southhams.gov.uk

South Hams District Council - Claiming Benefits On Line



Click on image to enlarge	Click on image to go to website

Crime Prevention and Police

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.

Devon and Cornwall Alert
Devon and Cornwall Alert is a free community messaging system to inform members of the public about crimes and incidents affecting their local area.
Recorded messages are sent by telephone, email or text message to individuals or groups/businesses.
It is a two-way messaging system which helps us to connect with our communities; it tells people what is happening in their area and allows them to respond directly with any information.
The system is designed to allow people who register to choose the type of information they would like to receive concerning crime and anti-social behaviour, witness appeals, crime prevention, community events and local good news.

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

REMEMBER: Police will NEVER ask for account details over the phone. They will NEVER ask you to withdraw money for “safeguarding”.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a police officer from the Metropolitan Police or any other force, saying that your bank or other debit card has been misused in the London area, HANG UP. This is a fraud.

Do not call back even though they are very convincing and ask you to call 999 to confirm: the fraudsters will stay on the line and that is who you will be talking to if you do. If you are still uncertain use a completely different phone to call your bank, or call a friend on their number to ensure the line is clear as the fraudsters won’t be able to impersonate someone you know.

Report the scam call to 101 or at 101@dc.police.uk or to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

If the scam call is continued with, fraudsters will then ask for bank details and ask victims to go to the bank and withdraw money, which they will send a courier to collect so that it is “safe”. If you know anyone who has done this, or if you have done this, call 101 immediately and also your bank.
Message Sent By
Linzi Berryman (Police, DC Alert Officer, Devon & Cornwall)

Tuesday Morning Market and Post Office

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, pasties, bread, vegetables, beef , lamb, pork and now fish and cheese), 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

Culver Lane (junction with A385)	10.00am Monday – Saturday
Edeswell Valley Holiday Park	10.15am Monday – Saturday
Hood	16.30 Monday – Friday / 07.15am Saturday
Rattery Village Green	17.00 Monday – Friday / 09.00am Saturday
Dartington Post Office	17.15 Monday – Friday / 10.45am Saturday
Buckfastleigh Post Office	17.15 Monday – Friday / 12.15pm Saturday
Babbage Road Sorting Office, Totnes	18.15 Monday – Friday / 12.00noon Saturday

Find your local Post Office

Mobile Library

DCC mobile library visits village hall carpark on Tuesday 10.00am - 11.15am once every 4 weeks;
Books and jigsaw puzzles are available to borrow from the Village Library in the village hall

Street Cleaning

South Hams District Council keeps the roads & lanes clean and litter free. Dog owners are asked in the interests of hygiene to clear up after their pets & put it in the bins provided outside the public footpath opposite the village green (church/pub) car park.

Recycling and Waste

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 at wwwsouthhamsgovuk 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.

Re-cycling and waste collections over Easter, May and Spring Bank Holidays

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

A bottle bank is situated in Rattery Village Hall Carpark. White Goods – Old Fridges, Freezers etc. can be collected by the District Council but a charge is made. Refuse collection is organised by South Hams – calendar B – with grey bins alternating with recycled sacks and brown bins.
For more information go to South Hams District Council recycling and waste website
The nearest recycling centre is at Babbage Road, Totnes Industrial Estate.

South Hams residents can recycle the coated food and drink cartons in their blue recycling sacks.

It's easy to do in just two easy steps;
First, rinse and squash the carton then pop them straight into the blue sack. Caps can be left on, because these are removed during the recycling process.
The cartons collected in the UK go to the carton recycling plant in Halifax. The process takes advantage of the strength and quality of the wood fibres found in cartons by turning them into industrial-strength cardboard. This is then made into 100% recycled tubes and cores which are used as centres for wrapping products such as cabling, plastic film and wrapping paper.

If you're not sure what authority you live in, you can find out by using this handy postcode locator tool https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council and then click here to find what your council collects https://www.recycledevon.org/at-home/recycle-at-home

For more information click here

(Keeping lids on plastic and glass bottles and jars is applicable to residents in Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge, South Hams, West Devon, Teignbridge and Torbay. East Devon residents can keep lids on plastic bottles and jars but must separate lids from glass jars)

Check for registered carriers to remove waste by clicking here

Sustainability

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.

Village Activities see also Parish Events page.

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 for the 2018 show
Clickto read Chairperson's report for the 2017 show and details of trophies awarded
Clickto read Chairperson's report for the 2016 show, details of trophies awarded 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