Dog Head Spigot
Would have been used in a barrel. Examples of this style have been seen as early as 1250 but have also been been as late as 1800. This is likely around 18th century. Has a makers mark of a small bird, perched on a branch. Made of brass. The handle would have been in the shape of a cockrel but it's missing his head.

Trade Token
A brass halfpenny token from 1797 which was issued by Sparkes & Gidley of Crewkerne who were producers of linen products. Pictured on the token is a person sat at a loom.
 

Charles I trade weight
A tea weight from the reign of Charles 1st 1625 -1649. Possibly used to weigh tea. There are mint marks visible: A small crown with the letter 'C' underneath, to designate the reign. A dagger which signifies the city of London authority and a ewer mark is the founders company which authorised brass trade weights produced by private makers.

The Munts' Strawberry Union Jack Cake

Fire Street Party and Flags

The Holness family at Shorthayne and VE Day picnic

Flag by the Lychgate

Decorated pebble by Angela

Flag at Springfield Cottage

Socially-distanced revelry in Drakes Meadow

A message from the Parish Council to Parish dog owners:

Regrettably the Parish Council has been made aware of several incidents of dog fouling around the village.  These have been reported behind the Village Hall and tennis court area and the latest, on the grass next to the lay-by.  The grass here was recently cut by the Council and the cuttings collect by Phil, our Parish Handyman who had to deal with whichever dog and owner left it. 

This is totally unacceptable as it can be double bagged and placed in your refuse bin. 

These notices (left) will now be placed in the village when they arrive.

On 18th August, Saffron Doble (left) was presented with the John Salter award shield for 2020, which has been suitably engraved.   She donated the money to the Yarcombe and Marsh Children’s Fund - a worthy cause and a very appropriate recipient as the winner this year was from the youth of the parish!   It would have been good to make the presentation at a public meeting, but this was not really appropriate in current circumstances.

We have been advised by the Devon Association of Local Councils (DALC) that Parish Council meetings are currently authorised to be held remotely until May 2021 and by then we will hopefully be announcing the 2021 winner of the award!

Clive Stone, Parish Council Chairman

A very sincere THANK YOU to everyone who supported the 2020 Wassail at Moorhayne. Considering the recent weather, we were very fortunate that the event was held in dry though windy conditions. The local apple crop was very good last year and hopefully with another blessing it will be good again this season.

This year, Tony Wiggins, our Master of Ceremonies, was joined by fifteen of his fellow Taunton Deane Morris Men and after the assembled gathering were treated to an account of wassailing through the ages, the colourful procession, suitably attired in traditional tattered jackets and feathered headgear, proceeded to the apple trees of Higher Moorhayne. Here, Wassail songs were sung, one tree was blessed, had cider poured around its roots and cider-soaked toast placed in the branches as an offering. The bad spirits were warded off with much clattering and banging, as well as a shotgun volley. The Morris Men then danced, before leading the ensemble to Middle Moorhayne to repeat the ceremony, where all the trees had all been given their annual Wassail prune that very day.

After the traditional Wassailing of the trees we moved back into the stable and on to the other part of Wassailing, the Was Hal, the refreshments, where we toasted each other’s good health for the coming season. A splendid array of soups and buffet food, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, were enjoyed, together with many varieties of cakes and other delights, all washed down with very local organic, nil-food-miles cider, hot cider punches and soft drinks. During the previous week Vicky and Paula had been preparing and cooking a selection of foods, restocking as the numbers were confirmed.

Here I would really like to say a huge THANKYOU to all those who offered to cook and\or provided food to be brought along on the evening. Thank you also to Complete Meats who supplied much of the meat. This all resulted in a mouth-watering feast which helped make this a special occasion.

Following on from previous Wassailing, all the apple trees at Moorhayne produced a good crop which was then converted to apple juice and subsequently to cider and cider vinegar. Enthusiastic sampling was also part of the enjoyment of the evening, whether as one of the natural or blended ciders or one of Vicky’s very popular fortified hot mulled ciders. We had many compliments about the food and drink and try though people did, we ran out of neither.

Our thanks go to the Morris Men for their colourful appearance, their dancing talents, and for providing a near continuous musical atmosphere with their playing and singing, both during the feast and afterwards throughout the evening.

Our thanks also go to Steve Johns and Mark Stokes who temporarily extended the stable to provide more covered room for everyone’s comfort and to Derek and Iris Dyer who kindly provided the additional car parking, in an adjacent field, which had conveniently just recently been vacated by the Derryman’s sheep.

Keeping alive an age-old rural tradition, meeting up with friends, making new friends, enjoying good food and drink and raising money for local organisations are all part of the Moorhayne Wassail. There were fewer people this year enjoying the event and we hope that all those unable to join us due to winter illness are now fully recovered.

We are particularly grateful to those of you who were only with us in spirit, but sent generous donations and those who hired the Apple Day equipment, all of which greatly swelled the funds that we raised this year. Three deserving local organnisations: Voices, Yarcombe & Marsh Children’s Fund and the Yarcombe Flower Show have each received £70 to help them with their much-appreciated community work.

We have one roasting tin which we would be happy to return to its owner!

Having run this event for several years, and before going ahead with preparations for next year’s Wassail, the Wassail Team would like to have your feedback on any part of the festivities. In particular we would welcome comments, or any suggestions for a future Wassail, and whether you would support the continuation of this tradition in Yarcombe. Would the possibility of starting earlier at, say, dusk be welcome?

Clive Stone and the Wassail team

Yarcombe wartime evacuee Frank Weeks, a welcome contributor to this site, has made the headlines in New Zealand.

It seems Frank is one of those individuals who are skillful enough to defy logic by putting large objects into bottles!

Until recently I lived at Lees Cottage in Yarcombe.   My cats went into emergency placement with Stanley in West Hill but sadly one of them escaped a week ago, and I’m thinking that she may eventually turn up in Yarcombe...

Bronwen is a neutered three year old tortoiseshell and white long haired cat, medium sized and quite shy but does come to Puss puss puss!!   She is micro chipped thankfully.

Would it be possible for you to spread the word through the Yarcombe Voices and the Yarcombe website?   I’m happy to make a financial contribution if required.

My contact number is 07584-666684

Many thanks,

Suyen