January 2020 Newsletter

LANTERNS PROCESSION
Our lanterns procession ushered in the Christmas period bringing colour and sparkle to a cold winter’s evening. It’s a wonderful community occasion uniting old and young and shows off the best of Ipplepen. Just to recap the prizes were awarded as follows.
The Child’s prize was won by Tallulah Zehal for her Elephant. In second place were Theo Saunders and Harry Cattell for their dinosaur and in third place was Lucas Brandon for his Reindeer.
The Adult section was won this year by the Hossack family for their Owl. Second were the Buick Baker family for their Doves and third prize was awarded to the Kerswell family for the Peacock.
There were six school entries and the trophy this year was awarded to Class 5 with their Hot Dog.
A new trophy was introduced this year called the Creativity award and the first recipient was Harriet Urquhart.
The trophy for the best overall prize went to the Hossack family. Congratulations to them and all who took part.
The Local History Group would like to thank all those who donated prizes – the Hub, the Women’s Institute, Jackie Edwards, the Wellington Inn and Fermoys. We would also express our thanks to Antony Cottle for driving the vehicle, all the marshals for their help on the evening, the St. John’s ambulance volunteers, the Churchwardens, the bell ringers and to the parish councillors for having the tree erected and lit for the evening.
Special credit should go to the judges – Jackie Edwards, Kingsteignton’s Town Crier, with her escort John Hart, Ken Purchase and to our rector Andrew Down for his wholehearted support for the event.
This year was extra special because the Carnival Club came on board to parade the carnival float. This was a welcome addition to the brightness of the evening and went some way to making up for the disappointment of last summer when adverse weather conditions prevented our carnival procession. Thanks, in particular go to Jack Wood for drumming up support and to Marcel Massey for helping to publicise the event.
Of course, the event could never happen without all the hard work of Judy Dewhirst with the lantern making and Shirley Northwood with the coordination and organisation. Finally, the pupils and staff of Ipplepen Primary School rose to the occasion and we thank Amanda Lacey for her continued support of our group.
Talks at the Village Hall
Our first talk for the New Year will take place on Monday February 24th at the Village Hall. The event will start at 7.30pm and we have invited Nicholas Pearkes, the former vicar of Broadhempston, to entertain us with a couple of talks with a local flavour. There will be more in next month’s magazine.
John Marsh