An above and beyond award tonight for Andy B and Dom who went out to grit but found that the gritting wheel wasn’t spinning today. They improvised by spreading by hand which meant one of them sitting on the gritter…..Mike is going up tomorrow to have a look, hopefully it’s a part for which we have a spare. If it’s not then I’m afraid that our gritting is going to be severely affected. Today they’ve managed most of the route but not all so again, please take great care. Anne Mayes
Gritting Update – Fri 9 Nov
The volunteers aren’t going out tonight – no, they’re not on strike, but Highways have gritted the Secondary Routes and did the hill earlier. Anne Mayes
Gritting Update – Thurs 8 Nov
The volunteers are in for a busy time at the moment with this prolonged cold spell with ice and a dusting of snow forecast. Our thanks go to Nige and our new volunteer Andy H who kindly went out tonight and gritted the hill for us.
If you’re new to the village, do please treat the hill with respect, we only go out once per night and showers or a run off can diminish the effect of the grit which has been spread the length of the hill. Stay safe – and warm! Anne Mayes
Gritting Update – Wed 7 Dec
Our thanks to Dave and Joe who kindly went out tonight and gritted the hill for us. Anne Mayes
BRIDFORD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 10TH OCTOBER 2022
CLOSURE OF TEIGN VALLEY ROAD
The Teign Valley Road B3193 will be closed 24 hours a day from next Monday except for emergency vehicles and the school bus before 8.00am.
Some deep patching work and concrete haunching is taking place to stabilise the road. The road is due to be closed until 16th November unless progress is quicker than anticipated.
EARTH PHOTO EXHIBITION AT HALDON FOREST PARK
The Earth Photo exhibition has launched in Devon for the first time, hosted at Haldon Forest Park now until 4 January 2023. Nestling among towering trees, the exhibition of stunning and poignant photography is the climax of an international competition run by Forestry England and the Royal Geographical Society, showcasing a selection of stunning images shortlisted for the 2022 prize. Haldon Forest Park is one of only six locations hosting the free exhibition, which is located a short distance from the car park on a wheelchair and pushchair accessible trail.
SCHEDULE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH COMMEMORATION SERVICES IN THE VALLEY
DUNSFORD ENERGY SAFARI
Moths to see in August
The hawk-moths are a group of large, colourful, charismatic moths that are well known for having caterpillars with prominent ‘horns’ that are used to deter predators.
Eighteen species of hawk-moth have been recorded in the UK, only nine of these, however, are resident in this country, the others only occur as migrants from overseas. Within the parish I have recorded the presence of nine species, six resident and three migrant. The three migrant species consisted of a Convolvulus Hawk-moth from 2020, a Striped Hawk-moth from earlier this year and several Hummingbird Hawk-moths. Both the Convolvulus and Striped Hawk-moths arrived during periods of prolonged southerly wind which will have assisted them in traveling to this country from continental Europe and the latter of the two species was taken during a large national influx where several hundred were recorded across the country including many from elsewhere in Devon. The Hummingbird Hawk-moth is by far the commonest of the three and in some coastal localities is likely to be breeding. They can often be seen by day, feeding on the nectar of Red Valerian or Buddleia. As previously mentioned, within the parish I have recorded six of the nine resident species of hawk-moth: Lime Hawk-moth, Eyed Hawk-moth, Poplar Hawk-moth, Privet Hawk-moth, Elephant Hawk-moth, and Small Elephant Hawk-moth. The three species that I have not noted in Bridford are all either uncommon in Devon or very specialised to a specific habitat.
Hawk-moth species are night flying only so are unlikely to be encountered by day. However, as mentioned above, the Hummingbird Hawk-moth is day flying and is most frequently seen around flowers that contain plenty of nectar. So if you have a Buddleia in your garden, keep an eye-out on a hot, sunny day for this fascinating moth. Thanks to Sam Gray for this report and picture.
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