My name is Andrew Darley and I am a member of North Molton Parish Council. I have just recently taken over the job of snow Warden from Bill Geen.

The job of snow warden is not to clear snow, but make sure there is a supply of salt available for people to use on the public highway. To this end, I will be able to get a limited supplies of salt bags which I and other volunteers will put in certain key locations where it may be needed. CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS - if you would like to take on putting out bags at key sites in your neighbourhood (usually only once at the start of the cold season), please get in touch. Note, the salt/grit is for use on the public highways, and if parishioners want to grit their drives etc, then they need to buy their own supplies.

As well as managing the salt bags from County, I will be communicating with Highways to make sure that all of the salt bins are in good order and have a supply of salt in them. There are 15 bins in the parish and I’m also asking if any members of the public would like to adopt a bin near them or one that they pass regularly - to keep an eye on salt levels and let me know when they require more so that I can arrange for the Highways to get it topped up.  We have recently done a check and also extricated some bins from brambles and overgrowth.

Regarding the Council gritting lorries, much to the frustration of the Parish Council and many members of the public, the council have refused to divert the gritting lorries into the Square and down Back Lane, even though we’ve tried to get them to see reason for several years. So this year the Parish Council is employing a private contractor to grit the Square, Back Lane and up to the shop when conditions require.

If you are willing to adopt a bin and/or distribute salt bags, please contact me (contact details are on the Parish Council website). Without volunteers, coverage may be limited.

Thanks, Andrew

Written by Cllr Mandy English.

I am a counsellor on the Parish Council and I’m part of a small group looking at our communication . When I joined the council I had very little idea of what the Parish Council did and what our remit was and I don’t think I’m the only one in the parish! Myself and Counsellor Rachel Beaman are working together to improve communication and will be posting regular features to inform the Parish of our work. If there is anything you would like more information on about what the Parish Council does - and doesn’t - do please get in touch.

Our October submission is on defibrillators around the Parish, managed by different teams depending on location. See the list at the bottom of this post.

Defibrillators – who, what, where, when, how and why

Let’s start with the why? Simply put, to save someone’s life.

What is a defibrillator? It is a device that gives a high energy shock to the heart of someone who is having a heart attack.

Who can use it? Anyone can follow the simple instructions.

Who can it be used on? Anyone over about 1 year old. There are paediatric pads (for children under 8 years old), although most defibrillators are set up with adult pads installed as by far the most use is on adults. Switching between the two sets of pads is simple. (There is a global shortage of paediatric pads at the time of posting, and we are waiting for the one for The Poltimore to arrive)

When should it be used? A defibrillator should be used immediately on someone who is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and suspected of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (heart attack). Key signs include sudden collapse, unresponsiveness, abnormal or no breathing, no detectable pulse. It is not needed if someone faints or has a seizure (eg people with epilepsy). If a pacemaker is visible or can be felt under the skin (or someone tells you the person has one – ask people that they are with), pads should not be placed directly over the device, as this can affect device function or the effectiveness of the shock. Instead, they should be positioned slightly away from the device site. In an emergency, taking action quickly is far more important than worrying about whether a pacemaker is present.

How do you use it? The machines talk you through the process, and you attach two pads on the chest, press a button, stand back, and it does the rest – assessing heart beat and deciding whether or not to deliver a shock. There is a support pack that contains various items, including a razor to shave a hairy chest so that the pads can stick, and scissors to cut through clothing. Modesty has to fall by the wayside, as bras must be removed (usually cut off) for effective pad placement.

It would be extremely useful if every person in the parish watched one or more videos on how to use a defib – have a look at the front page of the village website (www.northmoltonvillage.co.uk).

Where are they?

• North Molton Village - The Poltimore Inn porch (sedative.segregate.enacts)

• North Molton Village - The Sports Club (aquatics.showering.pillow)

• Heasley Mill - The Old Phonebox (remedy.purse.tomorrow)

• Twitchen – Twitchen Village Hall (clearcut.loops.shams)

Also find out where the nearest one is to your place of work.

Notification of Road Closure – Work Ref: LM501NC12803602 on East Street, North Molton

South West Water has applied for a road closure to complete utility works from near Maycott to near Green Acres. These works, subject to approval from Devon Highways, will take place between 16/11/2026 and 20/11/2026.

All efforts will be made to maintain access to properties within the area of the closure and minimise disruption.

If you require further information, please contact the Helpline on 0344 346 2020.

After the resignation of Sir Richard Peek, residents are asked to contact District if they would like an election to go ahead for his replacement - please see attached for details.

We have a vacancy on North Molton Parish Council.  If you would like to put your name forwards to join us in working for a better parish, or want more information, please contact the Clerk Ian Fisher on 07784 177666 or (preferably) clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk.

Please note, you must fulfil eligibility requirements, which will be provided on request. Importantly, you must either be a registered elector in the Parish, or have lived/worked in the Parish for the last 12 months (or 3 miles maximum from the Parish boundary). You also need to be aware that the contact details (phone and email) and registered interests of Councillors are made public by law.

Closing date Weds 21st October. What happens thereafter will depend on the level of response.

Thanks, Ian

Here are a few highlights from our Parish Council meeting on 9 September 👇

25 years of service! We were delighted to congratulate Cllr Ron Procter on 25 years of service to North Molton Parish Council. A huge thank you, Ron, for all your hard work and contribution to our community over the years! 

Laurels Playground It’s great to see the playground being well used. We’re continuing to look at maintenance and improvements to keep it looking good and enjoyable for everyone.

Highways & footpaths Work continues on drainage, roadside weeds, hedge trimming and general highway maintenance. Highways are looking into vegetation on the Broad Close footway and problems on Back Lane. Resurfacing of New Road is scheduled for 2027, and we continue to pursue improvements to our local footpaths, including the Back Lane–Oakford Villas route.

Meet Your Councillors A big thank you to everyone who came along to our recent Meet Your Councillors event at the shop. It was really useful to hear directly from parishioners about the issues that matter to you. Issues raised will be discussed at our next Council meeting.

Please keep getting in touch, raising concerns and sharing your suggestions. Your feedback really does help us focus on the things that matter to our community.

North Molton Parish Council

ROAD FROM MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM, NORTH MOLTON

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC

NOTICE is hereby given that Devon County Council has made the above titled order. From Anticipated finish MONDAY 19 OCTOBER 2026 to SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2026. No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.

Roads affected - ROAD FROM MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM, NORTH MOLTON.

The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM, OAKFORD CROSS TO BORNERS BRIDGE, OAKFORD CROSS TO NORTH MOLTON CROSS, MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM & VICE VERSA.

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - CABLING WORKS For additional information contact: FREEFLOW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Telephone: 0800 085 9194

EAST STREET, NORTH MOLTON

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: From Until MONDAY 26 OCTOBER 2026 for a maximum of 5 days FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2026 (both dates inclusive). No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.

Roads affected - EAST STREET, NORTH MOLTON, (OUTSIDE GREENACRES).

The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - EAST STREET, HIGH BULLEN CROSS TO BRINSWORTHY CROSS, BRINSWORTHY CROSS TO HOLYWELL CROSS, HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER, TWITCHEN BALL CORNER TO SANDYWAY CROSS, SANDYWAY, WITHYPOOL CROSS TO NEW BRIDGE, NEW BRIDGE TO CHAPEL LANE, CHAPEL LANE TO SPARROW LANE, QUARRY HEAD LANE, B3223, UNION STREET, B3222, A369, B3227, A361, OAKFORD CROSS TO BORNERS BRIDGE, OAKFORD CROSS TO NORTH MOLTON CROSS, FORE STREET, EAST STREET & VICE VERSA

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - NEW WATER CONNECTION For additional information contact: KIER ON BEHALF OF SOUTH WEST WATER Telephone: 03443462020

THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) - ROAD FROM HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER, TWITCHEN

NOTICE 2026 TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: From MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2026 for a maximum of 5 days until WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 (both dates inclusive). No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.

Roads affected - ROAD FROM HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER, TWITCHEN

The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - ROAD FROM SANDWAY CROSS TO MUDGATE CROSS, ROAD FROM MUDGATE CROSS TO WHITE POST CROSS, ROAD FROM WHEATCLOSE CROSS TO WHITE POST CROSS, ROAD FROM WHITE POST CROSS TO RIDGEWAY CROSS, ROAD FROM RIDGEWAY CROSS TO MOOR LANE CROSS NORTH, MOOR LANE, GULLYHOLE HILL, LATCHGATE HILL, STONEMOOR LANE, CRAMP LANE, ROAD FROM ABBOTS CROSS TO BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS, ROAD FROM BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS TO BOMMERTOWN CROSS, ROAD FROM BOMMERTOWN CROSS TO WADHAM CROSS, B3227, A361, ROAD FROM OAKFORD CROSS TO BORNERS BRIDGE, ROAD FROM OAKFORD CROSS TO NORTH MOLTON CROSS, FORE STREET, EAST STREET, ROAD FROM HIGH BULLEN CROSS TO BRINSWORTHY CROSS AND VICE VERSA

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - PATCHING For additional information contact: MILESTONE INFRASTRUCTURE Telephone: 020 3307 8051

See attached traffic notice

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC & PARKING

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: from THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 for a maximum of 5 days until FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 (both dates inclusive), between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00.

No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed or wait on the sections of Affected Roads.

Roads affected - OAKFORD VILLAS, NORTH MOLTON (FROM OUTSIDE 46 TO OUTSIDE 54).

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - POLE REPLACEMENT.

For additional information contact: CIRCET UK Telephone: 0800 085 9194 

North Devon Council is inviting residents to share their views as part of a public consultation on the renewal of its Dogs Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which is due for review in 2027.

Introduced in 2021 and last renewed in 2024, the PSPO is designed to tackle anti-social behaviour linked to dog fouling and dogs out of control, while ensuring public spaces remain accessible and enjoyable for responsible dog owners.

The eight-week consultation closes 30th September, giving residents the opportunity to help shape how dog control measures are managed across the district.

The existing order includes a range of requirements, including:

• making it an offence for owners not to pick up after their dog; requiring dogs out of control to be placed on a lead when requested by an authorised officer; and mandating that dogs are kept on a lead in cemeteries, churchyards and graveyards, ornamental or formal public gardens, council-owned car parks and allotments.
• It also stipulates that no person may walk more than six dogs at any one time, with a maximum of three off-lead or on extended leads (over 2 metres). Dogs are prohibited from formal sports pitches and enclosed children’s play areas.
• Between 1 May and 30 September dogs are not permitted on Croyde or Combe Martin beaches. Dogs must also be kept on a lead in specified areas of Croyde Dunes at certain times of year and must not be walked in breach of any clearly signposted temporary restrictions.

Take part in the consultation via the NorthDevon.gov.uk/...LetsTalk