News:

The autumn is upon us but our gardens are still full of interest and colour; producing seed for the birds and slugs for the hedgehogs. For many, the urge can be to go out and battle against the wind and rain in an attempt to try and tidy it all up, but sometimes, it is good to just sit back and enjoy the wild beauty of the changing seasons if you can.

St Margaret’s Church and Churchyard

St Margaret’s Church and churchyard are subject to ongoing upkeep and repairs. We are custodians of this spiritual focal point of our village, which is also a wonderful, historic building, and so work has been planned in stages to spread the cost. Soon, the wall around the altar will be plastered and repainted, and the stonework around the main window behind the altar will be exposed and sanded.  Some of this work will be done professionally, but we also rely on support from volunteers. We are hoping to organise a churchyard working party, to help with an Autumn clean-up; trimming hedges and trees, clearing leaves and removing weeds. If you would like to get involved then please do get in touch with William 01884 251515 or Reg 01884 860246.

Summer Fete

On Saturday 14th August, Templeton held its Annual Summer Fete and Grand Auction.  The variable weather only added to the fun of the day. Everyone enjoyed the cream teas, hot dogs, cakes, lots of games, bric-a-brac, clothes, produce, book sales and grand auction. There was also the popular auction of pledges which invited bids for lots of treats and services. Thank you to everyone for taking part and making it such a successful day. A grand total of £2,043 was raised, which will help support village funds.  Take a look at the photos of the day, including the amazing tractors made from junk modelling, on Templeton Village Hall’s Facebook Page. We are grateful to auctioneer Terry Hamlin, who for many years has joined us for the Grand Auction and has given his time so generously.

Duck Race

On Sunday September 10th, a glorious hot, hot day, we went ‘quackers’ at the duck race at Templeton Bridge. The race started at Great Esworthy Farm and ended at Dartcoombe Mill. It was a very exciting race as 250 ducks set off and scrambled down river, with a support team to assist any duck that got lost. It was lovely to sit outside and enjoy cream teas and pasties in the garden, peruse the books, plants, bric-a-brac stalls, take part in the raffle, and, most importantly, there was time to chat with friends and neighbours. A big thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to the duck race and made it a really enjoyable day. Over £500 was raised to support village funds. First prize, £30, went Lisa, second prize, £20, to Richard and Val, third prize £10, to Darcey, and last duck home, £5, went to Jem. There are some great photos of the day on the Templeton Village Hall Facebook Page. The ducks are now resting until next year.

Harvest Supper

A big thank you to everyone who came to Templeton's Harvest Supper on Saturday 30th September. There was a wonderful spread of hot and cold foods and scrumptious desserts. Thank you to all those who contributed the delicious food, and those who worked in the kitchen and on the bar. We really appreciate all the effort that everyone puts into events like these. The wonderful display of Templeton Art Group’s paintings really shows such amazing talent within our village. Trying to identify some strange items displayed during the evening was great fun – as were the answers. Photos of the event are on Templeton Village Hall’s Facebook Page. The evening raised £470.00 which will help support the much-needed funds for the maintenance of, and repairs to, St Margaret’s Church in Templeton.

Harvest Festival Service

Templeton’s Harvest Festival Service was held at St Margaret’s Church on Sunday 1st October. The church was filled with beautiful flower arrangements and generous food donations. Some lovely photos of the church and the decorated windows are on the Templeton Village Hall Facebook Page. All the donations of fresh, tinned and packaged produce were donated to CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team), a charity in Tiverton. They have asked us to pas on their gratitude, particularly at this time of great need, as so many families struggle through the winter. Thank you everyone for your generosity.

Future Church Services

The centre pages in this magazine cover the many services that will be held over the next two months across the nine parishes in the Exe Valley.

Many of the Templeton Church services will be lay-led, but the cluster and group services are usually led by Steph or Claire at different churches in the Exe Valley Mission Community on a rotating basis. The services in Templeton during November and December are as follows: 

Sunday November 10th is Remembrance Sunday. There will be a lay-led Service of Remembrance at 10.50am, when we shall pay our respects to all those who have served, sacrificed and lost loved ones in wars worldwide.

Sunday November 24th at 10.45am will be a Group Service with the Exe Valley Choir at Templeton Village Hall – please note that the service will not be at St Margaret’s Church but at Templeton Village Hall. Rehearsals for the Choir will be on Thursday 21st November at the Village Hall, and setting up technology at the Village Hall will be carried out on the Friday and Saturday before the service.
December 10th will be a Morning Service at 10.45am.

On Christmas Eve, Sunday December 24th there will be a candlelit Christmas Carol Service with Claire at 6pm. Do come and join the carol service where we shall be singing all our favourite carols.

Future events

Firework and bonfire night – Saturday 4th November from 6.30pm

By the time this issue of the Today Magazine reaches you Templeton’s Bonfire Night will be almost upon us! The firework display is always spectacular and the event is great fun. There will be a Guy Competition so bring your guy along with you! The bar will be open from 6.30pm and the bonfire will be alight from 7.30pm with the fireworks soon to follow. Hot Dogs and hot drinks will be on sale. Entry is £6 for adults and £3 for children aged 5 to 15 (Tickets from Tony on the gate).

Templeton’s Got Talent? – Friday 17th and Saturday 18th November at 7pm

Up until about 10 years ago Templeton Village Hall used to regularly host very entertaining shows with an abundance of local talent. Sue Coffin has now revived this wonderful Templeton tradition. This is an event not to be missed. Make sure to book the date now to watch the amazing local talent and to be very entertained. The Bar will be open. Entry £5.00 for adults and £2.00 for children (14 and under).  

Christmas Children’s Party - Sunday 10th December at 3pm at Templeton Village Hall

With a visit by you know who in the red suit! This is a wonderful annual family event organised by Tony Loosemore, with a disco, party food and fun. If your children would like to join the party, please let Tony know beforehand so that he can cater for enough food for everyone (07510128683). Please bring a wrapped and named gift for your own child for FC to distribute.

The Annual Christmas Bar Games (table tennis, pool, darts, and skittles)

This will be held at Templeton Village Hall every Saturday evening in December from Saturday 2nd December until the grand finals on Saturday 16th December.  Do come and take part in this fun event. There’s still plenty of time to practice on club nights or other nights in the week!

Make use of Templeton Village Hall

With the nights closing in fast, perhaps you, your family and friends would like to use the village hall for a game of table tennis, skittles, darts or pool on other days in the week apart from club nights – maybe to practice for the Christmas Bar games? Just phone 01884 860655 or email templetonvh@gmail.com to make sure the hall is available on the date you need, and someone can open up the hall for you.

Thoughts, prayers and best wishes

Congratulations to Pete and Nina who became Mr and Mrs Withers in September. We wish you every happiness in your lives together.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are unwell, awaiting treatment, in hospital, or recovering from surgery. We do hope that you will soon be feeling better. We also send our prayers and warmest wishes to their families who support them.

<< More Templeton...