To provide additional communication and interaction with residents, this page contains the Parish Council notes from the parish clerk published in the “Eagle” village magazine each month. (The December issue also covers January of the following year.) This page will contain the latest notes together with those for the previous two issues of the “Eagle”.

OCTOBER 2026

Firstly, apologies. Last month I promised to introduce our two new parish councillors. Due to a procedural error and advice from Democratic Services at Torridge District Council, the co-option at last month’s meeting had to be declared invalid. Hopefully, we are now able to co-opt at our September Meeting. The good news is that there are enough candidates to fill the vacant positions. This leaves the council with a full complement of seven councillors and in good shape for the future.

 

At this point, we have to express our gratitude to Cllr. Cooke who has recently resigned. He has served on the council for many, many years and could always be counted on if there were any “hands on” jobs to be done. His farming background and knowledge of the agricultural industry were often invaluable to the council. During the summer months when Clogshill Junction became dangerous, he could be relied on to cut hedges back and he also strimmed our footpaths.

We would like to extend a big “Thank You” for his years of service.

 

All parishioners are likely to be aware of the proposed Data Campus near Great Torrington, the village website has a dedicated section for this issue. As a parish council, we are in close contact with TDC and Devon County Council. For our next meeting we have invited a representative from the Devon Data Centre & BESS Action Group. Any feedback and information given will be published in next month’s Eagle. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) is also strongly opposed to the project and we keep a close eye on all their posts and campaign news.

 

Lastly, a couple of things that were mentioned by parishioners and are also on the September agenda. It has been reported, that groups of cyclists have been seen using designated footpaths. Could we please ask to refrain from doing so, it will damage the paths in the long run and we are living just a few miles away from the Tarka Trail, offering many miles of cycling opportunity.

 

The other issue that keeps cropping up time and time again; please slow down when driving through the village. This is true at any time of year, especially during this time of year when evenings are drawing in and weather conditions can be adverse.

 

SEPTEMBER 2026

As mentioned in last month’s article, due to the resignation of Cllr Farr, a vacancy had arisen. An election is not necessary according to Torridge District Council (TDC), so Yarnscombe PC can co-opt. We were lucky enough to receive applications from two candidates.

 

At our next meeting, we will decide whom to co-opt and in next month’s article we will introduce the new councillor to you. It is good to see, that parishioners are willing to give up their time and share their knowledge and experience, in order to enrich life in their communities.

 

Talking about volunteers, last month I asked for someone to take on the task of looking after the “Book Box”, the old telephone kiosk. Within  2 days, I had 3 different people wanting to take on that  role. All of them are taking it in turns, to tidy up and sort/add new books. Big thank you to you all!

 

The other big issue that everyone is talking about is the proposed Data Centre and BESS (Battery Storage System) near Torrington. The official applications for building of data centre and battery storage site have not yet been received. Public consultations have been postponed for now, but information can be found on Yarnscombe Village Facebook page and the website.

 

Our Devon County Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin is an outspoken opponent of the data centre and we are hoping that she will be at our next meeting in person, so she can update us and councillors can ask specific questions.

 

We will be able to also give you further information regarding the Local Government Reorganisation next month and how it will impact North Devon/Torridge.

 

AUGUST 2026

At the beginning of the year, we were all complaining about the relentless rain and now we are all baking in the third heatwave of the summer. For this very reason, the village fete was held in the hall and the popular dog show had to be cancelled. We hope, it was still a success and next year we can make full use of the playing field again.

 

All councillors would like to say a big thank you to Dan Farr, who has decided to step down from his role as councillor. Dan has been on the council for many years as a valued member. He has, generously, agreed to stay on as snow warden for another year. Right now, the idea of snow and ice may seem alien, but I’m sure in a few months we will be glad to be able to count on Dan in keeping our roads clear and passable.

 

Dan’s resignation means that we have a vacancy for another councillor.  By the time you read this article, the vacancy will have already been advertised on the website and on the notice board. If by 24th July more than 10 electors come forward, an election will be held.  Otherwise, the council can co-opt another councillor.

 

If you are interested in becoming a parish councillor, you have to be at least 18 years old, a British or Commonwealth citizen, citizen of Republic of Ireland or be a qualifying EU citizen.  Also, you must fulfil  at least one of these four criteria:

• You are registered to vote in the parish

• You have owned or tenanted land or premises in the parish for the past 12 months.

• Your main or only place of work for the past 12 months has been in the parish

• You have lived in the parish – or within 3 miles of it- for the last 12 months

 

If you are interested or have any questions, please make contact via the website or contact the clerk or any of the councillors (contact details on the website and in The Eagle).

 

On 10th July, Sharron Newberry, Carol Wyatt and myself held an open evening in the village hall to see if there was any interest for a Youth Club and to just have an informal chat with parents and children. This was well advertised on the website, with posters and flyers. Especially Sharron went to a lot of trouble, she bought snacks and drinks, we got some games and toys out. Unfortunately, the response was absolutely zero. Sharron also displayed flyers on her information stall at the Village Fete, but again no interest at all.

 

We have come to the regretful conclusion that, despite Yarnscombe having a reasonable amount of children living here, a Youth Club is definitely not wanted and has come to a natural end.