News: Autumn Greetings from Templeton: News: Autumn Greetings from Templeton

News: Autumn Greetings from Templeton

Date Added: 27/08/2026 @ 9:59am

Whether you consider it the end of Summer or the dawn of Autumn, September is a month of change. For many, it’s a new school year, a new season on the telly, or the launch of autumn fashion. Yet for those who work the land, this month of transition is also a reminder that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

While the rest of the world resets its calendar, our local farmers follow the same ancient rhythm of the seasons which sounds romantic but in reality, Autumn is a season of relentless, round-the-clock grafting trying to bring in the harvest. They truly are ‘outstanding in their field.’ When they do finally get home, most won’t watch five minutes of that new TV season without falling asleep on the sofa. As for the latest autumn fashion? The farmer’s ‘Autumn Collection’ will probably feature mud-caked overalls, checked shirt (If it isn't plaid, it’s a medical emergency) and wellies with a mud-splatter aesthetic … again. So, move over, Paris Fashion Week—Devon style is timeless! It is a ‘proper job’ too but with their relentless schedule, a spare five minutes to themselves is the one luxury most farmers won’t get at this time of year. 

St Margaret’s Church and churchyard

Our church and churchyard always need attention. The interior walls were painted by an expert team a few years ago, but the paint is now peeling and mould is appearing on the walls. The plan now is to strip the walls of all the paintwork and start again.

Thank you to everyone who brought their strimmers to the churchyard to clear the overgrowth. The brambles will be cleared through the summer. We are very grateful to Peter who has kept the churchyard so neat and tidy over the years. Peter’s work load has increased and sadly he won’t be able to continue maintain our churchyard after the summer.

Interested in grass-cutting?

Is there anyone in the area who would be interested in regularly cutting the grass in the churchyard? Contact Reg (01884 860246) or William (01884 253030) if you would be willing to take this on or would like to know more. 

The Sunday Services at St Margaret’s Church are usually held twice a month, with a mix of lay-led services and group services that rotate between all the nine parishes.  The Services in Templeton and the other parishes over September and October are shown on the centre pages of this magazine. We are very grateful to Marjorie who plays the organ for most of our services in Templeton.

Gloria’s 100 Club: Matthew has succeeded in reviving Gloria’s popular 100 Club to raise funds towards restoring the church windows and walls. It costs each person £12 year (£1 a month) to take part. Half the money entered each month will be split between two winners – the more people that take part the higher the winnings! The next monthly draw over the next two months will be on Monday, September 7th and Monday October 5th at the Village Hall on Club Night! Well done Matthew for making it happen! If you want to take part, contact Matthew at 07595 868165.

Templeton Summer Fete at Templeton Village Hall. 

By the time this magazine goes to print, this popular community event will have been and gone! The Summer Fete included cream teas, hot dogs, pay bar, bric-a-brac, nearly new clothes, books, produce, tombola and games … and so much more. We are so grateful for the donations and the volunteers that always make this village event great fun for everyone! 50p tokens were available for people to buy with their bank cards if they didn’t have enough cash handy. Thank you to all those who came and supported the event … and all those who prepared the ground, cut the grass, strimmed the banks, set up the marquee, baked cakes, contributed gifts, food, produce and many other items as well as helping with the stalls and games.

Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October - Harvest Festival weekend

This will begin with a three-course Harvest Supper at Templeton Village Hall on Saturday evening 3rd October – Tickets, £15.00 adults and £10 children, available from Lynda, William, Reg, Val, Ginah, Laurel and Bindy.

Harvest Festival will be at 10.45am on Sunday 4th October at St Margaret’s Church, Templeton, with donations displayed in the church for the Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT). We would be grateful if you could bring any fresh fruit, vegetables, packaged or canned produce to the porch of St Margaret’s Church during the week before the service so that it can all be displayed around the church on the Sunday. CHAT is an amazing charity that provides a huge amount of support for local people who are homeless or in financial difficulties.

Friday 23rd October: Halloween Party

Get ready for a spooky night of fun. Join us on Friday 23rd October from 6pm for our Halloween Party. Dress up in your scariest, funniest, or most creative costume and enjoy a fantastic evening with music, games, and plenty of Halloween fun.

• Fancy dress encouraged
• Everyone welcome

Don't miss out—come along for a frightfully good time

Saturday 31st October: Bonfire and firework display at Templeton Village Hall from 6.30pm. 

This very popular event will take place at Templeton Village Hall.  People really do come from far and wide to see it. The display is always spectacular. The bar will be open, with delicious hot dogs and hot drinks for sale, and a Guy Competition so make a note of the date now! (Tickets on the gate – cash only please).  The hall has a card reader for drinks and food, as well as accepting cash. No personal fireworks or sparklers please as this contravenes our insurance.

Sunday 8th November: Remembrance Sunday Service at St Margaret’s Church, Templeton honouring the efforts, achievements and sacrifices made in past wars. Alfie has agreed to play again for us this year The Last Post and The Reveille. It was so moving to hear him play last year.  

Friday 20th November and Saturday 21st November: Wine and Cheese evening and Art Sale and Exhibition will be held at Templeton Village Hall on the Friday evening of 20th November, and the Art Sale and Exhibition will continue all day on Saturday 21st November with refreshments available.  This will be a wonderful display and sale of paintings, drawings, cards, pottery, and other gifts by Templeton’s talented Art Group and also by local artists, and ceramic artists.

Sunday 6th December: Templeton Christmas Dinner 
Put the date in your diary now for this marvellous event. Sue and Shaun have kindly agreed to provide this wonderful meal again (with helpers) at 1pm at Templeton Village Hall. More information to follow. 

Sunday 13th December: Christmas Children’s Party - at 3pm at Templeton Village Hall with a visit by the man in the red suit. You know the festive season has arrived with this wonderful annual family event organised by Tony Loosemore, with a disco, party food and fun. 

Regular groups

Garden Club 

Our garden club goes from strength to strength with numbers increasing monthly. The successive heatwaves and subsequent hose pipe ban have proved a challenge for maintaining our gardens. There will be garden groups coming up soon. If anyone would like any information about the club please email Ginah.

Templeton Art Group

The Art Group meets at Templeton Village Hall fortnightly on Tuesdays from 10am until 12 midday. These dates will be September 8th and 22nd and October 6th and 20th. Everyone is invited. No charge.  Just bring yourselves with whatever art work you are doing or want to have a go at, with Lynda there to help if needed. Coffee and cake provided.  If you want to know more, contact Lynda at newnes7@mail.com.  Already mentioned in this magazine is an exhibition and sale of the Art Group, local artists and ceramicists’ work on Friday November 20th in the evening (with wine and cheese) and Saturday November 21st all day.

Book Group

The Templeton Book Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 3pm at Templeton Village Hall with coffee, tea and cake. The next book groups will be on September 9th and October 14th. It’s a great time to share and talk about a wide variety of books.  If you’d like to join the book group or would like to know more about it just get in touch with Julie.

Templeton Village Hall and Social Club.

If anyone would like to use the hall at any time, for table tennis, darts, skittles, game of football outside, or just a get-together, please just contact Bindy (01884 860655) who will open up the hall for you, providing there is not already a booking on that day. The Social Club is open every Monday and Saturday evening from 8pm to 11pm – with a wide range of drinks available at very reasonable prices. Club Membership is only £2 a year.

Welcome

Welcome to Vicki and Chris and family who have recently moved into Higher South Coombe Farm.  We hope that you will be very happy in Templeton. 

Farewell.

We were sad to say goodbye to Selena and Alex who lived at Higher South Coombe for many years. We wish them both well in their next home which we hope will not be too far away from Templeton.

Thoughts and prayers

Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with all those who are unwell, who are receiving or awaiting treatment, who have been in hospital, recovering from surgery, or going through a tough time.