There is a strong sense of community within the village and the social scene is centred on the Memorial Hall. Much village effort is put into the annual Michaelmas Goose Fayre, held on Springfields on the south side of the village. Villagers and friends dress in medieval costume, with mummers and medieval music, as they follow the Mayor and his Lady, in a horse-drawn cart, as they process along the main road to the fayre ground.

Colyford has a chapel-of-ease, dedicated to St. Michael and All Angels, also a village Post Office, a Butchers, and two Pubs, the Wheelwright and the White Hart. Unfortunately we recently lost the service of our village Filling Station.

Another of the attractions of the village is the Tramway that runs along the discontinued railway branch line from Seaton to Colyton.
Very popular with tourists, the Tramway runs a regular service from Spring to Autumn.

More information can be found on the Tramway website.http://www.tram.co.uk

The MAYOR'S DINNER this year will be held on Saturday, March 8th, 7.0 for 7.30 in the Memorial Hall, followed by dancing to Lee's disco as usual. We have a choice of menu (bring your own wine) which is Chicken and Vegetable Soup/Prawn Cocktail/Farmhouse Pate: Roast Beef/Salmon Steak with Asparagus/Macaroni Cheese; Raspberry Pavlova/Fresh Fruit Salad/Chocolate Profiteroles/Cheese and Biscuits. Tickets (£17) to include, sherry reception, 3-course dinner with coffee, and dancing to Lee Bryant afterwards, are available from the Post Office and the Chapel House and please return your slip (below) as early as possible before February 22nd indicating your choice of each course. The usual draw will be held and prizes for this will be very gratefully received.
COLYFORD and DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month in the Memorial Hall. Demonstrations start at 2.15 pm prompt, with tea and home-made cake to follow. Membership Subscriptions are due in December and visitors are welcome to join us twice during a season.
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY: This year's Party was enjoyed by 25 preschool and primary village children. Father Christmas gave each child a present after a fun afternoon of games, and disco from Lee, followed by a tea. Thanks once again to the parents who help organise the event, the children really appreciate it.
COLYFORD WOMEN'S INSTITUTE meets at the Memorial Hall on the first Wednesday of each month at 2.30 pm (members usually arrive a little earlier). At most meetings we have a speaker, but there are also social events and outings. The WI provides friendship, entertainment, education and the opportunity to meet like-minded people. Many long-lasting friendships have started at WI! You can attend a meeting as a 'visitor' with no obligation to join us - you may be pleasantly surprised! In addition to the above there will be a Jumble Sale at the Memorial Hall on March 29th at 2.0pm.
HOLYFORD WOODLAND: Open Day (formerly 'Bluebell Day') will be held on Sunday May 4th from 2.0-5.0 pm. Transport to Horriford Farm will be available as usual from the Memorial Hall. The next Working Party will be on Saturday, February 9th, meet at Horriford Farm at 10.30 am.
NEWS FROM THE MEMORIAL HALL: Unfortunately the Charity Race night arranged last year had to be cancelled, but this has now been re-scheduled and will be held on Saturday, February 23rd in the Memorial Hall - Real Races, Real Films. Entrance is by Race card (£3) from Colyford Post Office or Colyton Pharmacy. There will be a licensed bar and light refreshments, doors open at 7.0 pm and the first race is at 7.30 pm.
The next phase of the refurbishment project, the new kitchen, is underway. The contractor started on the civil works in early January and installation of the kitchen is on target to be fully operational by the end of February, in time for the Mayor's Dinner. Funding for this work has been from the CMH development fund, together with a very helpful donation from Colyton Feoffees. A formal opening for the new kitchen is being planned in March when everyone will be invited to take a look.
The Committee are already planning the next part of the hall development later in the year, a kitchen servery and new toilets.
HORRIFORD PONDS: This year's Junior Fishing Challenge will be on Saturday, May 10th from·1O.Oam to 4.0pm. Meet at Horriford Ponds. OUR POST OFFICE: You will all know that the Government has decided Post Office Ltd must close 2,500 branches throughout the UK. Our latest information is that the "local public consultation" process is scheduled to start on May 20th. Details of proposed closures will be announced as part of this Local Area Plan and there will only be a 6-week period for local residents to respond. More details are available on www.postoffice.co.uk look for the link "Network change update". (Alan Davis 552472)
PARISH PLAN: The Steering Group is still working on the details for this and a final draft will be presented to the Parish, Council in March, published in April.

NEWS FROM ST. MICHAEL'S
The Friends of St Michael's invite mums, grandmothers and great-grannies (together with the menfolk) to a Mothers' Day lunch on Sunday March: 2nd in Colyford Memorial Hall, 12 noon for 12.30 pm. Tickets (£11.50), include a glass of sherry on arrival. two-course meal (inc. glass of wine) and coffee or tea. and are available from committee members. at church after services, or by telephoning: 551148 or 553247, by February 25th. As most of us know, the Memorial Hall kitchen is currently being refurbished, scheduled to be finished by early March. Sunday 2nd is very early March - we are coming up with contingency plans!

GOOSE FAYRE
As reported in the previous newsletter we urgently require a new Hon. Secretary and a new Chairman. Without these two officers the Committee will be struggling to organise the Goose Fayre this year. Please, is anyone out there with a few hours to spare, mainly during the months of April and October? We have an excellent Committee who will be very supportive. Please contact Eric (553372) for more information

CALLING ALL COLYFORD BRIDGE PLAYERS! An afternoon has been arranged at the Memorial Hall in order to raise funds towards the new ladies' toilets. This will be on Wednesday, April 9th from 1.45-5.0pm and we hope all Colyford Bridge players will support.