This lovely teddy bear, who goes by the name of Monty is yours to win for just £1!  He is a little over 3 foot tall and as soft as he looks.

We are raffling him to help the Devon and Dorset Regimental Focal Group to raise funds to send home comforts to soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Rifles who will be serving in Afghanistan this Christmas.  Following requests from the MoD not to send parcels to un-named personnel the members of the ex D & D's wanted to show their support for members of the new local regiment, and we wanted to give them a hand.

Using their contacts within the current regiment they are able to get parcels to named serving members for distribution.  They have been holding a raffle for many small prizes in local pubs and Monty is our contribution to the effort.   Last year we donated items to the Mid Devon Branch of the Royal Marines Assocation - like lipsalve, wetwipes, shower gel, toothpaste, disposable razors, drink sachets and sweets.  All these items were important to make conditions a little better and let the troops know that they are not forgotten, especially during the festive season.

 If you would like to buy a ticket to win Monty bear, they are just £1 and are available from Military House, or the Westpoint Christmas Fayre in Exeter this weekend (28/29/30th November).  You can also send a cheque payable to D. Raymond for the number of tickets you would like - but be quick - the draw takes place on 6th December 2008.  (Sorry but we cannot take draw ticket monies by credit card or Paypal due to the transaction fees.)

Good luck!

Last Christmas I was given a bird feeder that sticks onto a window, and liking all things ornithological, I put it up on a window in a sheltered spot and waited for the birds to start flocking.  Well, much to my disappointment they never did!

However since we've been at Military House I have noticed plenty of bird activity. We have the usual suspects...Sparrows, Blackbirds, Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins, most of which I can see in my garden at home.  But I have also regularly seen Gold Crests, Gold Finches, Coal Tits and , this morning, a Wren.  I've also seen a Green and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and tried to take a photo to put onto the blog, but sadly my camera wasn't up to it. 

Needless to say I have put my feeder on the rear window at Military House and the birds are now queueing up, there was even a Nuthatch eyeing it up this morning.  My only worry now is that I will spend too much time looking out of the window!

We would like to thank everyone who attended our Big Brew Up in aid of SSAFA Forces Help yesterday.  It was great to meet so many local people at Military House.  You can read a full report and see some pictures in the Events section of this blog.

 See you again soon we hope!

Deb at Military House - and no the safe doesn't work!

Some of you may remember we held a Big Brew Up event in aid of SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) in the Town Hall in Cullompton a couple of years ago.  Well this year we are holding the event at our new premises at Military House to give you a good excuse to visit us whilst helping this worthwhile charity.

Our Big Brew Up event will be held on Saturday the 11th October 2008 between 10am and 4pm. We will be selling raffle tickets and you could win a wonderful Christmas hamper, well stocked with preserves, sweets, chocolates, wines and of course Christmas cake and pud! Tickets cost just £1 and all monies will go to SSAFA Forces Help so please feel free to pop in and buy a ticket. The draw will take place at 4pm on the 11th.

Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be available in return for a donation to SSAFA Forces Help. 

If you are unavailable on the day, please call in anytime leading up to the 11th if you would like to make a donation or buy a raffle ticket.  Your contribution will make a difference to those servicemen  and women, past and present and their families who are now in need of help.

Given the bad weather at the moment we don't know whether to be pleased or disappointed that the window fitters have not yet arrived.  Apparently they are coming today.  The job is also going to take a lot longer than expected - four days - but hopefully won't cause too much disruption to business.  We like a challenge!

Military House will be brought up to date on 8th Sept with the arrival of new windows and doors.  Inevitably this will cause some disruption to business on the day but it should ensure an even warmer welcome come the winter!

Things are finally moving a pace with the re-location of the business.  Our new business premises are just off the Honiton Road (almost opposite the Mole Valley Farmers turning), still in Cullompton, at Military House.  The building used to be the offices of the Devon Growers nursery which any locals of a certain age will remember!    Although I do not plan to run it as a shop exactly it will enable me to welcome visitors more easily.   

I am planning to have an official opening  in the next month or so, so as many people as possible will know where we are and what sort of services we can offer.

It would be nice to see you there!