North Molton sits on the south-western edge of Exmoor National Park, about 3 miles from the market town of South Molton and the A361 link road. Set in glorious countryside, the village and outlying hamlets and farms are currently home to around thirteen hundred residents. It is a happy, thriving community with a primary school, two churches, two pubs, a garage, a hairdressers and a variety of home-based businesses. There are two well-supported village halls and a sports club boasting football and cricket pitches and an indoor sports hall and pavilion.
The spirit of the community is captured in the book North Molton a celebration of the people and history of North Molton published by the North Molton History Society. The village was originally founded on the very successful wool trade, followed by a brief spell as a mining village. As the local saying goes "When North Molton was a thriving town South Molton was still a fuzzy down".
A defibrillator (AED = Automated External Defibrillator) will talk you through how to use it - so do not worry about getting things wrong - the machine will be in control.
However, if you would like to be mentally prepared beforehand, please watch the St John's Ambulance video here, and the HeartSine video here (the defibrillator at The Politmore Arms is this model). The defibrillator should have a Resus pack containing a resuscitation mask, scissors for removing clothing, and a razor for shaving a patch on a hairy chest (the pads may not stick otherwise). Please note that these videos are examples of how to use a defibrillator and are not being promoted here as an effective way to learn CPR.
Please find attached the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Annual Governance & Accountability Return (Exempt Authority) that relates to the 2024/25 audit of the Parish Council. Audit documents can be found under Parish Council, Legal Documents - 2025 Audit - after the 12th of June.
North Molton Parish Footpath Officer, Steph Harris, has created an excellent poster for the public rights of way in the Parish, attached to this post.
If you find a problem on a footpath, if it is in the Exmoor National Park, report it here. Otherwise, report here. Please also drop the Clerk an email so that we can keep track of resolution of issues (clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk).
Please remember that you are responsible for your safety, control of dogs, appropriate behaviour around livestock, and using public and private land with care. You can find the Countryside Code here.
Happy trails!
Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) has announced the necessary closure of a popular Somerset footbridge for public safety and is working on a plan for a long-term replacement, and to reinstate public access on the permissive footpath that crosses Hinds Pitt Bridge near the Tarr Steps.
Access and Recreation Manager for ENPA Dan Barnett said:
“Unfortunately, the bridge above Hinds Pitt Pool that forms part of the popular Tarr Steps circular walk has had to be closed due to structural failure and for public safety. The bridge has been there since the 1950’s and some key parts of the steel structure have deteriorated to a point where they are no longer safe (see photos below). We hope to replace the bridge and secure public access once again here for the future, but it will take some time to develop a plan in agreement with the relevant landowners and to raise the considerable funds required.
It is possible that we can do some temporary modifications to allow the bridge to reopen while we plan for its replacement, and we are looking into that urgently. In the meantime, the Tarr Steps site is otherwise open for everyone to enjoy, including short walks there and back on either side of the river and all the longer walks in the area are fully open too. The popular long distance footpath the Two Moors Way is still passable using an alternative route on the west bank of the river.”
Please find attached the latest Griffiths Traffic Bulletin for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge) or click HERE to view online at the Griffiths Community Website under Traffic Updates. This bulletin contains important Traffic Information regarding night closures and traffic management programme. For additional project information or to view all newsletters and traffic updates online, please visit the Griffiths in the Community North Devon Link Road website HERE.Highways
Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) is a voluntary group of young people from across Exmoor, seeking viable and sustainable ‘life’ and ‘work’ opportunities for young residents. They tackle many issues for young people on the moor, including housing, digital inclusion, employment, communications, travel and local wages.
EVY have kindly provided two copies of the Justin Tyers book "How to self build your dream home for £99,000 - or less!" to North Molton Parish Council and you can arrange to borrow a copy for up to 2 months from the Parish Clerk - contact via nmpclerk@gmail.com. This is only a loan, and return is expected so that others can also benefit from the EYV donation.
Alternatively, you can go to the EYV page and find out how to get your own copy.
Please see the attached flyer.
Thursday 5th June, 2025 - 3:30 to 7:00pm in The Victory Hall, North Molton - representatives from Hastoe Housing Association will be present to provide detailed information.
Please find attached the latest Griffiths Traffic Bulletin for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge) or click HERE to view online at the Griffiths Community Website under Traffic Updates. This bulletin contains important Traffic Information regarding night closures and traffic management programme. For additional project information or to view all newsletters and traffic updates online, please visit the Griffiths in the Community North Devon Link Road website HERE [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]
THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) (ROAD FROM FIVE BARROWS CROSS TO KINSFORD GATE CROSS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ROAD FROM HUNSTONE CROSS TO NORTHLAND CROSS, BRAYFORD/NORTH MOLTON) NOTICE 2025
TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC
DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that:
From THURSDAY 22 MAY 2025 Until MONDAY 26 MAY 2025 (both dates inclusive) for a maximum of 5 days no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.
Roads affected - ROAD FROM FIVE BARROWS CROSS TO KINSFORD GATE CROSS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ROAD FROM HUNSTONE CROSS TO NORTHLAND CROSS, BRAYFORD/NORTH MOLTON
The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - NORTHLAND CROSS - A399 - BRAYFORD - FREINDSHIP FARM CROSS - B3358 - SIMONSBATH - B3223 - SIMONSBATH BRIDGE - KINSFORD GATE CROSS & VICE VERSA.
This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - SURFACE DRESSING
For additional information contact: KIELY BROS Telephone: 07425 158911
North Molton Village and PC AGMs are being held at 7:30pm Wednesday 7th May in The Victory Hall, North Molton. All welcome - come and find out what the various organisations and groups in the village are getting up to. The agenda is under the Parish Council dropdown.
On the 2nd of April 2025 Councillor Clare Barron and councillor Mandy Lyons held a drop in surgery at the village shop on behalf of the parish council. Several parishioners came and raised some issues which are being addressed below.
1 - Why aren't the lights at Bonners bridge being used? It still appears that they're using the lights on gantries and generators, and I just wondered why they're not using the actual lights.
The contractors are still working on the site, and the move to the installed lights will be done as part of their timetable.
2 - Why wasn't the wall it on East Street completely finished? When will it be?
The Parish Council is paying for the repairs, and as such the funds have to come from the local community as part of their precept/Council Tax. In order to spread the cost and not cause a larger Council Tax increase, the Parish Council decided to take a phased approach. The plan is to complete the remaining repairs this year, although it may be somewhat dependent on weather.
3 - When are the affordable houses at Holywell Meadow going to go on the market and be available and how is all that going to work?
The application process is ongoing and a link for further details can be found under the Parish News section of the village website www.northmoltonvillage.co.uk. There are also details on the Cavanna Homes website at https://www.cavannahomes.co.uk/developments/north-molton/
4 - Where's the new parish notice board? What's going to be on it?
The new noticeboard will be next to the path on the way into the Community Shop and Laurels Playground. It will be used exclusively for Parish Council reports/activities and local government items such as election details etc. There is a noticeboard within the shop for other use. The outward facing side of the noticeboard will eventually have a promotional sign for the shop.
5 - What is the parish council, who's on it and what they actually do? Could there be photos of all the counsellors and their roles on the new notice board?
The village website has a copy of the March 2024 summary of what the Parish Council does, what the other layers of local government are responsible for, who the Councillors are etc (under Parish News, called North Molton Parish Council - March update). This information sheet was posted through all resident doors in the parish last year, and if you would like a hard-copy because you don't have internet access, call the clerk on 07784 177666. There will be updates when appropriate.
The current noticeboard has a list of Councillors and the website has a photograph and more details (under Parish Council menu option). This will be updated soon as we now have a new Councillor, and once the new board is installed, the photos and mini-bios will be posted there.
6 - Can anything be done to promote litter picking on New Road and elsewhere?
The Parish Council will add this as a future agenda item for a proper discussion about options and other issues, such as insurance cover, risk assessments etc.
7 - There is a brown tourist sign pointing to North Molton as an Historic Mining Village, but there is nothing to show this in the village. Can something be done?
Again, the Parish Council will discuss this at a future meeting.
The Parish Council will hold another open surgery in July, date and time to be confirmed. Please come along – we do listen and respond – the Parish Council is here to represent our community.
| South Molton - North Molton Route 856 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri and some bank holidays) | |
| Stagecoach South West. Timetable valid from 5 Sep 2021 until further notice | |
| South Molton, Broad Street | Depart: 09:15 12:15 14:15 |
| North Molton, Bridge | Depart: 09:30 12:30 14:30 |
| North Molton, Square | Depart: 09:32 12:32 14:32 |
| South Molton, King Street | Arrive: 09:45 12:45 14:45 |
Sited in the play area of the Old School which closed in 1992, the Laurels Playground provides a safe enclosed area for children. The Parish Council began renovation in 2020, and so far equipment installed includes a ride-on tractor, 3-way see-saw, a slide with rope ladder, a new swing with an accessible basket, and an in-ground trampoline that can hold up to 5 children and is accessible to wheelchair users.
Coloured hopscotch graphics and a large mural designed by local children brighten up the area.
Work is ongoing to repair the rear wall and old iron railings, a lovely feature of the playground. Many kind donations from individuals have been made towards the renovation, and residents have given their time and energy in helping with the restoration. Support has also come from fundraising events, The National Lottery, Griffiths, the Freemasons, North Devon Atlantic Scramble Club, and the local government development levy grant (S106).
A few years ago, North Molton Parish Council purchased the redundant telephone box in the village square from BT for the princely sum of £1.00. After a few repairs, and thanks to Cllr Anne Johnson being able to locate replacement perspex panels, we were able to turn it into the phone box library in 2021. Our library is available to all, residents and visitors alike.
The premise is simple. Books for all ages are welcome, and anyone can take or donate books (we check for suitably and cleanliness on a regular basis). When we have a surplus, and to keep them refreshed, we either store excess books or donate them to one of the charity shops in South Molton.
If you would like further information or have questions, please contact Councillor Hugh Jennings.
North Devon Council wishes to remind anyone in charge of a dog that it is an offence to allow your dog to foul in a publicly accessible area without cleaning it up. This includes in car parks, recreation and sports grounds, parks, pavements as well as verges, footpaths and beaches. Failure to do so or leaving it to collect later (or even hanging it on a tree) can still result in a fixed penalty of £75 (or a maximum of £1000). Report dog fouling incidents using the NDC online form.
Lost or found dogs, see the North Devon dogs pages
