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.
North Molton Parish Council is holding a series of drop-ins so that you can meet some of the team and raise any issues of concern (or just have a cuppa and a chat).
The first of these is on Wednesday 2nd April, from 10-12 in the Community Shop. More details on the attached poster.
Future events will be held at different times to maximise opportunities to come.
Please see the attached for information on the County Council elections in May 2025.
An additional road closure has just come through:
Road from Winsor Meadows to Sports Club, North Molton - road closure from Monday 24th March to Friday 4th April inclusive. National Grid will be upgrading and reinforcing the electricity network.
Please be aware of the following highways issues (full details attached).
Griffiths Traffic Bulletin for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge). March 2025
This bulletin contains important Traffic Information regarding night closures and traffic management programme.
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THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) (ROAD FROM LANSCOMBE CROSS TO BICKINGCOTT CROSS, NORTH MOLTON) - TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC
DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that:
From WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2025 to THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 (both dates inclusive)
for a maximum of 5 days between the hours of 08:30 and 15:30
No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.
ROAD FROM LANSCOMBE CROSS TO BICKINGCOTT CROSS, NORTH MOLTON
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THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) (ROAD FROM YARDEWELLS CROSS TO LOWER FYLDON, BRAYFORD) - TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC
DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that:
From MONDAY 28 APRIL 2025 to TUESDAY 29 APRIL 2025 (both dates inclusive)
for a maximum of 5 days between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30
No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.
ROAD FROM YARDEWELLS CROSS TO LOWER FYLDON, BRAYFORD
Please be advised of two road closures in March.
THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) (EAST STREET, NORTH MOLTON) NOTICE 2025 - TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC.
From MONDAY 3 MARCH 2025 for a maximum of 5 days until FRIDAY 7 MARCH 2025 (both dates inclusive).
Roads affected - EAST STREET, NORTH MOLTON (FROM NEAR THE JUNCTION TO BROAD CLOSE TO NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO DURE LANE). Reason: PROVIDE NEW WATER CONNECTION - 6.5M TAR ROAD.
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THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) (ROAD FROM MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM, NORTH MOLTON) ORDER 2025 - TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC
From MONDAY 24 MARCH 2025 for a maximum of 18 months, anticipated finish FRIDAY 4 APRIL 2025.
Roads affected - ROAD FROM MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM, NORTH MOLTON (FROM OPPOSITE 2 OLD HOUSE BARNS TO ENTRANCE OF PAVILLION). Reason: TRENCHING ALONG HIGHWAY TO UNDERGROUND EXISTING OVERHEAD CABLES.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that due to the resignation of Hugh Jennings, a vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.
If by 6 March, 2025 (14 days excluding Dies Non, after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below by TEN electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.
Dated 14 February, 2025
Ken Miles, Returning Officer
Lynton House, Commercial Road, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1DG
If an election is called, it will take place not later than 13 May, 2025.
North Devon Council is inviting people to have their say on a new draft Housing Strategy, which sets out a high-level vision and objectives as to how the council plans to try and meet the housing needs and hopes of our communities.
The Housing Strategy will guide the Council's activities in delivering and discharging its housing functions and responsibilities, whilst ensuring that resources and efforts are best directed to tackle the housing challenges that the area faces. It was compiled following the publication of the Devon Housing Commission Report in July 2024, championed by Lord Best.
The draft Strategy has been prepared in full consultation with a working group of elected Members, who have been involved through a dedicated workshop and feedback sessions. It is built on a foundation of three themes:
The Council recognises the value of gaining different perspectives and insights and therefore inviting you to submit your views. The draft strategy is available for wider consultation for a period of seven weeks from Monday 10 February 2025 to Monday 31 March 2025.
You can view the draft strategy and find out more by visiting the Council's website at Let's Talk North Devon
The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and your views and feedback are valued.
The Council is using a new IT platform for consultation and engagement and you are invited to register to be kept up to date with opportunities to have your say and get involved with shaping the future of North Devon Register | Let's Talk North Devon
Thank you for your time when the survey closes the results will be summarised and presented to the Strategy and Resources Committee on 12 May 2025. You can find Committee agendas and reports on the North Devon Council Committee Meetings webpage. Browse Meetings, 2025 | North Devon Council
Kind regards
The Community Engagement Team (North Devon District Council)
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
Please find attached details of the affordable homes being developed at Hollywell Meadow, North Molton. The poster explains what will be available, and how to register your interest. As the application process is lengthy, and there will be competition, you are advised to register as soon as possible.
South West Water notice of road closure betwen Red Lion Cottage and 1 New Oaks (near North Molton Square) from 20th to 24th January 2025. Please see attached.
NOTE - this has been delayed with no future date yet provided.
| 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
