LINDA and Colin Lever have finally left Sandford for a new life with their daughter in St Lucia, an island in the Caribbean. By the time you read this article Linda and Colin will be in St Lucia.

When looking for a Devon village in which to retire, Colin had a certain requirement. It had to have a lively Cricket Club - and Sandford fitted the bill.

Colin had been a professional cricketer and had played for an English Minor Counties team against South Africa.

Linda was looking for an active, lively village where there was plenty going on and again Sandford was just what she was looking for.

During a speech to thank Linda and Colin at Sandford Millennium Green.
During a speech to thank Linda and Colin at Sandford Millennium Green. (Sandford Millennium Green)

Colin found his home at Sandford Cricket Club, whilst Linda found plenty to occupy herself with.

She was instrumental in setting up the village composting scheme and helped to set up the recycling scheme in Crediton, later taken over and now run by Mid Devon District Council.

Linda was also a founding member of the group who wanted to build a path from Sandford to Crediton and the Millennium Green formed the first third of the path.

In 2005 Linda was involved in the campaign to save the Post Office in Sandford and we now have a thriving Community Shop and Post Office. We have a lot to thank Linda for and our lives are richer because of her efforts.

On Sunday, September 14, Linda was presented with a wonderful bench, created by Trisha and Bill Cox from Crediton (Facebook Page ‘Artisan Signs and Artwork’).

It was commissioned by the Millennium Green Committee.

The bench was crafted from planks of wood from an ash tree which was growing in Creedy Park but infected with Ash Dieback.

The message on the seat at Sandford Millennium Green.
The message on the seat at Sandford Millennium Green. (Sandford Millennium Green)

The words on the bench thank Linda for all she has done on the Green, and etched into the wood are images of the wildlife and flowers found on the Green.

It has been sited on the edge of the herb garden, a project close to Linda’s heart. We hope that many people will come and pause here for a moment or more and reflect on the impact that Linda has made on this special place. We all wish her the very best for the future.

Charlie Werner

Chair of Sandford Millennium Green