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Thursday, November 20, 2008, 23:00
This much was clear when the Echo visited the picturesque Exe Valley village, eight miles north of Exeter, last year.
Since then Thorverton Church of England Primary School, which has just 80 pupils, has opened a new building and welcomed a new head teacher.
Tania Beard, 44, joined the school at Easter. She said: "I have been made to feel very welcome by the village as a whole; the parents, governors, staff and children have all been very friendly. There is a real sense of community here."
Tania worked at Pinhoe Primary School before moving to Thorverton.
She said: "I remember driving into Thorverton for my first school visit on a lovely, sunny autumn morning and being struck by its beauty.
"I just fell in love with the traditional school building set in the countryside."
Tania thinks that it is important for the school to keep a high profile within the village and to participate in local events.
She writes a column in Thorverton's monthly magazine, Focus.
She said: "The school is very involved with the church and charity fundraising activities.
"We recently raised £500 at an auction of promises. Someone donated £150 for my babysitting services.
"We also made an effort for Children in Need last week, with the kids dressing up in Pudsey Bear scarves and the cook making Pudsey Bear biscuits."
Every year on Armistice Day the schoolchildren, villagers and members of the Royal British Legion gather around the village war memorial and hold a two-minute silence.
Among the members of the Legion is Graham Palmer, 81, who has lived in Thorverton for 21 years.
He said: "Thorverton is a truly wonderful village in which to live.
"I moved here to retire — it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
"I have two daughters and they have both moved here with their families, and so has my sister. I think it is because everyone is so friendly."
Retired nurse Emmy Aird, 87, was born in Thorverton. She lived in Glasgow for 40 years before returning to the Devon village to retire.
She said: "The thing that has changed the most is the lack of people in the village during weekdays. People used to have jobs in Thorverton and now they all drive to the bigger towns and cities for work, which can make it feel a little empty sometimes."
The village has a lot of activities to offer its residents, many of which Emmy takes part in.
She said: "The Women's Institute does a lot around here and there is a drama club, a bridge club and sports clubs for the younger residents."
Emmy's brother, Will Ford, 81, also moved back to Thorverton to retire.
He said: "As an engineer my job took me all over the country, but I wanted to come back to the place where I was born.
"Emmy and I were educated at Thorverton School, so it is good to see that it is still going strong. It is nice to be close to family and friends.
"I enjoy Thorverton's current community life too, and am a bell ringer at the church."
The parish church of St Thomas a Becket adds to community life by hosting annual events, such as the Devon Arts Festival and a flower festival.
Opposite the church is one of Thorverton's three pubs, The Bell Inn.
Landlady Margaret Duffy, 55, has lived in Thorverton for five years and runs the pub with her sister.
She said: "It is a lovely village, and even though it is quite quiet, there is always something going on socially. There are a lot of parties here, in fact we have just organised a New Year's Eve party.
"All three Thorverton pubs have good working relationships with one another. We all have our own darts teams and play against each other in friendly competitions.
"I plan on staying in Thorverton for many years to come."
Allison Toogood with her dad Graham Palmer EE111108_MM03_05
