North Devon Coast and Country Chronicle

Family Activities at the Yarner Trust, North Devon, 2012

2012-01-19T06:02:00.000-08:00

Bring the family and do activities together in Yarner’s grade II listed medieval buildings. Choose from historical activities, creative crafts or forest skills. (Forest skills will be inside in wet weather). Drinks and biscuits at 11.30am. Minimum age 6, Adults £5, children £3. Concessions for families on low incomes.
Spring Half Term

Feb 14th Tue Forest Skills: Woodland Creatures by the Fire 10am – 1pm Louise Graham
Make a fire and find treasures to create your woodland creature.
After a hot chocolate break, finish your creation in the barn.
Feb 16th Thu Tudor Bread Making 10am – 1pm Rosie Beat Dress up as a Tudor and learn how they made bread in Tudor times.
Feb 17th Fri Past Rhymes – singing, dancing, costumes and 10am – 1pm Teri West play from bygone eras.

Easter Holidays

April 2nd Mon Tudor Spinning & Weaving 10am – 1pm Rosie Beat Dress up as a Tudor and learn spinning and weaving.
April 3rd Tue Making Willow Hearts 10am – 1pm Maggi Rogers. Cut your own willow from Yarner’s willow beds and make hearts after a hot chocolate break.
April 5th Thu Creative Felting 10am – 1pm Sally Fulcher Learn how to make felt from wool fibres by creating a place mat or picture to take home.
April 10th Tue Tudor Bread Making 10am – 1pm Rosie Beat Dress up as a Tudor and learn how they made bread in Tudor times
April 11th Wed Forest Skills: Den Building By The Fire 10am – 1pm Louise Graham. Gather sticks and poles to make a den, keep warm by the fire and enjoy hot chocolate together.
April 12th Thu Paper Making 10am – 1pm Sue Giblett. Experiment with colour and texture to create your own hand made paper.
April 13th Fri Past Rhymes – singing, dancing, costumes 10am – 1pm Teri West and play from bygone eras.

ABOUT WELCOMBE AND THE YARNER TRUST

Welcombe Barton is a grade II medieval building built in 1350 and was the manor house of the village. The name Barton comes from bere meaning barley and ton meaning store.The Yarner Trust is located here and has promoted sustainable and creative living for over 30 years. Although most of the guests are adults visiting to participate in our rural skills courses or volunteer programme, Yarner would now like to invite more people to enjoy the experience of the ‘jewel in north Devon’s crown’. The above activities are subsidised by Yarner to encourage family visits and to inspire working together in families. The Yarner Trust is located in the small village of Welcombe, just a mile from the sea, and on north Devon’s Heritage Coast path. It is also within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the beach at Welcombe Mouth, owned by the National Trust, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It’s well worth a visit to Welcombe if you’re staying in Devon or Cornwall, and you can visit Welcombe Pottery and the thatched Smithy Inn after your family activities. If the weather’s lovely and the tide is out, you’ll find a spectacular sandy beach at Welcombe Mouth that very few visitors know about, it’s our ’hidden gem!’.
Yarner Trust, Welcombe Barton, Welcombe, Bideford, Devon, EX39 6HF info@yarnertrust.org Tel: 01288-331692 Visit Web Site www.yarnertrust.org

James Morrison nominated for Best British Male/Video /new single "Slave to the Music"

2012-01-18T09:13:00.000-08:00

James Morrison has been nominated for Best British Male at the 2012 BRIT awards, an accolade he has been nominated for twice before, and won in 2007. James said: “I’m really happy to be nominated for The Brits again this year, it’s going to be a great night. It’s always good to get that level of recognition for your work, and there are some great artists in there too. ‘The Awakening’ is such an intensely personal album to me, I’m just pleased people are sharing that and enjoying it so much, and the fans are giving me such incredible feedback and support.” His new single ‘Slave To The Music’ is released on February 20. The up tempo track is the third to be taken from his platinum selling album ‘The Awakening’. The song originally came to James in a dream, where he envisaged Michael Jackson singing the main hook. The Awakening was number one for two weeks when it was released last year. It also contains the singles ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ and the stunning duet with Jessie J ‘Up’ – which have sold over 300k copies.
Watch James Morrison ‘Slave To The Music’ video

James will tour the UK later this month. All dates are now SOLD OUT:
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012
Saturday 28 Jan Belfast Ulster Hall
Sunday 29 Jan Dublin Olympia
Tuesday 31 Jan Manchester O2 Apollo
Wednesday 1 Feb Manchester O2 Apollo
Friday 3 Cambridge Corn Exchange
Saturday 4 Southampton Guildhall
Monday 6 Leicester De Montford Hall
Tuesday 7 Birmingham O2 Academy
Thursday 9 London Hammersmith Apollo
Friday 10 London Hammersmith Apollo
Sunday 12 Southend Cliff Pavilion
Monday 13 Bristol Colston Hall
Wednesday 15 Glasgow O2 Academy
Friday 17 Leeds O2 Academy
Saturday 18 Nottingham Royal Centre
Sunday 19 Newcastle O2 Academy
www.jamesmorrisonmusic.com
Acclaim for ‘The Awakening’
“A TERRIFIC THIRD ALBUM, BURSTING WITH EXPERTLY CRAFTED SONGS” – The Times
“HIS SULTRY VOICE MAKES GROWN WOMEN WEAK AT THE KNEES” – Heat
“A DELICIOUSLY SOULFUL COLLECTION OF SONGS” - Daily Express
“POSITIVELY JOYFUL” – Mojo

Pipex px® doubles its support for conservation

2012-01-16T07:19:00.000-08:00

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has this month received double support from one of its top Corporate Supporters for conservation work around the County. Pipex px®, based in Roborough, Plymouth has pledged £6,000 to support two vital projects in the County. DWT's Warleigh Point nature reserve, near Tamerton Foliot will now be sponsored by Pipex px®. Also benefiting is DWT's landscape scale project, Working Wetlands via the alternative carbon offset scheme run by Devon Wildlife Trust. A cheque presentation was held at Warleigh Point, the nearest nature reserve to the company's headquarters and where a recent team from Pipex px® carried out a Corporate Volunteering Day which involved coppicing of areas of the woodland at the popular site. Devon Wildlife Trust's Corporate Relations Officer, Tracy Ebbrell said: "We are delighted to be receiving such a large amount in sponsorship from Pipex px® in such a difficult economic climate. The relationship with Pipex px® has gone from strength to strength over the past few years. It really demonstrates how the business community is still committed to the environment and keeping Devon a beautiful and healthy place to do business." Sarah Raynor from Pipex px® said: "Devon Wildlife Trust do fantastic work for our environment here in the South West, so we are really pleased to be in a position to contribute to their conservation efforts. Pipex px® get a lot of benefits from our association with DWT, the volunteering days are a great opportunity for us to get involved, enjoy the great outdoors and do some team building with colleagues, so we are thrilled to be able to continue our support."

For more information about either the projects or becoming a DWT Corporate Supporter visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org.

Claire Burgwin from Pipex presents cheque to Tracy Ebbrell from DWT

Beginners Welcombe for Willow, Wattle and Weaving. Yarner Trust Courses

2012-01-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Yarner Trust have an exciting programme of events for the coming year. We have listed the Willow Course Programme below. New for 2012 are special Family Days where parents and children are encouraged to work together to make wall decorations to take home. These are subsidised by Yarner to encourage more visitors to their medieval grade II listed buildings and to inspire family members to work together. (Minimum age 6). Bursaries of 25-50% are also available for those on low incomes, with minimal paperwork!

Willow Course Programme 2012

Sat & Sun 24th & 25th March - Frame Baskets & Willow Platters. The ancient craft of frame basketry lends itself to simple, organic shapes and the use of wild and hedgerow material. Make a small, round egg or berry basket using colourful willow. Suitable for beginners.

Tues 3rd April Morning - Willow Hearts Family Day Cut your own willow from Yarner’s beds and learn how to weave your own hearts, which look stunning as wall decorations.

Sat 14th April - Wattle & Weaving for Gardeners. An opportunity to make a support for climbing plants, a wattle hurdle, a pot cover or even a compostable compost bin, using simple willow weaving techniques.

Sat & Sun 12th & 13th May Baskets from the Beach. After a morning beachcombing at Welcombe Beach, learn techniques such as pairing, waling and randing to create your individual basket. Suitable for both beginners and improvers.

Sat 21st July - Rush Bags. This workshop is suitable for all abilities and covers the basic skills of rush weaving. Use this beautiful, soft material and decorate with natural finds to create a fashionable bag to take home.

29 & 30th September - Vegetable Baskets
Fri 16th November - Christmas Willow Trees & Garlands
Sun 18th November = Christmas Willow Angels & Hearts

The Yarner Trust is a charity running adult courses in sustainable living, family activities, environmental arts camps, and school visits. For prices, full details and to make a booking, visit www.yarnertrust.org or call 01288-331692

BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH 2012.

2012-01-05T10:07:00.000-08:00

The RSPB’s biggest event of the year, the Big Garden Birdwatch will take place on January 28th and 29th. Last year over 609,000 people took part counting over 10 million birds which really helped to monitor how the birds visiting our gardens fared over the winter. If you register by the 26th January you will receive a free information pack and 10% off bird food. You can pre-register at Big Garden Birdwatch website: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. This fun event encourages people of all ages to get involved and really enjoy the wildlife in their garden. If you join the RSPB by the 31st March, they are offering new adult members a choice of free gifts such as the popular RSPB classic apex nest box, or you can choose the RSPB Handbook of British Birds or bird feeder with seed.

Charity's conservation kit cuts Culm

2012-01-03T03:39:00.000-08:00

In December 2011, Devon Wildlife Trust introduced its Pasquali low ground pressure tractor to landowners in North Devon, as the charity's machinery ring moves into gear. The tractor was purchased last year as part of DWT's Working Wetlands Project to help with conservation work on environmentally sensitive sites in the north of the county. The tractor is already being put to good use: this month alone will see it working in the Knowstone, Witheridge and Templeton areas. The specialist piece of kit is designed to handle rough wet ground, and is set up with a flail mower to tackle rush and scrub that commonly invades areas of the Culm grassland that the charity is working to protect. Marie Butterfield DWT's Working Wetlands Advisor said: " This new work follows on from County Wildlife Site surveys earlier in the year where we identified areas of high wildlife value which require improvements in management to make sure they are in the best condition for the rare species. Our plan is to bring in the Pasquali tractor to these sites enabling us to clear scrub and gorse which have invaded their wildlife-rich grassland. The tractor will clear the way to allow long term management using ponies or cattle." The equipment adds an extra element to the already burgeoning range of kit that the charity already lends to local farmers and land managers. This machinery ring includes cattle handling units, a soil aerator, topper and trailer. All are useful tools in efforts to better enable local landowners to manage their rare grasslands as easily and cheaply as possible. For more information about the Pasquali tractor and how to make use of the resource, call the Working Wetlands team on 01409 221823 or email sberry@devonwildlifetrust.org

Working Wetlands has been supported by the South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, GrantScape and Natural England.

Pasquali on Culm grassland Photo copyright DWT

Lighting Up Time. Bideford New Year's Eve Celebrations

2011-12-29T06:42:00.000-08:00

Bideford will once again help revellers welcome in the New Year in spectacular style. New Year's Eve Celebrations will start from 6pm on Bideford Quay with entertainment including a light show set to music, traditional fairground rides, street dancing displays, and a children's fancy dress parade with prizes for the best fancy dress. The evening will be hosted by presenters from North Devon independent radio station The Voice. This year, from 9pm, the station will be beaming the celebrations live to online listeners around the world. The temporary road closure comes into force at 6pm and the action on the former Radio 1 Roadshow stage will get underway soon after. - To listen to live online coverage of the Bideford celebrations, visit www.thevoicefm.co.uk/listen. See "Region gets Ready to Party" www.northdevongazette.co.uk

Bideford Highlights 2011 - Photo copyright BD Adams

A TOP 10 NEW YEAR CRACKER

North Devon Coast and Country Chronicle. "More than 10,000 revellers gather in fancy dress to join in one of the West Country's largest parties…As midnight approaches everyone gathers on Bideford's Long Bridge to wait for the parish bells to ring in the New Year" - As featured in the Daily Mail, Saturday December 17 2005 - TOP 10 NEW YEAR CRACKERS.

The BIG Sheep Winter Opening, Ice Skating & Toboganning

2011-12-19T03:55:00.000-08:00

Winter Weekends & Winter School Holidays. During the winter The BIG Sheep is open at weekends & school holidays 10am until 5pm.

During January there are no animals onsite. Lambing will start in February.
(some attractions are weather dependable and this can affect their opening hours.) During the winter months the attractions open are: Ewetopia Indoor playground and cafe, Train Ride, Jumping Pillows, Battlefield Live, Ice Skating and Toboggan Slope.

Prices: £6 each for adults and children over 3ft tall.
£2.50 each for children under 3ft tall.
Tickets purchased online at www.thebigsheep.co.uk are discounted by £1 per ticket.
**

The Big Sheep are open every day during the winter school holidays.
February Half Term 2012 – Saturday 11th February 2012 until Sunday 19th February 2012.

Please call 01237 472366 for more information.

Prices: £6 each for adults and children over 3ft tall.

£2.50 each for children under 3ft tall.
Tickets purchased online at www.thebigsheep.co.uk are discounted by £1 per ticket.
NB: The first weekend of the winter season is 5th and 6th November 2011 - The last weekend of the winter season is 24th and 25th March 2012.

Making Headlines. Military Wives Choir - Wherever You Are BBC

2011-12-06T07:58:00.000-08:00

The Military Wives and Gareth Malone, are bidding for that coveted Christmas Number One spot with their new single Wherever You Are which will be released on December 19th 2011. Chris Evans has been promoting it on his radio 2 breakfast show. The RMB Chivenor Military Wives Choir starred with Gareth Malone in the recent BBC Two series of The choir: Military Wives, If you missed their stunning Festival of Remembrance performance at the Royal Albert Hall watch the video now. Lets make it a Special Christmas and get it to No1 click here to Pre-order the single

"The choir’s charity song, Wherever You Are was written for the choir and Gareth by composer Paul Mealor, who wrote music for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Its lyrics were taken from letters written by choir members to their husbands and partners whilst they were serving in Afghanistan. Profits from the single will be going to the Royal British Legion plus military charity SSAFA." Visit the North Devon Gazette to read all about it

Adopt a species scheme proves popular at Christmas

2011-12-06T03:35:00.000-08:00

Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) range of gifts have been proving very popular in the run up to Christmas again this year with its adopt a species scheme going from strength to strength. The adopt a species scheme, launched in 2009 through the DWT website,www.devonwildlifetrust.org allows people to support the Trust's conservation work in Devon, protecting habitats and species for future generations to enjoy. This year people can choose to 'adopt' from a list of five wonderful species: dormouse, otter, dolphin, bat and now hedgehog, which has been included as part of the charity's high profile 'Help the Hog' campaign. With each £20 donation, purchasers will receive a soft toy of their chosen species along with a welcome letter, fact sheet, certificate, a postcard of the species, a fun activity book, a pack of six colouring pencils and a six month update letter. Phoebe Grubb, from DWT said: 'This is a great way for people to support our work - adopt a species makes the perfect gift for children and nature loving adults at this time of the year! The Help the Hog campaign has really taken off, and it is showing, as the most popular adopt a species has been the hedgehog so far this season. This year the scheme has already raised £1,500 for local wildlife, so thank you for those who have already adopted.' The money raised through the scheme goes towards the costs of carrying out conservation work throughout the county benefiting these species and the habitats that they need to thrive. To adopt a species today visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org, or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244. Get your order to us by Wednesday 14 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas.

Charity calendar marks 50th anniversary

2011-12-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

Devon Wildlife Trust has this month launched its 2012 wildlife calendar. The beautifully produced calendar has been created to mark the charity's 50th anniversary. The calendar is being sold for £5 and is available by phone, online or by post. Each calendar sold will raise funds for the charity's vital conservation work around Devon. The calendar is illustrated with a stunning collection of Devon's most popular species including otter, brown hare, bluebell, kingfisher, dormouse and red deer, it also has a nuthatch on its front cover. Each month also contains a photo of one of the charity's nature reserve along with details of what to see there on a visit. Phoebe Grubb, DWT's Fundraising Officer enthused: 'This is our first ever calendar so we are hoping lots of people will choose to have it on their wall for next year which is our 50th. It's such a major milestone, we wanted to give something back to our supporters and mark this special occasion. Hopefully people that buy it will think about us through the year and continue to value the work we do to protect Devon's wonderful wildlife." Carrie Park who compiled the calendar said: "We have such a great resource of photographs available mainly thanks to the kind support from keen local wildlife photographers. Without their help we wouldn't have been able to produce such a beautiful product." People who wish to purchase a calendar should visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244. Photo: Copyright Dormouse 5 (Hugh Clark)

Oh my Silver Darlings. In Praise of the Humble Herring

2011-11-23T02:55:00.000-08:00

Fair weather drew the crowds down along Clovelly on Sunday to a celebration in praise of the humble herring. By chance we shared the trip down in the landrover with the present owner of Clovelly, the Hon. John Rous and a lady wrestling with some unwieldy cake-laden trays. The scrumptious looking buns and scones were destined for sale at the Lifeboat House. Down at the harbour a huge colony of gulls were squawking above the water and some Jolly Jack Tars were singing shanties acappella. Below the old Lime Kiln smoke was rising from the Kipperman's little hut. The Kipperland exhibition tells the story of the herring and how a small fish has played such an important part in the history of Great Britain. On the beach Flaxland were demonstrating flax processing and net making. There were also three examples of flax woven craft. The curragh, a traditional craft from the west coast of Ireland used for fishing, kelp gathering and island hopping, a coricle and a canoe both made using flax fabrics. Languishing across the harbour with its red sails standing out against the grey quay stone wall was "Little Lily", Clovelly's very own Picarroner. It's hard to believe that at one time this harbour was filled with up to ninety fishing boats which landed nearly a million herrings. Harbour Master, Stephen Perham is one of the last herring fishermen in Clovelly, he still uses "Little Lily" to fish for Herring. Clovelly Herring Festival is a real food fest and the stalls along the quay did well to keep up with demand. You could buy fresh herring and mullet, local bread, beer and cider, mulled wine, preserves liquorice, confectionery and rock. In between the produce stalls, there was a colourful array of local hand-made crafts including stained glass, mosaics, jewellery, patchwork and haberdashery, knitted gifts and knitting yarns. A choice of delicious fishy treats were served up in the Quay kitchens, herring specialities, spicy mullet chowder, tale of three herrings, fish cakes and stir fry. We really enjoyed our Kipper Baguette. The Pancake stall was very popular especially with the kids. There was also a "Ships in a Bottle" display and a photographic exhibition. Flying the flag for the natural world on land, sea and in the air were the North Devon AONB, the National Trust and the RSPB. Kids were kept amused by a variety of event-themed craft activities. Time for a beer and a sit down and a chance to take in the view, listen to more sea shanties this time with guitar, banjo and fiddle from local group "Fifers Ruse" and Bideford folk band "Shake a Leg". The sun, low at this time of year, came out briefly highlighting the woodland which clings to the 400 feet cliffs above Clovelly Harbour. It is really a dream location for photographers and film makers. Dressed in old sea-fairing garb, the Exmouth Shanty Singers made a wonderful tableau and they and that plucky little Penguin were probably the most photographed subjects on the day. Heave Away, Haul Away, Up Along - time for that Bacon Bap. Article and photos by Pat Adams

Clovelly was once a major centre for herring fishing. This popular festival is held in support of sustainable fishing by traditional methods and to celebrate the herring, the Silver Darlings of the sea. Click here to visit Clovelly Village Website - Whats On at Clovelly

We recommend the Bacon Bap at the Clovelly Visitor Centre
Click here for North Devon Coast and Country Chronicle post on the Clovelly, Crab and Lobster Festival

Explore Clovelly with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

A major setback for our seas. Add your voice today to the marine campaign

2011-11-22T02:19:00.000-08:00

Our seas are suffering serious damage and need protection now, according to the Devon Wildlife Trust, in response to the recent ministerial statement which announced a delay on the protection of marine wildlife. Stakeholders across the country had been expecting the government to give the go ahead to designate 127 Marine Conservation Zones across the nation's seas, where some of our most important marine wildlife would be protected. This was to be a landmark moment in protecting our marine environment. Harry Barton, Chief Executive of the Devon Wildlife Trust says, "The statement sends a worrying signal that the Government is dragging its heels on designating the network of sites recommended by stakeholder groups." The proposed network of Marine Conservation Zones includes areas of sea off the coast of Devon, such as Torbay and much of the north coast. In a surprise announcement, the Government has said that it needs more evidence before it takes action. Yesterday's statement by the Natural Environment and Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon gave no firm guarantee that any part of the recommended network will be designated, and confirmed that no sites would be designated before 2013, a year later than planned. Harry Barton says, "There is indisputable evidence that the wildlife in our seas is declining, and that we need urgent action now to conserve it. Wildlife in our seas receives far less protection than on land, and until very recently there has been only one marine nature reserve in English waters - around Lundy, in Devon. This is a once in a generation opportunity to put this right. More than a million people representing fishermen, conservationists and businesses have worked closely together for two years to identify the network of sites, taking the many different interests into account. What more information does the government want before it takes action?" Devon Wildlife Trust agrees with the government's scientific advisers that all 127 sites need to be designated if the network is to work. Harry Barton concluded, "This announcement is a huge disappointment and will put yet more pressure on marine wildlife. This is a time for decisive action, not discussion and delay. The government has said it wants to be the greenest ever. It needs to stand firm in its commitment and deliver the network of protected sites that local stakeholders and scientists have recommended to it." Add your voice today to the marine campaign by signing a Petition Fish scale at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Thongweed, snakelocks anemone,ballan wrasse (Paul Naylor)

Visual arts project puts Devon conservation in the frame

2011-11-22T01:57:00.000-08:00

Shot of the landscape - Landscape photographer Mike McFarlane cycled into Devon this summer as part of a unique conservation-inspired visual arts project, commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts. Mike is covering thousands of miles, mainly by bike and public transport, during a 12 month tour of the UK, after setting off from his home in County Durham on Tuesday 12 April. This project will see the creation of stunning 360° interactive colour images of landscape-scale conservation schemes throughout the UK. Devon Wildlife Trust believes the images will inspire local residents about the natural world whilst illustrating the variety, scope and importance of its vision for A Living Landscape. By visiting Devon Wildlife Trust's Exeter Wild City and Working Wetlands landscape-scale conservation schemes Mike McFarlane has captured stunning colour panoramic images, one from a view point on the roof of Exeter Cathedral and the other at Bursdon Moor in north Devon. On completion of the UK tour Mike McFarlane will produce a complete set of 360° photographs for the schemes. Devon Wildlife Trust hopes to use the visual materials in its visitor centres, at events and on its website. Peter Burgess, Conservation Advocacy Manager at Devon Wildlife Trust, said: "The photos really show off these two amazing urban and rural landscapes in such scope and detail. Conservation is not just about protecting isolated reserves but now more often about influencing whole landscapes for the better. Landscape scale conservation is not always an easy concept to get across but these images really do show off the projects well. We hope to upload the virtual tours to our website in the near future so they will inspire people to take an alternative look at what's on their doorstep." Mike McFarlane is a landscape photographer, specialising in landscape, architectural and 360° virtual reality tour photography. Through his use of public transport and bike, Mike's carbon footprint will be substantially less than driving the route by car and taking more flights. Mike said: "When I left my job as an engineer to pursue a career as a landscape photographer I very much wanted my business to be ethical and environmentally-friendly and, not only entertain people, but to educate and inspire. I was excited to see how Devon Wildlife Trust's schemes are capturing the imagination of local communities, bringing people together for long-lasting positive change. "Ultimately, I want to be able to show people we have achingly beautiful places here in the county, worth protecting for the next generation and beyond. What better way to achieve that aim than helping to raise awareness of Devon Wildlife Trust's vision for A Living Landscape." You can follow Mike's travels via his website www.mikemcfarlane.co.uk or on Twitter @mikejmcfarlane.

Working Wetlands - Bursdon Moor Panorama

Exeter Wild City Panorama

BBC Children in Need Official Single. Labrinth, Tinchy, Chipmunk and Wretch 32 Come Together To Help

2011-11-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

The official BBC Children in Need single will get one of its most credible makeovers to date this year as the likes of Labrinth, Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Wretch 32 and Tulisa from NDubz present their own re-interpretation of Massive Attack’s timeless single ‘Teardrop’, with the new lyrics adapted by Wretch 32, Gary Go and Mr Dialysis. The song will be released through Island Records on November 13th with all proceeds going to the charity to support some of the most disadvantaged children right here in the UK. Gary Barlow was asked by BBC Children in Need organizers to come-up with an idea for the official single this year and immediately contacted Labrinth (famed for his production on Tinie Tempah’s ‘Pass Out’ which won Best British Single at The BRIT Awards 2011) to produce it. Together they assembled a group that makes up the cream of the UK grime scene including: Chipmunk, Dot Rotten, Ed Sheeran, Ms Dynamite, Mz Bratt, Rizzle Kicks, Tinchy Stryder, Tulisa and Wretch 32. The institution that is the official CiN single has always held a special place in our hearts and record collections. Since 1997 BBC Children in Need has achieved six No.1 singles and six more in the Top Ten; recorded by artists including JLS, The Spice Girls, Peter Kay, Lou Reed, S Club 7 and Will Young. This year’s collective, who have earned five No.1 singles between them already, will have a name to represent the group chosen for them through a fan competition launched today. The song is adapted from the original ‘Teardrop’ by Massive Attack – who also gave their blessing for the song to go ahead. Labrinth & Co assembled at Metropolis Studios at the beginning of last week to record the song and shoot the official video, which will premiere in the run-up to release.

BBC Children in Need supports children living in the UK facing a range of disadvantages including: poverty and deprivation, disabled young people and children who have been victims of abuse or neglect. The spectacular live Appeal Show will be broadcast live on BBC1 on Friday November 18th. To get involved in this year’s appeal please visit www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey

Learn some Old Home Crafts in a New North Devon Studio

2011-11-09T07:16:00.000-08:00

Traditional home crafts expert Sarah Harper has returned to her roots in North Devon to offer workshops at the lovely Rowan Tree Studio in Higher Clovelly. Earlier this year Sarah realised her dream of moving back from London to give her daughter the same wonderful North Devon childhood which she had enjoyed. Sarah has set up the Rowan Tree Studio in the beautiful Clovelly Estates property which has been constructed with a purpose built annexe designed for business with full disabled access and facilities. Sarah says "I wanted to teach essential skills such as sewing and knitting to local people who, for whatever reason, have never learned and to offer courses for those lucky enough to come here on holiday. I have a real passion for sewing, knitting, patchwork, soap making and other crafts that not only make great relaxing hobbies but also allow you to save money on items for the house, gifts for friends and family and clothes for yourself. I have a real emphasis on recycling old clothes, charity shop finds which mean that not only can you make items for yourself but they can save you money and the contribute to reducing your carbon foot print. Crafting does not need to be expensive!" Throughout the year Rowan Tree offer a series of workshops and 1-2-1 lessons in sewing, knitting, crochet, quilting, furniture painting, soap making and much more. You can learn a new skill in relaxing surroundings with amazing views and scrumptious Devon cream teas. If you are having a special event such as a hen party, birthday or baby shower and want to create something that will give lasting memories why not go along for an afternoon or weekend of crafting. There are a variety of party options for adults and children and Rowan Tree also offer sewing days where you can go along with your own projects and use the studio facilities and sewing machines from as little as £10 a day including refreshments. The Rowan Tree Studio has a regular knit and stitch group where you can bring knitting, sewing or any other craft you are working on and socialise with other local crafters and holiday makers who want to enjoy some relaxed crafting. Sarah will also be selling a selection of essential haberdashery items, gorgeous locally produced wools and lovely fabrics as well as handmade gifts from local designer makers.

You can contact Sarah on 01237 431942 www.rowantreestudio.co.uk The Old Granary Higher Clovelly EX39 5RR

Peppercombe Valley not for turning!

2011-11-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

Peppercombe Chronicles and one week in October. The leaves are still green and clinging to the trees down Peppercombe. Spotted a squirrel, darting across the track and scurrying up and along the tree branches. Little acorns are dropping on the verges amongst the rusty fallen leaves so it looks like that squirrel is in for a bountiful winter. Today there is a trickle of water in both streams in contrast to the thundering sound as huge waves crash on the pebbles down at the beach. Saw a few fungi and lichens on the way and as we arrived a Cormorant was coming in to land offshore. Swirling, rolling incoming tide on 17th October. A couple of days later the sun is out and a flock of gulls are bobbing offshore and a seal is popping his head up on the incoming blue tide. Took a photo of a lone Red Admiral sunning itself on the coast path. In the valley a hare made a sudden dash from the knotted roots of a tree then disappeared into the woodland above, three long tail tits were chirping happily in the beech canopy, a beetle was parked on the track and a pheasant was heard squawking in the undergrowth. It’s now quite a bit colder with fleeting sunlight. Lundy very low but clear. The blackberries and sloe berries which started to ripen in August are now joined by the vibrant display of hawthorne and holly. Occasional colour comes from the remaining Red Campion, Knapweed and Sheeps Bit. There is a huge clump of Hemp Agrimony in the meadows, its fading flowers now fluffy and white.

Charity makes Christmas cards count

2011-10-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

Following the huge success of its Christmas cards last year, a local wildlife charity is preparing for a bumper season in 2011 with a new range of designs. Devon Wildlife Trust's has been selling Christmas cards for a number of years and last year the scheme raised over £5,000 for it's work conserving wildlife around the county. There are eight stunning designs in this year's range which are available to order online, over the phone or by post. The designs include fox, squirrel, robin, deer, and hare and a number of beautiful wintery landscape shots. Phoebe Grubb, DWT's Fundraising Officer enthused: 'With Christmas now looming and the weather turning cold we have started to promote our latest range of cards. They are printed on card from sustainable sources and really show off some of Devon's best loved animals. The cards are a great way to help wildlife on your doorstep while sending your Christmas wishes to loved ones." People who wish to purchase cards should visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244. The cards are also available through the Cards for Good Causes outlets across the county.

Photo copyright Devon Wildlife Trust

Westward Ho! Gimme Shelter!

2011-10-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Gone but not forgotten! Westward Ho! Village Green enhancement started in March 2011 with the creation of a modern landscaped green with open spaces, paths, low bench seating and sympathetic planting. The pictures below of the old Village Green have been taken at various times of the year. The old shelter, now removed, has been a haven for locals and holidaymakers for years. Where else can you find some shade from the Summer sun, snuggle up in the Winter or eat your ice cream and fish n' chips on a windy day beside the seaside! If you want to share any information about the old shelter please leave a comment

Explore Westward Ho! with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

CAP reforms: a missed opportunity for farming and wildlife in Devon

2011-10-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) believes the Common Agricultural Policy reforms announced today are a missed opportunity to help secure a brighter future for the county's rich environment. The charity, which has 33,000 members and manages 45 nature reserves, has concerns that the EU farming reforms will reduce funding for vital agri-environment schemes. These reductions will have direct impacts on the future health of our countryside and also the farming community, with whom DWT works in partnerships across the county. D.W.T. believes that landowners are inadequately rewarded for the critical role they play in producing food and maintaining a healthy wildlife-rich environment. This includes providing clean water supplies, clean air and productive soils. Harry Barton, Devon Wildlife Trust's new Chief Executive said: "This is the best opportunity in a decade to make CAP work better for farmers and wildlife. Pressures on our natural environment are growing ever greater as land is built upon and demand for cheap food grows. These reforms do not go anywhere near far enough. Politicians in the UK and Europe need to have the courage and conviction to bring forward a package of measures that will have a real, meaningful and long lasting impact for the natural environment on which will all depend." "Through our Working Wetlands project in the north of the county our farming and wildlife advisors have carried out more than 1,000 farm visits and helped secure over 2,300 hectares of wildlife rich grasslands in optimum condition. From this experience we know the crucial role agri-environmental schemes play in both sustaining farmers' way of life, as well as our life support systems. But the proposed reforms threaten the protection that these grasslands have been given, and risk undoing years of hard won gains for rare wildlife. " The charity will campaign along with the other Wildlife Trusts throughout the UK over the coming months to feed in to the consultation process which is due to end
next year. (Photo: Harry Barton, Devon Wildlife Trust's new Chief Executive)

Hand in Hand. Kivu the Gorilla and Dartington Crystal

2011-09-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

Keeper at Paignton Zoo

A unique piece of gorilla art was recently auctioned by Paignton Zoo to raise money for international ape conservation. The Zoo, a registered charity, was selling a glass cast of the imprint of a gorilla hand. The impression was taken from the right hand of eight year old male lowland gorilla Kivu when the Zoo’s vet team performed a bone marrow biopsy on him recently. Modelling clay was used to take the impression while Kivu was under anaesthetic. A plaster cast was made from this by Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust reserves warden Dave Ellacott. The hand print was then created in glass by craftsmen at North Devon’s very own Dartington Crystal. This is an extra ordinarily beautiful object, wonderful and precious, like gorillas themselves. The auction presented a rare opportunity to own a piece of art that has a direct connection with one of the most amazing species on the planet. Gorillas are closely related to humans but are becoming increasingly rare. Every penny raised from the auction will help in the battle against extinction. Sue French from Dartington Crystal said: “We were delighted to help with this very special project. It was a real challenge for us at Dartington Crystal as it's not every day that you get to cast the hand of a gorilla and raise money for such a cause. Visitors were so interested when the casting took place that we decided to do a replica of Kivu's hand to put on display in our Visitor Centre". The piece, engraved with Kivu’s name and the year 2011, is nearly 30 centimetres long and about 20 centimetres wide. It weighs 2.54 kilos. The cast was made by Dartington Crystal master craftsman Paul Sullivan. Dartington Crystal can help you capture YOUR unique moment in time... A glass hand or foot cast makes the perfect keepsake or a special gift to parents and family. Click here for further details on Hand Cast Gifts & Gift Vouchers.See how it's done watch the movie demonstration below:

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is supporting the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Ape Campaign 2010, which aims to raise one million Euros for global ape conservation. The Zoo is hoping to donate £10,000. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk

Local landowners and volunteers set sights on lookering course

2011-09-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

Local landowners and volunteers set sights on lookering course Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) Working Wetlands Project is holding a 'Lookering' course this month to help the charity get more wildlife-rich land under good management. 'Lookering' is a familiar term to farmers, describing a set of important activities associated with looking after stock. With the decline in livestock farming and fewer people to manage them, much Culm Grassland is scrubbing up and being invaded by fast-growing willow, bramble and gorse. The project's priority is to reinstate management on neglected Culm Grassland sites within three target areas of the Culm Measures, especially those which have been managed by stock grazing in the past. Many people who now own Culm Grassland don't have their own stock, so a course has been set up to try and help people learn more about looking after Dartmoor ponies. By casting a daily eye over the grazing stock and reporting back if there are any problems, lookerers can really help landowners and the Wildlife Trust whilst also getting to know local wildlife. The course is being held on Wednesday 28 September 2011 near Tedburn St Mary. Trainees will learn how ponies graze, signs of good health and normal behaviour along with health & safety issues and the legalities affecting landowners. DWT's Working Wetlands Project Coordinator, Mark Elliot said: "With the complications surrounding cattle movements, we are increasingly turning to ponies to manage some of our best wildlife sites. In many ways they are perfectly suited for the rough grasslands where encroaching scrub like gorse and willow can be a real problem. Wild ponies can tackle these problems brilliantly and so we are keen to develop a network of people able to keep an eye on their welfare". For more information about the course and to book a place, contact Working Wetlands on 01409 221823 by Monday 26 September 2011. Working Wetlands is a seven year landscape scale project and this is just one of many initiatives being undertaken by the scheme across 65,000 hectares of the Culm Natural Area. It has been supported by South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management and Natural England.

Moving ponies on the site - Photo Copyright DWT

Clovelly Highlights. Shimmering Lobsters and Sea Shanties

2011-09-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

The crowds turned out for Clovelly’s annual Lobster and Crab Fest on the 4th September. A continuous stream of folk, young and not so young made the steep and winding walk down the wonky cobbles to the Quay. At journey’s end the reward was Clovelly Harbour, a stunning sight, especially at high tide. Shimmering water under blue skies, bobbing boats and the Clovelly lifeboat whizzing to and fro. The old cobbled Quay was lined with the colourful awnings of craft and food stalls and the aroma of sizzling seafood fritters and stir fry filled the air. Delicious cupcakes and all manner of local produce and products were on display, including those famous Clovelly lobsters and crabs. It was especially nice for the children to see the huge wriggling lobsters up close. Craft stalls were bedecked with colourful mosaics, fun t-shirts, hand-made patchwork and haberdashery, knitting yarns, recycled metal jewellery, local art and photographic gifts. There was even a wool spinning demonstration. Happy families with excited children took part in various fun activities including face painting, storytelling, balloon modelling, street theatre and still found time to greet the arrival of the resident donkeys. Bellowing above the buzz of the crowd some harmonious, fiddle-playing, folk singers took centre stage belting out sea shanties by the old lime kiln, which had been taken over by the North Devon ANOB for more kids’event-themed craft activities. The Lobster and Crab Fest was organised in support of the National Lobster Hatchery who brought along a tank of baby lobsters. Their bright red, white and blue stall was at the end of the Quay. You could sponsor your own teeny lobsters before they were released into a slightly bigger tank, Bideford Bay beyond the harbour. Also shimmering along the bumpy quayside was one giant “Lobster”. Drawing oohs and ahs from astonished children and adults, the very brave stilt walker stopped to pose for photos then carried on with confidence and without incident. The Red Lion, of course, did a roaring trade, the never-ending queue stretching from the bar and out the door where the beer and wine tasting stall was conveniently situated. I have never seen Clovelly quite so crowded but people waited patiently and with good spirits. The sunny weather held until mid-afternoon, then rain literally stopped play and everyone ran for cover including the band who decided it was much safer to head for the cosy Red Lion Hotel bar! Article and photos by P. Adams

The Lobster and Crab Fest is just one of many events held at Clovelly throughout the year. There is a landrover service which will take you “Up Along” or “Down Along” or you can stay in one of the two hotels, the New Inn at the top or the Red Lion. For more information visit clovelly.co.uk - What's On Clovelly, latest news and events - History of Clovelly Lifeboat
For information about the Padstow based National Lobster Hatchery
Explore Clovelly with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

North Devon Mini Breaks!

2011-09-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

As we made our way down to the Wreckers Retreat over the August Bank Holiday Weekend we came upon the "arresting" sight of hundreds of minis huddled above the famous Hartland Quay. These colourful little cars form the North Devon Grand Tour, a host of mini owners from around the United Kingdom, who meet once a year to raise funds for Children’s Hospice South West. The Legendary Grand Tour was taking a mini break in their happy journey around North Devon towns and villages. The convoy of "Little Cars with Big Hearts" are a most welcome sight for both locals and visitors who stop to wave them by..

The North Devon Heritage coast is also awash with natural colour as the purple heather blooms on the cliffsides around the Bideford Bay Area.
The Legendary Grand Tour started in 1994 with 4 Mini's going out for a drive! - Find out more at www.smallcarsbighearts.co.uk

Ben Howard: Westcountry singer-songwriter New Single, Video & UK Tour Dates

2011-08-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ben Howard releases his new single, ‘Keep Your Head Up’ on the 26th September. It is taken from his forthcoming debut album, ‘Every Kingdom’ released on the 3rd October 2011, released through Island Records.
Every Kingdom (Deluxe Edition) - Ben Howard -
Keep Your Head Up - Every Kingdom (Deluxe Edition)

Check out the video here

Click here to read about Ben Howard's Single and UK Tour Dates on the Focus Music Blogspot
www/benhowardmusic.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/benhowardmusic
http://www.myspace.com/benhoward

Devon Wildlife Trust: Wetlands project starts to sow the seeds

2011-08-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

This month, Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands Project team has been busy with several projects to spread 'green-hay' on sites in north and west Devon to create more wildflower-rich meadows. 'Green-hay' refers to the process of cutting flower-rich grassland areas on existing wildlife sites and quickly baling them un-dried. The bales are then transported to nearby local sites where they are spread onto prepared ground to introduce the seed onto sites which are currently of lower wildlife value. The process is a cost-effective way of enhancing or creating meadows and pastures as part of existing Natural England Environmental Stewardship agreements or to expand areas of wildlife habitat so landowners have more chance of securing a Stewardship agreement. The Working Wetlands team has gained considerable experience planning and managing these projects with many hectares of ground now blooming with the plants which have been spread since the Devon Wildlife Trust's landscape-scale project began in 2008. Stuart Coleman from the Working Wetlands Team said: "The team have always worked closely with landowners and local contractors to make these projects a success, but this year Working Wetlands has expanded its own machinery-ring to include a new 90 hp tractor and fodder chopper/spreader so we can spread the flower-rich bales ourselves. This has made a real difference speeding up operations and reducing costs for landowners enabling even more fields to be enhanced in this way." One of the projects completed this month has been 5.5 ha of fields at Simon Kerslake's "Higher Grinacombe" holding in Broadwoodwidger. Simon said: "This has been a really good project and something I had never heard of before so when DWT got in touch I thought it was quite inspirational and I was keen to go along with it. I'm now really excited to see the results and interested to do more in the future. I think the extra wildlife that will hopefully result from the work will be really beneficial to the farm." The charity is now looking for other landowners in the northern and western areas of Devon who might be interested in helping wildlife by using green-hay to create flower-rich meadows. To express an interest call the Working Wetlands team on 01409 221823.
Working Wetlands is a seven year landscape scale project and this is just one of many initiatives being undertaken by the scheme across 65,000 hectares of the Culm Natural Area. It has been supported by South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, GrantScape and Natural England

Petition launched to press for better protected seas

2011-08-15T05:49:00.000-07:00

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) officially launched its Petition Fish campaign on Friday 29 July to push for effective marine reserves around Devon as part of a network of marine protected areas throughout the UK. The launch was held at Wembury Marine Centre. The petition has already gained significant support over the past few months with many specially-produced foil fish scales already signed by people visiting the Centre. A similar petition was organised in 2007 to push for an effective Marine and Coastal Access Act and now the charity, in conjunction with Wildlife Trusts across the country, plans to collect thousands of signatures from people who would like to see areas of sea and coastline protected for the benefit of both people and wildlife. Peter Burgess, DWT's Conservation Advocacy Manager said: "It is essential that the proposed network of Marine Conservation Zones which has been promised as part of the Marine Act is put into place by the end of next year. It has taken a great deal of public support and effort to get to this stage and we now urge people to help us make sure we don't lose momentum. These zones need to be in the right place, well managed and support recovery from past decline if we are to achieve our aim for Living Seas." Some of the sites around Devon's coast which are proposed as areas to receive greater protection include the north Devon coast between Bideford and Foreland Point, and areas in Torbay. Peter added: "At present our seas are a shadow of their former selves. For centuries, we have taken our sea's riches for granted, taking too much with too little care. At present, only 2% of the UK's sea area has even a minimal level of protection for wildlife and less than 0.001% is fully protected from all damaging activities. We need a healthy, well protected sea so it can survive the many demands humans put on it." The organisation will be promoting the petition through its range of events at Wembury Marine Centre and at other locations over the summer starting this weekend with National Marine Weeks. The plan is to present all the signed Petition Fish from across the region to Government next year to make sure its acts decisively so that the network of reserves is in place by the end of 2012. For more information about the campaign and to sign a virtual scale online visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org/petition-fish/ Ref: DWT 27 July 2011

Adopt a species scheme expands to help the hog

2011-08-15T05:43:00.000-07:00

This summer Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) is expanding its range of online gifts with the addition of the option to adopt a hedgehog as part of the charity's Help the Hog campaign. The 'Adopt a species' scheme, launched in 2009 through the DWT website, www.devonwildlifetrust.org allows people to support the Trust's conservation work in Devon, protecting habitats and species for future generations to enjoy. People can choose to 'adopt' from a list of five wonderful species: dormouse, otter, dolphin, bat and now hedgehog. With each £20 donation, purchasers will receive a soft toy of their chosen species along with a welcome letter, fact sheet and certificate, a postcard of the species, a fun activity book and a pack of six colouring pencils. Phoebe Grubb, from DWT said: 'This is a great way for people to support our new campaign - adopt a species makes the perfect alternative gift for friends and family! The Help the hog campaign has really taken off this year, we have received more than 2,500 records of hedgehogs from around the county and early signs do seem to confirm our fears that these amazing mammals are in decline in Devon.' The money raised through the initiative will go towards the costs of carrying out conservation work throughout the county benefiting these species and the habitats that they need to thrive. To adopt a hedgehog today, visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244. Ref: DWT 20 July 2011

Photo copyright Hugh Clark

Charity gets kit for frits

2011-06-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

A leading South West conservation charity has this month been testing out its new machinery which is set to help boost the fortunes of a number of fritillary butterfly species on Dartmoor. Last year Devon Wildlife Trust was awarded money by Viridor Credits Environmental Company, through the Landfill Communities Fund and has purchased a new alpine tractor and two quad bikes to help with its conservation work. The new kit will be used at four of the charity's key nature reserves: Blackadon, Dart Valley, Dunsford and Emsworthy on Dartmoor. The low ground pressure alpine tractor is specially designed for safe use on steep slopes like those found in Dartmoor's valleys. The quad bikes will be used in width-restricted areas that the tractor is unable to access. This equipment will enable DWT's reserves staff to better manage the sites for these rare and threatened species. The Pasquali alpine tractor's small wide wheels and low centre of gravity make it safe to use on the Dartmoor valleys' steep slopes, and it even bends in the middle to help it negotiate boulders. All the vehicles will be used to cut and collect bracken, which is a key task in managing land for the endangered fritillaries' recovery. Matt Boydell, DWT's Land Management Manager said: "This is a significant boost for us and will help us manage these more difficult sites and create and expand the habitats which these butterflies thrive on. The project focuses on the management of south facing bracken slopes, increasing spring-flowering plant species including violets and bugle which are the food plants of the larvae and adults of rare fritillary butterflies such as the pearl- and small-pearl bordered. To get this equipment in place will help us greatly in our management this year and for many years to come." For more information about the project visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Reserves. Assistant Andrew Warren tries out DWT's new quad bike

WILL BIG IDEAS MEAN BIG CHANGE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

2011-06-08T03:30:00.000-07:00

The launch of the Government's Natural Environment White Paper today has been welcomed by the Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT). However the charity has cautioned that its encouraging words now need to be followed by urgent action. DWT Director Paul Gompertz said: "For decades now, governments everywhere have been long on promises and short on action when it comes to maintaining the diversity of life on the planet. There is a real danger that this is just another set of fine words paving the way to a looming breakdown of natural systems."We welcome much of the content of today's Natural Environment White Paper and are pleased to see such a broad spectrum of proposed action, but we're reminded of the Marine Act which offered fantastic promises but remains to prove itself in the implementation." The commitment to be 'the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than it inherited' is obviously laudable. However, this country made the same commitment ten years ago, and failed. Since then 30% cuts have been made to the Department which might be expected to lead on this. And the document still insists that 'economic growth and the natural environment are mutually compatible', even though we live in a planet which is consuming at three times the rate nature can provide. Paul added: "This is more Vision document than White Paper, since it doesn't propose any significant legislation. Visions are easy on the Treasury. The principles are all sound - the document speaks the right language - but these worthy aspirations now need to be translated into urgent and substantial gains for Devon's wildlife and wild places."

Barnstaple comes alive for Wildlife Festival

2011-06-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) held its annual Wildlife Festival in Barnstaple on Saturday as part of the 13th North Devon Festival. It was the charity's fifth annual Wildlife Festival and ran between 10am and 4pm. The event featured many wildlife-themed exhibits and activities aimed at keeping families entertained. It began with a parade through the High Street with a samba band and giant bug stilt walkers, all led by the Mayor of the town who brought the parade to the Square and officially opened the event. Jo Pullin, DWT's event organiser said: "This year's event was a real success with over 3,000 people attending. We had Vintage Mobile Cinema showing wildlife films and over 100 nest boxes were made, which is always a firm favourite at our festivals. We would like to thank all the volunteers who help make the event possible and luckily the weather held off despite a short shower in the afternoon. Look out for us at a town near you next year!" This year's event was generously sponsored by BID Barnstaple, The Bridge Trust and South West Water. Photo: Wildlife Festival Stilt Walkers copyright Devon Wildlife Trust

Big Garden Birdwatch 2011 Results

2011-05-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

The Big Garden Birdwatch 2011 results are here! Wow! Over 600,000 of you took part in this year's Big Garden Birdwatch. Not only does that make 2011 a record-breaking year for the number of people watching their garden birds, but your counts also revealed some exciting news about our smaller birds. Click here to view results in your area.

The 2011 Big Garden Birdwatch top 10; Position Species

1 house sparrow

2 starling

3 blackbird

4 blue tit

5 chaffinch

6 woodpigeon

7 great tit

8 goldfinch

9 robin

10 collared dove

Next Event

June: Make Your Nature Count

October: Feed the Birds Day

Inspiring Spring Courses at Yarner - Master Glass Blowers in Bideford

2011-05-17T04:26:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there is a Master Craftsman who has made pieces for Tiffany, Cartier and Wedgwood, working in Bideford? Lars Persson is a Master Glassmaker with over 40 years experience in the glass making industry, having recently worked at Dartington. Together with his two sons, Anders and Matthew who have a further 30 years between them, have set up an environmentally aware glass recycling workshop. They take orangina and perrier bottles for example, and transform them into beautiful birds, desirable yet contemporary glassware with a purposeful eco stance. They’re now offering courses through the Yarner Trust where both Lars and Matthew personally instruct a small group of 6 students for a day, teaching 3 techniques: glass blowing, glass forming and glass casting. Next course Saturday 2nd July 2011.

Who's? Glass is a new, environmentally aware glass-making company that specialises in unique, handcrafted recycled glassware. The fundamental ethos of Who's? Glass is to make the upcycling of a used glass bottle as environmentally friendly as possible - to transform a waste consumer container, destined for landfill, into a desirable yet contemporary glassware product with a definite and purposeful eco stance. Established in 2008 and set in the picturesque port town of Bideford - North Devon, Who's? Glass is a company committed to the environment and is proud to offer a cleaner alternative to the UK's remaining glass-making industry. Since the first bottle was collected, washed and reshaped, Who's? Glass has gone from strength to strength as Devon's first and only glass company specialising in recycled glassware. Lars Anders Persson is a Master Glassmaker with over 40 years experience in the glass making industry. Lars has helped create pieces for companies such as Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Wedgwood, amongst many others, and has worked for some of the world's top glass houses.
Working alongside Lars is his eldest son Anders, who has over 16 years experience in the glass industry and is a keen participant in new technical developments in recycled glass. The youngest son, Matthew, completes the team. With 14 years glass-making and designing experience to his name, Matthew is a multi-award winning glass designer who has designed ranges for some of Britain's top high street stores and produced both crystal and glassware ranges for internationally known glass manufacturers.They believe that they will contribute to a greener environment with less quarrying, less land-fill, less waste and less carbon emissions in the glass making industry. As a group they are individual, talented and outstandingly creative.

Orangina and Perrier are transformed into beautiful birds.
Just some of the courses available at Yarner this spring: Traditional Stained Glass: 21 – 22nd May, Nature from Life. Glass Blowing: Date Saturday 2nd July 2011 Duration 1 day Time 10am - 4pm Cost £125 (Bursaries available) Group Size 6 Minimum Age 16. For more details contact The Yarner Trust The Barton, Welcombe, Bideford, Devon, EX39 6H Tel: 01288-331692, info@yarnertrust.org or http://www.yarnertrust.org/

BBC ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW COMES TO HARTLAND ABBEY 7 JULY

2011-05-05T02:54:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of the summer at Hartland Abbey will be the arrival of BBC's Antiques Roadshow on Thursday 7th July, starting at 10 a.m.. It is a great honour to be hosting it in this beautiful corner of North Devon which is easily accessible from Junction 27 of the M5 or from the A39. We are within easy reach of all Devon, Cornwall and Somerset with the City of Plymouth, and towns of Launceston, Holsworthy, Okehampton, Torrington, Bideford, Barnstaple, Crediton and Tiverton nearby. The house itself will be closed to visitors on that day only as it will be used as part of the show. However the gardens should be looking lovely and will be open as normal; if you are planning to visit anyway come along and perhaps bring some family heirloom with you too! The walk to the beach will also be open as normal and there will be a large variety of refreshments available, many supporting local charities. Contact TEL NO: Tel: 01237 441264/234 EMAIL: ha_admin@btconnect.com
7 July 2011 BBC ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW COMES TO HARTLAND ABBEY, Nr. Bideford, North Devon EX39 6DT.

Royal Wedding Watch

2011-04-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

North Devon prepares to celebrate William and Kate's Big Day with a host of Street Parties around the Region. Clovelly are holding a street party to celebrate the occasion and you can watch the Royal Wedding on a widescreen TV at 11:30 am. The Royal Street Party starts at 2:30 p.m. with a complimentary glass of Bucks fizz or fruit cocktail to toast the happy couple. There follows a children's tea party with jelly and ice cream, BBQ burger or hotdog for adults, a scone with jam & cream, all for just £1 each. Children can have their faces painted, enter a fancy dress prize competition for the best Prince and Princess and enjoy a treasure hunt. There'll be a specially brewed real ale on sale, a prize draw in aid of the S.W. Children's Hospice and live music. The New Inn will also be hosting a cocktail party with disco and karaoke in the evening.

Royal Wedding Street Party Date: Friday, 29th April Location: New Inn, Clovelly Normal admission charges apply Visit Clovelly Web Site
NORTH Devon is getting ready to break out the bunting and celebrate the Royal Wedding in style......Visit the North Devon Gazette for more events around the region

The wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton will be available to watch on the Royal Channel Live Stream, accompanied by a live multi-media blog put together by St. James's Palace......visit The Royal Wedding Official Site
BBC Royal Wedding Features, Wedding Route, Updates & Video

Devon residents invited to help the hog

2011-04-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

A local wildlife charity has launched a new campaign to find out more about the current state of the hedgehog population in Devon. Devon Wildlife Trust is asking local people to send in records of hedgehog sightings in or near their garden over the last few years via its website. There is growing evidence which suggests that the hedgehog population is in decline throughout the UK and this much loved animal is becoming a rarer sight. Although the reason behind this decline is not yet clear, it is thought that the loss of green space in the urban environment one factor. Stephen Hussey DWT's Communications Coordinator said: "We decided to launch this campaign to involve local people in recording the wildlife on their doorstep. The hedgehog is a well known species and it's easy to recognise. People know them as a common visitors to Devon gardens and we want to find out if there really is a problem in our region." Its not all doom and gloom, there are a number of things that people can do in their own garden to help hedgehogs. Stephen added: "From making your garden more wildlife friendly, feeding your local hedgehog dog food and water (not bread and milk), to ensuring your pond is safe for these lovable creatures, there are plenty of things you can do to help. We have lots of useful tips and information on our website for people who want to know more." For more information helping the hog or to fill in a survey form visit http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/.

Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Challenges 2011 Fancy a challenge this year? Devon Wildlife Trust is running its first ever sponsored cycle challenges in May and July. Click on the link below to find out more! www.devonwildlifetrust.org/cycle-devon-coast-to-coast-2011/

North Devon Theatres granted Arts Council funding

2011-03-31T03:22:00.000-07:00

North Devon Theatres is pleased to announce that they have been granted 3 year funding as part of the National Portfolio, and at the increased level that they had asked for. The ACE assessment report concludes: "In view of the fact that they make explicit the case with regards to artistic impact, good management and financial stability, this application is strongly recommended for support at the full amount requested." Alan Giddings, Chief Executive of North Devon Theatres said: “This ringing endorsement is obviously very pleasing given the hard work of the past few years and acknowledges our strategic multi-arts approach. Although it won’t solve all our problems, it will undoubtedly help us to deliver the arts for the region for the next few difficult years.

Ponies used to help restore rare grassland habitat at Bridgelea

2011-03-16T04:59:00.000-07:00

Four hardy moorland ponies have this month been brought in to graze a rare Culm grassland site in central Devon as part of Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands project. The 2.5 hectare site at Bridgelea near Sampford Courtenay had been in need of attention for several years. The Working Wetlands project awarded the landowners a grant to carry out scrub clearance and install stockproof fencing which has enabled the re-introduction of grazing. The four ponies are part of the Devon Wildlife Trust's Grazing Links scheme, an initiative which brings people with livestock together with landowners in need of grazing for their holdings. It is hoped that the ponies will help to open up the habitat and allow a broad range of wild flower species to become more widely established across the site. This increase in the range of wild flowers will benefit a host of insects, which in turn will support healthy populations of birds and small mammals. This initiative was only made possible by the generous funding of Devon Waste Management. Their support has enabled the Working Wetlands project to set up and administer a small grant award initiative which offers landowners financial support to carry out capital works on wildlife-rich sites in the Culm Measures. Devon Wildlife Trust's Mike Symes oversaw the introduction of grazing and said: "Bridgelea is a great site but its value for wildlife was being lost due to scrub encroachment and a lack of grazing. Now, as a result of the funding provided by Devon Waste Management, the important Culm grassland habitat will be restored through improved, sympathetic land management." Bob and Joy Tucker, the landowners at Bridgelea, added: "When we moved here we knew that the land was in need of some careful management, but we didn't know where to start. Devon Wildlife Trust has enabled us to embark on this exciting project and we are really looking forward to seeing the field transformed year by year, allowing the more delicate and vulnerable species that could not compete with the rushes to establish themselves."

Ponies at Bridgelea photo copyright Devon Wildlife Trust

Working Wetlands is a seven year landscape scale project working across 65,000 hectares of the Culm Natural Area. It has been supported by South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, GrantScape and Natural England.

Devon Reptile & Amphibian Group calls for sightings of rare newt!

2011-03-15T03:39:00.000-07:00

Although frogs and newts are familiar from ponds and gardens, globally amphibians are one of the most threatened creatures on earth. In order to help conserve one of the UK's rarest amphibians the Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group, with funding from the Devon Biodiversity Partnership and help from the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre, has recently set up a Great Crested Newt Project. As part of this they are looking for help in locating records of the rare and protected Great Crested Newt, which is currently only known to exist in a few ponds in the county. Great Crested Newts are much larger (up to 17cm long) than the small newts (around 10cm long) more commonly found in our ponds. The body is dark brown to black in colour with a warty appearance. Male Great Crested Newts can be identified by the jagged crest running along their back. Newts have a similar life cycle to frogs and toads, hibernating through the winter months and returning to breed in ponds in the spring. Nicky Green, Chair of the Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group (DRAG) said: 'The Great Crested Newt is thought to be virtually extinct in Devon. However, there have been new recorded sightings across the county, which suggest that there are more of them out there than previously thought. In order to help conserve this rare and fascinating species we need as many records of sightings as possible'. If you think you may have seen Great Crested Newts in your pond please contact Julia.clark_DRAG@hotmail.co.uk or 01626 834422 with the location, post code and date of the sighting. A Great Crested Newt identification and conservation pack is available for respondents.

About Devon Reptile & Amphibian Group
DRAG is the county’s amphibian and reptile voluntary body, with more than 100 members. The group aims to promote the conservation of amphibians and reptiles and their habitats in the county. DRAG record, monitor and survey amphibians and reptiles in Devon.The Great Crested Newt Project has been funded by the Devon Biodiversity Partnership and the Devon Biodiversity Record Centre. The project aims to increase our knowledge of the distribution of Great Crested Newts in the county so they are better able to promote their conservation and ensure they are not adversely affected by development activities.The Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) is Britain’s largest and most threatened newt. The body is dark brown to black in colour with a warty appearance. It has a bright orange belly with black markings.

Hartland Abbey Nature Walks - Daffodil Sunday 20th March

2011-03-12T04:55:00.000-08:00

See all the beautiful, historic daffodils and narcissi in the gardens and woodland walks. Primroses and violets, rhododendrons and camellias and lots more spring flowering shrubs and bulbs. Enjoy a lovely day out in this beautiful valley leading to the sea. Walk to the restored Summerhouse, lost since World War II *Adults £3.50* Children under 5 free, over 5 £1* *House open at extra charge* Dogs really welcome* Hot pasties, light lunches & cream teas in aid of St Nectans church 20th March Daffodil Sunday - Nature Walk at Hartland Abbey from 11-4pm

Explore the Hartland Heritage Coast with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

Peppercombe Chronicles - Brighter days and babbling brooks

2011-03-05T06:35:00.000-08:00

26th February. The sun has come out at last. The recent heavy rainfall has resulted in the formation of many rivulets forging channels as they travel down the valley to the sea. The surplus water runs off the upper meadows on both sides of the valley and the two main streams merge just under the bridge at the Coastguard cottages. Mini babbling brooks are also created alongside the path all the way down occasionally pooling where leaves have blocked the way. The odd bird chirps but the main action today seems to be the hundreds of starlings roosting along the electricity wires on the A39 at Horns Cross. Down by Peppercombe Meadows two buzzards are battling above the coastpath. Although Clovelly is visible across Bideford Bay, Lundy is not. Spring is breaking now in earnest and the first spikes of the ransoms are pushing through on the banks beside the track which, sadly, are still being eroded. Soon Peppercombe will take on a yellow glow when carpeted by flowering primroses, lesser celandine, daffodils and lofty Alexanders. As February draws to a close the early morning frost has returned, so it seems Spring is not quite here yet!. The starlings are a regular sight now swirling aloft like a cloud then settling on the hedgerows around the field.

Lundy high, sign of dry

Lundy plain, sign of rain

Lundy low, sign of snow

On the tide-line or in the surf! Woolacombe Bay's Amazing Holidays

2011-03-01T09:01:00.000-08:00

If you want to play in the surf at Woolacombe Bay's amazing Golden Sands Blue Flag Beach then head straight to Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks, the family run business which has been providing holidays in North Devon for over 50 years. Located in one of the most serene and beautiful parts of the UK, virtually on the tide line of what is often referred to as one of the worlds finest beaches and within easy reach of the South West Coastal Footpath, the U.N.E.S.C.O. biosphere at Saunton and the glorious Exmoor National Park. There is something for everyone at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks, all accommodation is of an exceptional standard and all designed to make your stay memorable and comfortable. Choose from prestigious apartments, cottages, farmhouses, lodges and caravan holiday homes to camping, camper vans and touring caravans. For families who don’t want to leave their “best friends” behind there is even a range of allocated pet-friendly accommodation all within easy access to footpaths or dedicated exercise area. This is a popular destination and some types of accommodation sell out, so why not book your Woolacombe Bay Holiday today. - Camping Holidays - Caravan Holidays - Latest Offers

The Blue Flag standard is only given to those beaches with the highest quality bathing water, good management, cleanliness and safety. Speedboats and jet skis are prohibited, thereby offering superb facilities for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, sailing and sea canoeing. Woolacombe beach is also a popular venue for the exciting new sport of kite surfing

Explore Woolacombe with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

North Devon otter video makes a splash at film festival!

2011-03-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

A film capturing wild otters in their natural environment shot by Devon Wildlife Trust's Senior Nature Reserves Officer Gary Pilkington has been shortlisted for an award. Gary managed to film the family of otters one day when out working on Marsland Nature Reserve near Hartland. The footage which has already had thousands of views on You Tube was submitted to the Borderlines Film Festival at the end of the year. Now it has been shortlisted for the Under Open Skies Harry Williamson Award for the best amateur and professional films on Britain's natural world. This is the first time the competition has been run and it was set up in honour of Harry Williamson, a very dedicated and prolific amateur film-maker. The prize is sponsored by Wyevale Nurseries. Borderlines Film Festival runs throughout Herefordshire and Shropshire and will screen at 37 venues from 25 March to 10 April. With over 220 screenings and events it is the UK's largest rural film festival. Gary said: "It's great to be shortlisted for this award, I have managed this reserve for more than 20 years and never seen an otter so it was a shock and real surprise to be in the right place in the right time with my camera at hand. The otters didn't seem to mind me being around at all and as the footage shows the two young ones had probably not had any contact with humans, they seemed fully at ease playing about in the stream." Gary will find out in early April whether he has won the prize.

Here is the video for you all to enjoy

Good Luck Gary

First Footing! - Spring breaks at Welcombe

2011-02-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

20th February. A trip down to Welcombe Mouth, one of my favourite secluded coves on the wild North Devon Heritage Coast. Stong winds, good light, heavy ocean spray above high rolling surf. The first sighting of a number of Coltsfoot peeking through the undergrowth, sure sign that Spring is on the way. The flower heads, similar to a Dandelion, appear before the leaves on this hardy little plant which was once used as a remedy for coughs and colds. Coltsfoot is prevalent on the boggy grassland above the beach. Looks like it is also the first flight for an orange tailed bumble bee and two caterpillars are out for a walk. I am hoping that the motionless bumble bee hiding in the grass is just enjoying an afternoon siesta. Welcombe Mouth is located on the outer limits of the North Devon Area of Natural Beauty. A quiet spot, popular with surfers, photographers and walkers. The secluded beach has good sand at low tide and is surrounded by high cliffs. There is a superb panorama from high on the Southwest Coast Path. Welcombe Mouth is accessed by car from the A39, the road winds down to the scattered village of Welcombe which is home to the Yarner Trust, Welcombe Pottery and the Old Smithy Inn. The last part of the road is not surfaced so great care must be taken.

Welcombe Bytes: Spectacular rugged rock formations, big stepping stones across the mouth of the fast running stream linking one side of the South West Coast Path to the other. The water cascades down over the rocks. Waterfall visible from the beach and from the coast path. Site of Special Scientific interest. In 1970, at the height of their fame, the band Deep Purple stayed at the Hermitage while writing their second album "Fireball". St. Nectan's Church St. Nectan was the first Devon Saint and Martyr. He was venerated in the Hartland area and the churches at Welcombe and Stoke are dedicated to him. Across the road from the Church is St. Nectan's Well. If you know what type of butterflies these will become leave a comment!

Appeal launched to extend charity nature reserve At Dunsdon

2011-02-23T09:24:00.000-08:00

Devon Wildlife Trust has launched an appeal to its members and local people in the hope that it can raise money to extend one of its nature reserves and preserve some of the county's rarest wildlife. The charity has just been given the chance to add new land to its Dunsdon National Nature Reserve, which lies at the very heart of the Culm Measures in the north west of Devon. The five hectares of SSSI land for sale abut the eastern end of the existing 63 hectare site. The charity has been offered £43,000 towards the purchase by GrantScape, who have funded a wealth of groundbreaking conservation work in this area over the past four years. Devon Wildlife Trust is now looking for another £10,000 in order to complete the purchase. Gary Pilkington, DWT's Senior Reserves Officer said: "Dunsdon is a large reserve that buzzes and bursts with wildlife. Damp acid soils and a history of traditional, sympathetic farming provide ideal conditions for such rare plants as the lesser butterfly orchid, wavy-leaved St John's wort and three-leaved water crowfoot. This rich flora supports an amazing array of other wildlife. Twenty-six species of butterfly make their homes here, including a large nationally important population of rare marsh fritillaries. Breeding birds include herons, skylarks, spotted flycatchers, willow tits and grasshopper warblers. Barn owls hunt over the fields and can sometimes be seen roosting in the trees. The new parcel of land has fantastic potential for these and many other species." The site is also a strategic point on the map for DWT's Working Wetlands team who are helping neighbouring farmers to restore and re-create a network of wildlife habitats on their own holdings around Dunsdon. This gives the new land huge importance as a key link in a chain of joined-up Culm grassland sites. To donate to the appeal either call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244 or visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Peppercombe in the Mist.

2011-02-22T11:43:00.000-08:00

Peppercombe Chronicles 19th February Yet another dank, dismal February day but mid-morning a sea mist rolled in, not great light this time of year for photographs but there is always something happening down Peppercombe Valley. The grey mist made for a very ethereal experience. A single yellow flowering lesser celandine amidst the new green shoots beside the path was the only colourful sign of Spring. The catkins and smattering of snowdrops have been out for a couple of weeks now. An occasional flaming red elf cup can be seen snuggling down amongst fallen twigs and branches. I hardly recognise the place which seems strangely empty due to fallen or lopped trees and flattened bracken. For the first time ever I am aware of the precipitous drop from the path and unusually can see clearly over to the lower track and the fast running stream. Spring Beauty, Wood Sorrel, Bluebell Spikes, Daffodil shoots and Dogs Mercury rising.

Bideford Railway Tracks…..

2011-02-16T05:05:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share these pictures with all you Bideford Railway history enthusiasts. The photos are dated 1976 and 1993 and were contributed by Philip Lindhurst, whose lifelong interest in Railway Stations was instigated in 1976 while on holiday at his Aunt and Uncle’s in Landcross. His Aunt took him on a trip to see the old Bideford station and Philip, who lives in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire has “walked many an old railway line” since. One of the photos taken on that day was of the old Booking Office which was, for many years occupied, by the Midland Bank. In the photo you can see the name over the door. This building is now the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre and the local office for the North Devon AONB. Many of the old stations across the country are now private homes but Philip finds that people are only too happy to share memories or show him round. One such occasion was in Frongoch, North Wales when a lady allowed him to go round the back to photograph the platforms. He was especially pleased to see the old signal box was still standing and she kindly opened it up so he could take more pictures inside. She said that at one time this particular station had two waiting rooms, one for the ladies and one for the gents. The “Gents” is now her front room and the “Ladies” is now the kitchen! Philip has worked on the London Underground for the past forty years but still enjoys hunting out old railway stations and has built up an extensive archive of photographs, remnants of a bygone age when the Railways were the most important mode of transport especially in rural areas. Some of Philip’s photos are on display in the old Bideford Railway Carriage which is open for refreshments in the holiday season. Philip has taken pictures of Bideford Railway Station in 1976, 1993 and 2008. The old Bideford railway line now forms part of the 180 mile Tarka Trail. Click here to Explore Bideford Railway Station and the Tarka Trail with the North Devon Focus - All images, articles on this site copyright North Devon Focus. Photos of Bideford Station copyright Philip Lindhurst

Later this year Philip and twelve friends will be taking photographs "off the beaten track" on a trip to see the old nuclear power station at Chenobyl. They will also be visiting what is now the ghost town of Pripyat which once had a population of around 49,000.

The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine (then in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union). It is considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history and is the only level 7 event on the International Nuclear Event Scale. Click here for Chernobyl Disaster Wikipedia Stub

Ruined farmstead uncovered in conservation project at Knowstone Moor

2011-02-10T08:32:00.000-08:00

Scrub clearance work currently being carried out at Devon Wildlife Trust's Knowstone Moor nature reserve has uncovered a long-lost farmstead hidden from view for decades. The 120 hectare reserve near Rackenford is a mixture of grassland, heathland and bog is split by the A361 Devon Link Road. It was known that the ruins known as Little Comfort Farm existed at the site, but work this month to remove scrub as part of the GrantScape funded Culm restoration project has unveiled a large area of walls and foundations thought to date back to Elizabethan times. Ian Chadwick, the nature reserves officer for the site who has been in charge of the work said: "We knew there was suppose to be a farmstead in the area, but until now had never had the funding to really get on top of the thick scrub in the area and fully discover it. Now with the help of contractors and volunteers the site has really opened up and we can see the layout of the farmstead, its out buildings and walls." Along with opening up this ruin, the conservation work is due to benefit a widerange of rare species that exist on the nature reserve including birds such as curlew, nightjar, whinchat and hen harrier. Its insects include two rarities; the marsh fritillary butterfly and the narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth. The charity is now interested to hear from local historians who may be able to shed more light on this ruin.

Leave a comment if you know anything about the history of Little Comfort Farm

Culm restoration project's Christmas tree clearance begins

2011-02-04T07:24:00.000-08:00

Clearance work at an overgrown Christmas tree plantation near Rackenford in Devon gets under way this month as part of Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands project.The 3.5 hectare site includes Norway Spruce trees of varying ages which have passed their commercial peak. It is hoped that by clearing the trees the site will return to being Culm grassland. In turn, this should enable habitat connections between several key wildlife sites in the vicinity, and help important species to move around the landscape.The initiative is due for completion by the end of March 2011 and is being funded through Natural England's Higher Level Stewardship scheme. The project site is owned by Tim & Andy Paxton and represents part of their Rackenford Manor Farm. Situated close to Rackenford Moor, it forms part of a larger area of internationally important Culm grassland habitat.The Paxton's holding sits within the Working Wetlands project's Knowstone and Witheridge priority area. Stuart Coleman, DWT Working Wetlands project advisor said: "Although not a large site, the removal of this derelict conifer crop is a key strategic boost for us. The wildlife rich habitat which will be recreated here will link nicely with other areas of Culm grassland, and aid the recovery of many

important species, such as curlew, and marsh fritillary." Working Wetlands is a seven year landscape scale project and this is just one of many initiatives being undertaken by the scheme across 65,000 hectares of the Culm Natural Area. It has been supported by South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, Grantscape and Natural England.

Join the National Trust online today

2011-01-31T07:04:00.000-08:00

The National Trust is a charity and is completely independent of Government. The Trust relies for income on membership fees, donations and legacies, and revenue raised from commercial operations. It has over 3.6 million members and 55,000 volunteers. More than 14 million people visit its pay for entry properties, while an estimated 50 million visit its open air properties.The National Trust protects and opens to the public over 350 historic houses, gardens and ancient monuments and also looks after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves, villages - for ever, for everyone. Join online today
Why join the National Trust: Join today from only £37.88 for your first year, and help look after the places you love, whilst enjoying:

Free entry to over 300 historic houses and gardens
Free car parking at most Trust properties
3 months' free membership when you pay by Direct Debit
Free National Trust binoculars
Free entry to the National Trust for Scotland and other partner organisation offers

Join today and help protect some of our most beautiful places.

Nick Baker confirmed to open summer Wildlife Festival in Barnstaple

2011-01-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

TV wildlife presenter Nick Baker has confirmed he will open this year's Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) Wildlife Festival in June. The event is just one in a series taking place to celebrate the 13th North Devon Festival. The date for the Wildlife Festival has just been announced and plans are well on the way for making this year's event the best ever. This year will be the charity's fifth annual Wildlife Festival. Following a successful spectacle in Plymouth last year the event comes to Barnstaple Town Centre for 2011. The festival will be held on Saturday 4 June between 10am and 4pm. Jo Pullin DWT's event organiser said: "It's great to have Nick Baker on board again. He had a great time last year making nest boxes and talking to families about his wildlife experiences, so he was quick to agree to come up to north Devon. This will be the second time the festival has visited Barnstaple and it will be lovely to see old faces returning along with new people. We have a winning formula which people seem to love!" The charity is currently writing to local wildlife related organisations in the area to see if they would like to attend the event which will be held at The Square, close to the town centre. This year there are plans for a wildlife parade, along with bird watching on the river, and the ever popular attractions of nest box making, face painting and live animals. For more information about the event visit http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/. Anyone wanting to volunteer or have a stall at the event should contact Jo Pullin on 01392 279244.

Trainee sought to help north Devon conservation project

2011-01-18T03:18:00.000-08:00

The Grazing Advice Partnership is offering one person the chance to gain a year's training and learn about conservation grazing through Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) Working Wetlands project. The twelve month placement will be involved in the day to day management of the charity's herd of rare breed cattle. This will include stock checking, transportation and liaison with landowners. As well as gaining the chance to carry out tractor driving tasks such as soil aeration, topping and flailing there will be the opportunity to learn other skills such as green hay spreading. The placement is part of the Grazing Links initiative of Working Wetlands, a project that supports landowners to undertake conservation grazing within three target areas of north Devon's Culm Natural Area. It is particularly focused on restoring wildlife rich habitats such as Culm grassland. Mark Elliot DWT's Working Wetlands Project Manager said: "This is a great opportunity for a local person who is perhaps looking to get into the conservation sector to gain hands-on experience through this landscape scale conservation project. They will get to work across the whole 65,000 hectare project area and help make a noticeable difference to local wildlife rich sites." Trainees will receive a tax exempt bursary of £14,000, mentoring support and access to GAP training courses. To apply applicants should visit the Grazing Advice Partnership website: www.grazingadvicepartnership.org.uk/ - Closing date for entries is 21 January.

The RSPB’s biggest event of the year "Big Garden Birdwatch"

2011-01-13T07:51:00.000-08:00

The RSPB’s biggest event of the year "Big Garden Birdwatch" will take place on January 29th and 30th. In recent years, around half a million people have taken part but this year the RSPB hope to encourage even more people to count the birds in their garden over the weekend. Go to the Big Garden Birdwatch website: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch where you can pre-register and receive a free information pack (if you register by 19th Jan) and 10% off bird food. Big Garden Birdwatch encourages many people to get involved and enjoy the wildlife in their garden and from 11th January, they are offering new adult members a choice of free gift that includes the popular RSPB classic apex nest box if they join by 31st March. Or, you can still choose the RSPB Handbook of British Birds or bird feeder with seed – all perfect gifts to help people enjoy the birds in their garden.
New Membership prices for 2011:
Single child £16
Two or more children £26.50
Single Adult Membership £38
Joint Adult Membership £48
Family Membership £53
JOIN THE RSPB TODAY
More Big Garden Bird Watch Posts

Walking for Health scheme receives new support for the New Year

2011-01-07T06:51:00.000-08:00

Taw Torridge Volunteer Services (TTVS) and Transform Ilfracombe have come together with the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Service to coordinate Walking for Health groups in North Devon and Torridge. Walking for Health is a national scheme that uses the national environment to help people confront and prevent health problems such as obesity, stress and mental health conditions, and aid recovery from illness. Led by Natural England, it provides support for local, volunteer-led walking groups to offer a range of walks for people of varying abilities. As Jenny Fish from TTVS explains, "Health and exercise are at the forefront of our thoughts immediately after the excesses of Christmas and New Year, so what better time to encourage people to get involved with Walking for Health." Devon County Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, Cllr Roger Croad, agrees; "Research shows that access to the natural environment is good for us. We are lucky in north Devon to have a Biosphere Reserve with a high quality environment that is internationally recognised, so a scheme like this that uses our natural environment to confront health problems and other diseases is to be welcomed. Devon County Council is pleased to have provided the resources for the Biosphere Reserve team to bring in the voluntary sector to support provision in northern Devon." "Using the voluntary sector's community links and experience will make sure that walking for health opportunities reach those that really need them. This is what big society is all about!" There are Walking for Health Groups currently operating in Bideford and Holsworthy in Torridge, and South Molton, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Combe Martin in North Devon and all can benefit from this support. Transform and TTVS have received 18 month's grant funding from the North Devon AONB and Biosphere Service to enable the Groups to grow and reach more new walkers, and to set up new groups where there is demand.
To learn more about Walking for Health in North Devon and Torridge contact Transform (01271 867131) and TTVS (01805 625614) respectively. All the Group's walks programmes can be found at www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk/walkfinder

Snow on Snow -Time to pack an Emergency Kit

2010-12-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

Make Time for Winter,that's the message from the Highways Agency. You never know when you might need an Emergency Pack! It’s easy; just gather together the items below and pack in the car at the start of the winter season, leaving you concentrate on more immediate matters, like how you are going to get there…
Your emergency kit should include:
• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and spare batteries
• Warm clothes and a blanket
• Boots
• First aid kit
• Jump leads
• Mobile phone charger
• Food and a warm drink in a vacuum flask
• A shovel
• Reflective warning sign
• Road atlas
• Sunglasses (the glare off snow can be dazzling)
Don’t forget to take any personal medication too

For more handy tips when driving this winter visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter

Make time for Winter

Dartmoor ponies put to good use on charity's reserve near Torrington

2010-12-06T10:33:00.000-08:00

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has delivered five Dartmoor ponies to its Stapleton Mire nature reserve, near Torrington in north Devon with the aim of improving management of the site and giving the ponies a home for winter. The ponies are on loan from Mitchelcombe Farm near Holne on Dartmoor and will spend the next few months on the nine hectare Culm grassland site, one of DWT's many reserves in this part of the county. John French from Mitchelcombe Farm said: "We run a small business training our Dartmoor Heritage ponies for a future as safe children's ponies or driving ponies (http://www.mitchelcombefarm.co.uk/ ). Getting involved in vital schemes such as this enables us to over-winter our ponies off farm as they are growing up, whilst at the same time doing an important job for nature conservation. We hope they will settle in quickly here and do a great job for Devon Wildlife Trust. " The relationship has been brokered by Simon Berry who is Devon Wildlife Trust's Grazing Links Officer. Simon said: "This is just the latest in a series of livestock moves which we have successfully completed this year as part of our landscape scale Working Wetlands project. Stapleton Mire is a great site and home to a range of rare species but this habitat requires light grazing to keep it in tip-top condition. These five new ponies should have a great time and there is plenty of shelter for them in the woodland should the weather turn cold. We are always looking for more Culm grassland sites in need of grazing so people should feel free to get in touch if they need DWT's help."

The ponies arrived at their new home thanks to the support of Exeter based car dealership Vospers. The company has loaned a brand new Ford Ranger 4x4 for Mr Berry to use for delivering livestock and machinery. Rob Marchant from Vospers said: "Vospers is a company which is proud to support DWT.

We are pleased to be part of such great work supporting the Dartmoor Heritage Trust through DWT's Working Wetlands project."

Working Wetlands has been supported by the South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, GrantScape and Natural England.

Devon Wildlife Trust "Doves on Dartmoor" Charity Christmas Cards now on sale

2010-11-29T08:02:00.000-08:00

Charity's favourite Christmas doves return for another year Following the huge success of its Christmas cards last year, a local charity is preparing for a bumper season in 2010 with a new range of wildlife designs along with the return of a well-loved favourite. Devon Wildlife Trust's best seller which ran out last year was an image of Doves on Dartmoor taken by one of its volunteers. The charity has re-ordered the card so that people who missed out last year are not disappointed this time around. There are twelve designs in the new range which are available to order online, over the phone or by post. The designs include fox, squirrel, robin, horse, stag, and a number of beautiful wintery landscape shots. Phoebe Grubb, DWT's Fundraising Support Officer enthused: 'With Christmas looming fast we're hoping for another great year. Our card sales over the past five years have raised more than £10,000 for local conservation work. We would like to thank all the volunteers that have helped to sell and distribute cards throughout the county along with everyone who has bought the cards. Their help has made a significant difference to our work for wildlife.'
People who wish to purchase cards should visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244. The cards are also available through the Cards for Good Causes outlets across the county.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

Talent of North Devon’s local photographers is now on show at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

2010-11-24T11:55:00.000-08:00

Photo exhibition shows off local talent and the spectacular biodiversity in the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A stunning exhibition displaying the talents of North Devon’s local photographers is now on show at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon. ‘North Devon in Photographs’ highlights the unique character of the region and its artists, showcasing the very best entries from this year’s annual Heritage Photographic Competition. Well-known Bideford-based photographer, Graham Hobbs, selected the winners from over 500 entries. Gerry Davidson was declared the over all winner of the competition for his superb Town & Villages entry ‘Pasternoster Snow’. Graham Hobbs presented him with the perpetual cup and an engraved tankard. A separate competition was held for Under 16’s, which was won by 10 year old Robin Tanner who’s Character photograph ‘ The Old Chimney Sweep’ caught the judge’s eye. He was also presented with a special trophy. Once again the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership sponsored a special class, this time celebrating the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity. Naturalist and AONB Champion Trevor Beer, MBE, had the hard task of selecting the winners for this Wildlife category. Martha Mills image of a Common Lizard taken at Braunton Burrows gained 1st Place. Rose Day, Chairman of North Devon Coast AONB, was invited to attend the presentation and gave out the awards for this section. She says: “The standard of the entries was excellent, and highlights the depth of photographic talent that exists in North Devon. Graham and Trevor must have had a really difficult time in deciding who the eventual winners were to be.”

Gerry Davidson ‘Pasternoster Snow’

Winners of the open categories were:
Towns & Villages – Gerry Davidson
The Coast & The Sea – Keith Lowther
Characters – Mike Southon
Landscapes – Robin Mellor
Wildlife – Keith Trueman
Anything Goes! – Robin Mellor

Robin Tanner ‘ The Old Chimney Sweep’

Under 16’s category winners were:
Towns & Villages – Robin Tanner
The Coast and The Sea – Robin Tanner
Characters – Robin Tanner
Landscape – Alice Leaman
Wildlife – Robin Tanner
Anything Goes! – Robin Tanner
AONB special Wildlife category winner – Martha Mills

Alison Mills, Museum Development Manager says: “We are delighted with the response we received this year and I'd like to thank everyone for entering.” A full listing of awards can be found on www.devonmuseums.net/barnstaple.
The exhibition runs until Saturday, 8th January 2011. The Museum’s winter opening times are 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and admission is free

A poetic reminder about the importance of planning before you drive this season!

2010-11-18T07:13:00.000-08:00

A Winter's Tale

Twas a night before Christmas, and all through the land

Not a creature was stirring – their journey was planned

They’d made time for winter, their car was prepared

For the family journey: no need to be scared

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Christmas Day danced in their heads,

We would be visiting Grandpa and Ma

Presents all wrapped, in the boot of the car

Time for a rest, we’re leaving early next morn

I sat down by the fire – and stifled a yawn

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my doze to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

The blizzard was awful, his reindeer can’t fly

(a severe weather warning had closed down the sky!)

He must use the motorway, he’d heard they get busy

Poor Santa Claus was all of a tizzy.

So I sat the old fellow down in a fireside chair

And explained to him what I’d done to prepare.

As well as the presents, the car had inside

A shovel and ice scraper, for a less worrisome ride.

An emergency kit and stuff to keep ourselves warm,

Just in case we get stuck (though it’s out of the norm)

We’d topped up the anti-freeze, got de-icer as well

The battery was healthy for a cold winter spell

We’d checked over the tyres, the wipers and lights …

For a clear view ahead through dark, snowy nights

Santa said he’d prepared – no need to panic

Rudolph was rather a good sleigh mechanic!

He’d got plenty of warm clothing and a cosy white beard

But really the state of the traffic he feared!

Travelling hither and thither, in the dark and the snow

With so many people, would the going be slow?

So I switched on the website to show him the view

From motorway cameras – and traffic flow too

His eyes — how they twinkled! He could now see his way

To visit all children before Christmas Day

His journey was planned. His sleigh full of toys

Plenty of time to visit all girls and boys

He whistled to Rudolph and flew off in the night

and I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight

A Happy Christmas to all, where e’er you should roam

Make time for winter – and a safe journey home

For more handy tips when driving this winter, visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter

MAKE TIME FOR WINTER

Charity opens new chapter with reserves book

2010-11-12T10:15:00.000-08:00

A new book featuring some of Devon's top beauty spots has been released this month. Devon Wildlife Trust - Nature Reserves is the result of nearly 50 year's work by the charity caring for the county's environment. The new book offers portraits of 20 of Devon Wildlife Trust's most stunning nature reserves in every corner of the county. It uses beautiful landscape and wildlife photography - many of its pictures have never been seen before. The book's author and DWT's Communications Co-ordinator Stephen Hussey said: "Devon contains some of the most spectacular wildlife and wild places in the UK, Devon Wildlife Trust has the responsibility of caring for these. This book shows just what a special place our county is and the work that we do as a charity in looking after it." The book has been made possible thanks to sponsorship from South West Water. The company's Chief Executive, Chris Loughlin, said: "South West Water has supported the work of the Devon Wildlife Trust for many years, and it is a pleasure to sponsor this beautiful book celebrating some of our region's best-loved nature reserves."By working in partnership with organisations such as the Devon Wildlife Trust, we hope to play our part inpreserving and protecting the environment forfuture generations to enjoy." The book means there has never been a better time to become a member of Devon Wildlife Trust since every new member will receive the 100 page guide as part of their joining package. Membership of Devon Wildlife Trust costs from as little as £2 per month. People can join by visiting http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/ or calling DWT on 01392 279244.

Charity awards volunteers at AGM

2010-11-05T05:04:00.000-07:00

Volunteers from around Devon have received awards this month as part of Devon Wildlife Trust's Annual General Meeting. The awards were set up to celebrate local people who give their time to help wildlife. The event was held at The Watermark, Ivybridge on Saturday 30 October. Appropriately, this was national Make a Difference Day an annual celebration which is held each year and aims to promote the idea of volunteering to more people. Eight volunteers were given awards including Dan Best from Torbryan, Graham Curtis from Exmouth, David Fitter from Dolton, Paul Madgett from Braunton, Libby Ross from Whimple, Peter Smith from Exeter, Terry Ackland from Kingsteignton and Sandy Backus from Lustleigh. Dawn Lenn, DWT's Volunteers Officer said: "These volunteers have been singled out as shining examples of people that give their time freely and cheerfully to help with conservation work throughout the county. They give time regularly to help DWT in many ways from helping with DWT's website, fundraising, Local Groups, nature reserves and Wildlife Watch groups for children. The volunteers selected this year are just a handful of the hundreds of volunteers without whom the charity would not achieve so much as we do for Devon's wildlife." For more information about volunteering and how to get involved, visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Severn Sands - last passage through the Marshes

2010-10-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

After being tossed by stormy seas, the Severn Sands dredger has finally come to rest at Yelland. The massive hulk was originally docked at Fremington Quay in March 2007 and remained there until 2008 until it broke its moorings during storms, by January 2009 it had become a wreck beached beyond the Quay. This year it broke its moorings once again when exceptionally high tides flung it across the far side of the estuary where it settled on the riverbank at Heanton Court. The floundering wreck and it’s perilous cargo has put local shipping and the environment in jeopardy and the problems have been highlighted in the local news for some time. Last week, in an operation overseen by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the dredger was towed back across the estuary to the big old jetty at Yelland where it is planned to remove all hazardous materials and clean it up before it is safely dismantled. The hulk, pictured Sunday 10th October, is located, just off the Tarka Trail, in a peaceful, scenic spot beyond the RSPB nature reserve Isley Marsh. Isley Marsh is made up of saltmarsh and intertidal mudflats on the southern edge of the Taw Torridge estuary and lies largely within the estuary SSSI. It is an important haven in the busy estuary for undisturbed feeding and resting birds, especially the wintering flocks of ducks (such as teal) and waders (including significant numbers of curlew, greenshank and dunlin). In recent years, numbers of little egret have increased and, in winter, it is often possible to see spoonbills. NB. RSPB Isley Nature Reserve: Visitor access is restricted to public footpaths, largely outside the reserve itself, but allowing expansive views across the estuary and the surrounding farmland. There is no public parking within two miles, although the Tarka Trail runs along the south side of the reserve, allowing easy foot and cycle access along this former railway track. Click here to find RSPB Nature Reserves in Devon and Cornwall

Alongside "Severn Sands" photo copyright B. D. Adams

Click here to view more photos of the Severn Sands at Fremington Quay

In the Area and across the estuary Home Marsh Farm, Instow, Lower Yelland, Braunton Biosphere

View northdevonfocusyelland in a larger map

Championship weekend at South West Extreme

2010-08-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

North Devon's South West Extreme Centre was the stunning venue for the blue ribbon mountain bike event “The National Championships”. The two day event saw round five of the National Four Cross Series (NPS) and the UK's top riders including previous National Champions and professional riders Will Longden and Scott Beaumont were among those who competed. The course was built by International rider, Will Evans. This superb location, set on high ground above The Big Sheep at Abbotsham with panoramic views over Abbotsham Village, across to Greencliffe and the Kenwith Valley, was ideal for spectators who were able to watch the non-stop downhill racing from the high impact start to the finish line.

Will Longden racing for victory - photo P. Adams

The riders reached speeds of up to 35mph and tackled obstacles such as double and table tops jumps, a rocks garden, logs, steps, plus both flat and burned (banked corners). The track also features a 'Pro-line' on the final straight, with three massive 8-10m gaped jumps. An estimated 200 riders raced on Sunday 15th August for the National title in there respective categories: Juvenile, Youth, Junior, Masters, Veterans and the main pro event Senior.

High banks & Bikes - Scott Roberts, Natham Parsons- photo B. Adams

Racing formation - Tom Dowie, Steve Taylor, Pat Jenner-Campbell, Duncan Ferris photo B. Adams

A misty morning gave way to glorious sunshine which enhanced the relaxed, friendly family occasion, it was free entry for spectators and the High Ropes centre and climbing wall provided additional thrills and a more lofty view of the event for adults and kids alike. In between races, local caterers, Priors Fryers served up much needed refreshments including delicious chips, bacon rolls and burgers.


"Junior Celebrations" Alex Metcalfe, Tom Knight, Adam Thomas photo P. Adams

Click here for Southwest Extreme & the Ultimate High Centre - Click here for Big Sheep

Will Longden & Katy Curd are the 2010 National 4x Champions British Cycling News - For race results visit nakedracing.com

Nature reserves pick up boost from landfill tax

2010-08-19T08:09:00.000-07:00

A leading South West conservation charity has this month been awarded £10,000 to help fund work at two of its flagship nature reserves. The Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has been awarded the money by Pennon Environmental Fund. It will go towards conservation work at DWT's Old Sludge Beds nature reserve near Exeter and Halsdon nature reserve near Dolton in north Devon. The work at the reserve in Exeter will help fund new visitor information boards for the Old Sludge Beds which is a small 5 hectare wetland site adjacent to the River Exe. The work will also include installing new sections of boardwalk to help visitors get around the site more easily and a leaflet to describe all the wildlife which people will be able to see there. At the 57 hectare Halsdon site situated on the River Torridge, the money will go towards putting in new fencing along the 1 mile stretch of river edge. The fencing will prevent the cattle that graze the meadows from damaging the riverbank. The money will also help with extending the ponds adjoining the meadow. DWT will also be sowing green hay over an area of around 1 hectare to improve the biodiversity value of the grassland. Matt Boydell, DWT's Land Management Manager said: "This is a significant boost for us and will help us improve these important reserves in Exeter and North Devon. Managing nature reserves for the benefit of wildlife is an expensive business and we welcome this new funding that will allow us to add major upgrades to these hidden gems." For more information about these sites visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Halsdon Nature Reserve, near Dolton

Young trainees given chance to build new life in conservation

2010-08-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

A local wildlife charity is this month looking to recruit two young people to join its Estate Team. The team was established in 2009 with the aim of helping people find work in the field of conservation. The new trainees will join Devon Wildlife Trust's nature reserves officers for a minimum of six months. They will be provided with free accommodation at the charity's Woodah Farm in the Teign Valley. They will also receive a range of professional training such as first aid, chainsaw and brushcutter use, along with the other essentials skills required to become the estate workers of the future. Two of the recruits from last year have already found jobs in the sector following a year of intensive conservation work looking after the charity's nature reserves around the county. DWT's Edric Hopkinson who is looking after the new recruits said: "This scheme is a great way for young people with conservation qualifications, but without experience, to find a job with one of the region's conservation organisations. Being able to offer free accommodation has made it all the more appealing for them. They also provide essential help with the many jobs on Devon Wildlife Trust's reserves, keeping them in the best possible condition for wildlife." The project gained an extra boost this year thanks to a successful membership appeal along with £1000 raised by DWT's Halsdon Local Group. The money was used to offset the costs of providing the volunteer places.

The deadline for applications is 30 August. For more information about the posts visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Teddy Bears on Parade

2010-08-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

25th July. Teddy Bears on Marine Parade, Instow actually and what a colourful picture it made. All the dollies and teddies had been donated and were being sold to raise funds for Instow Church, so watch out for them when you visit Instow this summer. First on parade was the mad looking flame haired rag doll, I was happy to pay my £1, and "I called her Annabel".

Freedom at last - Annabel on Instow Beach

We had parked by the Tarka Trail behind the North Devon Cricket Club and walked through the sand dunes beside the old thatched Score Box. We heard the sound of leather on willow and “Oz that”. Cricket on a Sunday; so quintessentially British! The sand dunes here were covered in bell flowered Evening Primrose, wild celery, scurvy grass and sea mayweed. There were several black and yellow striped caterpillars camouflaged in the marram grass.

Enjoying new found freedom, Annabel at Woolsery Show 26th July 2010

North Devon Cricket Club, founded 186 years ago, was the home club of the late international test umpire David Shepherd.

Click here to see more pictures of Instow on the Taw/Torridge Estuary

"Don’t just drive. Discover" says the Highways Agency

2010-07-31T04:16:00.000-07:00

‘Are we nearly there yet?’ It is the dreaded question which will be heard in cars across the country as the summer holidays get into full swing, and which usually signals the tipping point for tempers. The journey to a holiday destination is often considered the final hurdle between holidaymakers and the break they’ve been looking forward to. But with 37 million people choosing to holiday at home last year, it seems the ‘staycation’ is here to stay. And that means those journeys, on holiday routes at peak times, are set to be even busier. Rather than driving you to distraction, the holiday journey could actually take you on a journey of discovery. England is crammed full of fun, fascinating and beautiful places to visit within easy reach of main roads, so it’s easy to break up your journey and turn it into an adventure. Stopping off en route is also a great way to avoid traffic congestion – and the ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ brigade. Using our simple travel tools you can plan a stop-off either before you set off or en route.

Visit highways.gov.uk/traffic to check traffic conditions
Tune into DAB Traffic Radio
Download the Highways Agency iphone app for live traffic information
Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/holidayroutes
Check your route on http://www.transportdirect.info/

And to make sure your adventure is a safe one:

Ensure your vehicle is serviced and ready for the journey
Check screen wash and tyre pressures including caravans and trailers
Don’t overload a roof rack or bike rack. Ensure you firmly secure it
Sun glare can be hazardous for driving. Take a good pair of sunglasses
Travel prepared for delays by having an emergency kit including a map, warning triangle, fluorescent jackets, first-aid kit, relevant medication, food, water and warm/waterproof clothing
Take regular breaks on long journeys

The Highways Agency is responsible for England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Department for Transport. For more summer driving tips please visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/summer

Mobile Website & iPhone App: You can view our website from your mobile at www.highways.gov.uk/mobile For more information on our iPhone app visit: www.highways.gov.uk/iphone REMEMBER never use your mobile whilst driving.


CLICK HERE to visit the Highways Agency web site

Culm Advisory Group witnesses progress at grassland demonstration farm

2010-07-14T03:07:00.000-07:00

Devon Wildlife Trust this month invited the members of the Culm Advisory Group to see the progress of the restoration of wildflower rich meadows at its Dunsdon Demonstration Farm near Holsworthy. The group which is made up of staff from Natural England, The Environment Agency, Westcountry Rivers Trust, DWT and FWAG spent the morning at the charity's Working Wetlands Project office at Cookworthy discussing the issues that have arisen over the past six months relating to the management of Culm grassland in North Devon. In the afternoon the group was taken to the demonstration farm where they were able to witness the progress of the series of fields which have been restored from improved grassland back to species rich meadows. The process has been funded by Natural England through the Special Projects scheme within Higher Level Stewardship and has included all the new fencing, gates and hedgebanks that have also been re-created. Devon Wildlife Trust's Becky Aston, who has been overseeing the project, said: "It was great to be able to show off the Working Wetlands demonstration farm which has been coming on leaps as bounds since we did the initial soil testing and stripping back in 2008. This was the ideal time to bring members of the various agencies that have an interest in Culm grassland to show how the pioneering techniques have been employed at the site which is owned by a local landowner. The site was chosen as it lies between two sections of DWT's Dunsdon National Nature reserve and the work will help rare species moves through the area making it more robust. Following the soil stripping we sowed a range of wildflowers and grasses including oxeye daisy, birdsfoot trefoil and ragged robin and we have been pleased with the range of species that have flowered this year." One of the group which attended the day, Rob Dixon from Natural England said: "We were all very impressed with how the sown sward has taken - a great improvement on what was there before. This is a good example of what can be achieved through Higher Level Stewardship, with our two organisations working together and with a committed agreement holder who is keen to improve the environmental value of his holding in this very important area." Working Wetlands has been supported by the Tubney Charitable Trust, South West Water, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, Grantscape and Natural England. Photo: Dunsdon demonstration farm copyright DWT

Culm Advisory Group witnesses progress at grassland demonstration farm (Ref: DWT 13 July 2010)

Landing facilities delay Severn Link service between Ilfracombe and Swansea

2010-06-10T05:26:00.000-07:00

Due to the delay in establishing landing facilities and an overnight lay-over berth in Swansea, original plans to commence services for the Severn Link Ferry in the spring of 2010 have now been postponed. Geoff Metcalf, Managing Director of Severn Link said, “This is bitterly disappointing but, unfortunately out of our control. Although both ferries are up and running and have undertaken sea-trials without appropriate landing facilities we clearly cannot operate or be granted a full licence by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Services are set to run between Ilfracombe and Swansea and, following the unprecedented level of interest, planning for further services between Cardiff / Penarth, Ilfracombe and Minehead is well underway. But no services can run until appropriate, MCA approved landing facilities and an overnight lay-over berth, which acts as the company’s official operating point, have been completed at Swansea. Geoff Metcalf said, “The council are working closely with Severn Link to ensure some landing facilities will be available to launch the service, although not exclusively to Severn Link, but as part of their overall development plans. Severn Link would like to thank Swansea City Council for their ongoing support. We have been offered a temporary berth from August, but this is so late in the season, that by the time the MCA have had chance to do their final checks and we’ve run our trials from this point, we will be well into the autumn. So, while it is possible that we may be able to run some limited trial services it is with huge regret that we will have to postpone the full launch until next year.” Assuming that permanent facilities will be made available by early next year, it is therefore likely that both the Swansea-Ilfracombe and other routes will launch at the same time. Geoff continued, “We’ve had a remarkable response from the public and from businesses on both sides of the channel. We would like to thank everyone for their enormous support and enthusiasm and assure you that we are all working as hard as we can to bring even a limited or restricted service to fruition as soon as possible. In the meantime, we’re continuing to work with investors, local authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government to put into place the necessary inshore infrastructure at Swansea and on the other projected routes so we can run a fully comprehensive service in 2011.”

Devon School Names the Severn Link Ferry

2010-05-11T03:22:00.000-07:00

When ferry operator Severn Link recently purchased its first two 'FlyingCat' fast ferries, there was just one thing that was missing - brand new names to reflect the vessels' new ownership and the area they would now be servicing. So, for a helping hand in finding just the right name, Severn Link turned to the bright and creative minds of youngsters from North Devon and South Wales.Entries came in from schools from all over both regions, with clever suggestions inspired by local heroes, historical events and even wildlife and fauna found in the area - but eventually it was Parracombe School in the heart of Exmoor, which was chosen as overall regional winner for South West England by nominating the Ilfracombe cove Rapparee as its chosen name. Geoff Metcalf, Managing Director of Severn Link, said of the winning entry, "We had so many exciting and imaginative names suggested by schools that it was very hard to choose an overall winner. However, the children of Parracombe School particularly excelled - patently putting much thought and research into their entry. It's a perfect name for a Severn Link ferry, for it helps promote one of the many beautiful points of the North Devon coastline, which will be one of the biggest draws for travellers coming from South Wales." Mrs Julie Ansell, Key Stage Two teacher at Parracombe School said, 'The children are absolutely thrilled that their name was chosen to be adopted by the Severn Link ferry. Being such a small school, it means that each child's needs are catered for and children are nurtured in a happy, family centred environment with a creative curriculum. That's why we were able to adapt our learning towards historical places and places of interest for the competition. The children went on walks, discovered local information, wrote stories and poems and created artwork to support the entry for the competition. The children drew tr easure maps, wrote poems and even combined the competition into their Maths lessons by using it to learn about points of the compass.' As part of their prize, the children of Parracombe School will be invited to a special Severn Link launch event to see the ferry for themselves and will also experience a ferry trip to visit the winning school on the South Wales side which has named the sister Severn Link fast ferry, to learn more about life in Wales and commence a local cultural and educational twinning exercise. Parracombe School, which is part of the West Exmoor Federation, is a small rural village school in Exmoor dating back to 1830, with just 29 schoolchildren in attendance. It's an integral part of the local community, serving the farming families of the area and participating in many local activities such as the May Day Revels. Geoff Metcalf said of the ferry naming competition, 'The objective of the competition was not only to get local children involved in the naming of the ferries that they'll see out on the waters of the Bristol Channel on a regular basis, but also to help them learn more about the connections between South West England and South Wales. Severn Link isn't just concerned with transporting travellers from coast to coast on a fun, fast and affordable ferry service, but is also about helping to bring two communities closer, socially, culturally and economically. We're looking forward to welcoming the children of Parracombe School on board to help them experience how exciting - and educational - ferry travel can be.' Severn Link is due to commence operations across the Bristol Channel this spring, connecting key areas of South West England and South Wales via a regular fast ferry service. For more information on the countdown to the launch of the ferry service, visit www.severnlink.com or follow Severn Link on Facebook and Twitter.

Second ferry for Severn Link - FastCat Ryde’ to join sister ship

2010-05-08T06:16:00.000-07:00

Ferry operator Severn Link has completed the two vessel deal with ferry operator Wightlink, taking ownership of the ‘FastCat Ryde’ which will service routes across the Bristol Channel as from this year. The 34 knot Kvaerner ‘FlyingCat’ passenger catamaran, which carries up to 360 passengers, has now undergone exterior renovations and repaint and will shortly join its sister ship, the former ‘FastCat Shanklin’, in Swansea, paving the way for the first modern regular ferry service to link the shores of North Devon and South Wales due to commence this spring. The first ferry, which is currently completing an extensive interior refit in the docks at Swansea’s SA1, has been the focus of much public interest, with crowds of people turning out earlier this year to watch it make a brief appearance at Ilfracombe on its way from Portsmouth to its new home in Swansea. The completion of the purchase of the second vessel signals a landmark moment for Severn Link, which is now finalising a series of routes to roll out through 2010. Geoff Metcalf, Managing Director of Severn Link, said, “We are very happy to shortly be able to introduce the second ‘FlyingCat’ to her new home in South Wales. This is the next major step in being able to commence regular Bristol Channel crossings with a fun, fast and affordable ferry service which will make travelling from the South West of England to South Wales much easier than ever before.”
Severn Link is currently on the countdown to announce a launch date for the first route to cross from Ilfracombe to South Wales. Schedules, pricing and booking information will shortly be available on www.severnlink.com and through its online Facebook and Twitter channels.

Heating up down Peppercombe.

2010-04-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

Spring is busting out all over! Peppercombe 17th April 2010. Warm, sultry with just a slight breeze, hazy blue sky. Welcome sight of a lone swallow on the Horns Cross telephone wire. On the walk down saw two Peacock butterflies each one settling for a while on the track, soaking up the sunshine. Also saw three bumble bees, one Orange Tip which was too flighty to photograph and an Orange Tip Butterfly, both a Large White and Small White butterfly, two twittering, flirty coal tits and a Blackbird. The white cotton-wool like fluff high on the coast path is flowering blackthorn which is often mistaken for Hawthorne. Blackthorne always flowers earlier and unlike Hawthorne (May Flower) it flowers before the leaves are formed. Good to see the meadows are now dotted with an abundance of lesser celandine and primroses. Other wild flowers making a first appearance include Greater Stitchwart, Wood Sorrel, Wild Strawberry, Ground Ivy, White Hairy Bitter-cress, Red Campion, Alexander, Daisy, Dandelion, Dog Violets and Daffodils. As usual I took a picture of the first budding Ransom (wild garlic) which will soon be accompanied by hundreds on the banks and beside the trail. In the next couple of weeks their pungent smell will permeate the air.

Swallows and waterfalls

2010-04-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

Nice to know that whilst the world's airlines remain grounded due to the Icelandic Volcano, those brave little swallows have still managed to make their epic journey from the other side of the ocean to arrive safely in North Devon. Isn't nature wonderful!
I spotted the first lone swallow on the telegraph wire at Horns Cross on the 17th April. Regular as clockwork I made a note in my diary last year and the first wave was also dated 17th April. I was delighted to see that there were larger numbers up the coast at Spekes Mill Mouth on Sunday 18th, about 30 could be seen swooping and swirling up above the cliffs and over the waterfall. I also saw a Kestrel hovering on the wind.
By the 19th the numbers on the Horns Cross wire had swelled to 6. I am now on the lookout for the swifts and house martins, the house martins tend to send an advanced party round about the 24th April each year. Let us know if you see them in your area.

Peppercombe - Barely Spring

2010-04-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

Barely Spring Greens. Peppercombe Valley 27th March. Bee, beetle and a buzzard and that’s about all. The long, long March into April and at last Peppercombe is juddering to life as spring greens begin to emerge. Spring greens include the fresh leafy spikes of Alexanders, wild Bluebells, Lesser Celandine, Primroses, Foxgloves, Dogs Mercury, Ransoms and Spring Beauty. There are swathes of yellow flowering, creeping pimpernel (?), a low growing plant which loves the damp ground where the winter rains spill down the gutter at the side of the track creating a mini stream. I saw one bee and the resident buzzard did a fly-by, the busy beetle, pictured, was doing a circuit of its own mini arena as I approached then scurried down the bolthole. Still only a couple of posies of primroses on the way down and very low growth on the Alexanders which at this time last year were tall and in flower as were the daffodils by the Pink cottage and under the red beech. Most noticeable is the emptiness on the cliff bank beside the bungalow, only five groups of primroses in bloom today. I miss the golden gorse which was once very prevalent here, only a couple of bushes remain. The gorse made the perfect frame for the picture of the bungalow which was taken on 21st April last year. The catkins are now in abundance, there are new leaves on the honeysuckle and pussy willow is in various stages of growth

Big Garden Bird Watch 2010 Results

2010-04-03T06:02:00.000-07:00

It's Official small birds struggled to beat the snowy winter

Nearly 530,000 people took part in Big Garden Birdwatch 2010 and counted over 8 and a half million birds. The RSPB celebrated last year with the arrival of long-tailed tits in the top 10 for the first time, suggesting they were getting used to feeding on seeds and peanuts in hanging feeders and on bird tables. However, smaller bodied birds are particularly susceptible to the cold, having to eat almost continuously to stay alive, so they were very keen to get your counts and see just how the bad weather at the start of the year affected bird populations. As predicted, birds like the long-tailed tit, coal tit and goldcrest were the worst affected, with average numbers of all three species dropping significantly since the 2009 survey.
Country birds get in on the count
The weather was also responsible for many more sightings of countryside birds like fieldfares, redwings, bullfinches and yellowhammers in gardens. More usually found in fields and farmland trees and hedgerows, these birds visit our gardens for food when they can't find enough in their usual haunts. Other members of the thrush family, including song thrushes, mistle thrushes and blackbirds, were seen in much higher numbers this year, also looking for food. An unusually high number of blackcaps were also seen. In this harsher winter we might have expected their numbers to decline, but more blackcaps than usual were discovered on bird tables. Just like the long-tailed tit, this suggests that blackcaps are adapting their feeding behaviour to take advantage of bird tables and feeders, and therefore becoming more visible in gardens.

Still in decline
Although the RSPB were particularly concerned for small birds this cold and snowy winter, some of our most familiar garden birds have also continued to suffer huge declines. House sparrows might have retained top spot for the seventh year running, but in the last five years alone these chirpy birds have declined by 17%. Blackbirds rose from third to second place, while starlings dropped to third - the first time they have been out of the top two in more than 10 years.

The 2010 Big Garden Birdwatch top 10; Position Species Average per garden
1 house sparrow 3.77

2 blackbird 3.28
3 starling 3.13
4 blue tit 2.58
5 chaffinch 2.19
6 woodpigeon 1.91
7 robin 1.49
8 great tit 1.39
9 collared dove 1.33
10 goldfinch 1.29

Related Article North Devon Snow Party is Over & Big Garden Bird Watch results 2009

Ilfracombe, in the sunshine & out of season

2010-03-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Ilfracombe and Around 7th March
The sun has come out at last so an early start meant that time and tide were on our side as there was still plenty of water in Ilfracombe Harbour. The sunny photos here belie the fact that overnight temperatures dropped to minus 9. This beautiful Victorian resort with its grand villas and terraces was indeed bathed in sunshine so it is hard to believe that we are still in the grip of one of the longest cold spells. In the sunshine and out of season, Ilfracombe Harbour still poses a picturesque vista despite a couple of the buildings undergoing a pre-season paint job. In a month's time the boats, now in dry dock on the quayside, will be bobbing side by side in the harbour and the Ilfracombe Princess will resume its popular wildlife coastal tours. The “working” side of the harbour is strewn with fishing nets and lobster pots,
boatmen are busy giving their crafts the once-over and there is a pervading smell of fish and ships varnish. High

above the pier sitting atop Lantern Hill is St, Nicholas’ Chapel, said to be the oldest building in Ilfracombe. This natural harbour sits amongst spectacular cliffs and coves nestling between the Exmoor National Park to the East and North Devon’s Gold Coast to the West. In June the town celebrates its Victorian heritage with “Victorian Week” an eight day extravaganza of shows, parades, stalls and dressing up culminating in the town criers competition and the “Last Night of The Proms” with

fireworks to music over Capstone Hill. Ilfracombe is also renowned for its award winning floral displays which adorn the streets and promenade, by the summer the newly planted flowers beside the Bandstand will be in full bloom. The conicle shape in the background is the Landmark Theatre and Cafe, the Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre is located here on the seafront,
Places to Visit: Ilfracombe Aquarium, Ilfracombe Museum, Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station, Chocolate Emporium, The Tunnels, The Landmark Theatre & Cafe, Chambercombe Manor, Torrs Walk, boat trips to Lundy Island, Ilfracombe Wildlife Cruises. Photos copyright Pat Adams all rights reserved

Peppercombe - Hanging around waiting for Spring

2010-02-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

Peppercombe 10th February. Fair-weather, at last, so a chance to catch up on life in the Peppercombe Valley. Birds chirping and twittering, spot a tiny coal tit in the trees. As I reach the bridge a pheasant crosses the trail then takes off squawking and flapping noisily taking cover in the trees. Cut off from his mate now, who is on the other side of the track, they continue to call back and forth to each other. I also spotted cute little wren, two robins and two great tits. It would be so nice to recognise the birds from the sound of their tweets. Spring seems to be coming much later than 2009 and the catkins are sparse mainly because the trees/hedges have been cut back. Early risers include snowdrops, the flowers not fully open, in their usual spot, one lesser celandine flowering in a sheltered sunny hideout by the fork. There are, however, plenty of interesting lichens/moss and fungi including the colourful red Pixie cup. In 2009 there were several of them peeking out of the undergrowth on the high banks. I spot the first flowering primroses on the high bank by the Bungalow, just three clumps so far. It's a good clear day, at last, sunny with blue skies. From the top of the coastpath steps Clovelly is lit up and Lundy so clear I could see the fields on the top of the island. There was a yacht in the Bay, a tiny speck offshore. The ancient trees seem to be depleted year by year after winter storms but the broken branches lie where they fall and become home to the many woodland plants, mosses/liverworts and rusty lichens.

The North Devon Snow Party's over!

2010-01-18T10:50:00.000-08:00

The North Devon’s snow party is finally over. In December 2009 there was a cold snap and snow flurries ensuring the UK enjoyed that elusive White Christmas. At the beginning of January a winter flock of lapwings on the field heralded the start of what was to be the coldest and longest snow spell for years bringing treacherous conditions on the minor roads in North Devon coast and country areas. (The last time we experienced such extreme arctic conditions was when we were snowbound in Croyde in the early eighties, our first ever winter in North Devon.) School children were thrilled to be home building snowmen but it was a testing time for local services and those not able to go out for the duration. Congratulations are due to our rural postman who braved blizzard conditions to keep the Royal Mail coming. This was also a time to keep watch on the local bird population as feeding stations were even more vital. Taking advantage of the nuts and seeds on our garden bird feeder were, in various numbers, robin, chaffinch, greenfinch, pied wagtail, house sparrow, dunnock, blue tit, blackbird, willow tit, great tit, mistle thrush, collared dove, field fare, squabbling starlings and for the first time a stunning bull finch. Rising temperatures and gale force winds on the 15th January marked the end of the winter wonderland. By the 16th January the last traces of the children’s snowmen, built on the 5^thJanuary were washed away by torrential rains. On the 17th January the field became a vital feeding ground for a flock of approximately 30 fieldfare. Ominously by Monday 18th January, the field is visited once again by an ever larger flock of between 141 and 150 lapwings. It will be interesting to see which birds hang around for the Big Garden Bird Watch, the RSPB's biggest event of the year which will be held over the weekend 30 and 31 January and encourages people all over the country to count the birds in their garden for just an hour over this one weekend. It's very simple to take part and provides the RSPB with information and patterns in bird numbers that help them prioritise their conservation work. They are also celebrating Big Garden Birdwatch with a special promotional incentive to join the RSPB - new members joining between 19 January and 31 March can choose a FREE RSPB classic apex nest box (normally £11.99) as their free joining gift. Join the RSPB today

Big Garden Birdwatch Results for 2009. According to the RSPB for the first time in the survey's 30-year history, the long-tailed tit has flown into the Big Garden Birdwatch top ten. This highly sociable species increased by an astonishing 88% from last years count. They believe this pleasant increase is because this insect-eating bird has adapted to feeding on seeds and peanuts at birdtables and from hanging feeders. This result highlights perfectly the positive impact that our feeding and bird care can have on some birds. Record-breaking celebration. Well over half a million people celebrated the 30th year of the Birdwatch, making this the biggest bird survey in the world. A huge increase from humble beginnings in 1979 when just 30,000 children took part. Big Garden Birdwatch 2009 was held on 24 and 25th January 2009.

BIRDS ON TOP: The 2009 garden top ten:

Position Species Average per garden

1 House Sparrow 3.70

2 Starling 3.21

3 Blackbird 2.84

4 Blue tit 2.45

5 Chaffinch 2.01

6 Wood Pigeon 1.85
7 Collared Dove 1.44

8 Great tit 1.40

9 Robin 1.36

10 Long-tailed tit 1.34

Bideford Bay Beachcombing

2010-01-13T06:34:00.000-08:00

Wind Chill Factor Westward Ho! -3rd January 2010. All photos,articles copyright P. M. Adams North Devon Focus all rights reserved. It’s freezing cold but dry and sunny so perfect for a New Year stroll on the beach at Westward Ho! At the slipway we move aside for three horse riders taking advantage of the two mile stretch of firm sand and a rare opportunity to enjoy an uninterrupted gallop. The tide is a long way out thus exposing the hulk of one, of two, rarely visible Westward Ho! wrecks. Took some photos from different angles but my hands were so numb with the cold that I couldn’t actually feel the shutter button. As I was testing a new lens, I decided to take close up shots and made my way up the beach, head down searching for interesting sand formations, sea creatures, seaweed, shells and pebbles on the lower and middle shoreline moving towards the strandline and the Pebble Ridge. Even after recent storms this is a wonderful clean beach worthy of its’ Blue Flag status. We spent about an hour beachcombing and saw plenty of razor shells, periwinkles, whelks, mussels, tiny crabs and other crustaceans, kelp, wrack, sea urchins and lots of sea potatoes. Sea pototoes or heart-urchins are, weirdly, heart-shaped and covered in fur! They are normally hidden beneath the sand and only appear on the surface when washed up after stormy weather. Suddenly the noise of the wind and crashing surf was completely drowned out by the loud thundering hooves of the horses as they galloped back down the beach from Sandymere. Only three horses, but the sound carried some distance so one can only imagine the sound of the 500 horses in the Charge of the Light Brigade. The beach is still practically deserted, a few dog walkers, one lone hardy surfer and one kite buggy circling far off beside the sand dunes. Northam Burrows Country Park is beyond the Pebble Ridge at Westward Ho! on the Atlantic Heritage Coast. The Northam Burrows Country Park, at the mouth of the Taw Torridge Estuary, is a designated site of scientific interest and forms part of the United Nations Biosphere Reserve. If you can identify any of the shorelife in these pictures please let us know.

Peppercombe Chronicles

2010-01-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

Peppercombe Valley - 1st January 2010
Photographs and articles copyright Pat Adams (all rights reserved)
A stroll down to the old stables and back to see what’s new in Peppercombe Valley. It’s dark, cold and lifeless, or is it? (Note to myself not to wear fingerless gloves.) There is quite a bit of ground frost but hidden underneath are definite signs of plant growth including the huge pale green leaves of a Foxglove, fresh green moss, lichens, algae and fungus. The frost covered ivy makes an interesting winter picture. The only sounds are the cackle of a pheasant and the fast running stream. The birds are particularly active and it’s good to see a robin, blackbird and willow tit flitting back and forth across the track. I am passed by several groups of walkers and families offering friendly New Year Greetings. Easy to see which direction one party had come from as they were covered from toe to knee in the thick red Portledge mud. Water cascades down and under the bridge by the Pink Cottage and by the old beech trees. Spring Beauty leaves are frost bitten but visible on the grass verge opposite the old stables. Down by the meadows the first yellow buds of a lone common gorse bush make an early outing and two buzzards swirl and swoop on the wind aloft. It’s quite muddy on the track beside the meadows by the South West Coast Path steps. Looking back up from here the tree tops are bathed in golden sunlight in stark contrast to the gloomy valley below. My attention is drawn to the colourful ivy clad branch covered in grey and rusty lichens. As I make my way back a tiny Robin is tree hopping ahead of me, always keeping tantalisingly out of focus. Took picture anyway but its amazing how small a robin looks in a woodland setting as opposed to the garden. Back at the top blue skies as the sun emerges at last bathing the knarled branches of the old leafless trees in umber hues. Finally caught sight of another Robin and three blue tits in the hedgerows as I reach the final stretch of the trail.

Rosemoor Scents and Sensibility

2009-07-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

27th June
Glorious day so we had breakfast in the garden with the family then off to RHS Rosemoor near Torrington. The brochure promises you will be “spellbound by the spectacular display of 2,000 roses to stir your senses”. Well this magical garden lived up to all expectations. It was a hot and sultry June day perfect time of the year to see those famous roses in all their stunning glory. We were given a map at the entrance and proceeded to take a “tour” around the garden donated to the RHS by Lady Anne Berry in 1988. We set off along the winding path beside the wild flower meadow, towards Rosemoor House. Along the way we saw the Stream Garden and Rock Gully, the Mediterranean Garden and Stone Garden. Rosemoor House, a delightful period property has now been converted to luxury apartments. The Wisteria Room, aptly named, is open for tea and coffee. We continued to explore Lady Ann’s original gardens then sauntered back up the long sweeping lawn eventually arriving at an incredibly picturesque olde English Cottage Garden with a thatched shelter. An abundance of traditional English flowers, climbers, shrub roses and flowering bushes bordered the winding circular paths. Rosemoor is now licensed to hold Civil Weddings and Civil Partnership Ceremonies so this area makes for a truly romantic setting, the perfect backdrop for those important wedding photographs. From here one picture perfect garden followed another as we strolled through the formal borders. We were met with an explosion of colour and fragrance as we finally reached the Queen Mother’s Rose Garden. After tea and cakes in the Restaurant we continued to explore the Bog Garden, the Stream and the Lake, a tranquil place where damsel flies danced above and upon the water lillies. Nestling in a sheltered wooded valley, the garden covers 65 acres in all including the Arboretum and surrounding woodland. There is much to see so you really need to make a day of it. A new attraction for 2009 is “The Brash” a pretty picnic area on the edge of the woods where the kids can have a fun time spotting birds and learning about beetles and badgers. There are events running throughout the year including Family Fun Days in August. The layout and easy access makes it enjoyable for all, there are lots of benches in strategic places for those wishing to take a breather or merely admire the view. Wheelchair Access: Steps are clearly labelled on the Map. Elsewhere some gentle slopes may be encountered and surfaces could be soft in wet weather.
Photos copyright Pat Adams All rights reserved Click here to see more Rosemoor Garden Photos on our main site

Peppercombe Light & Shade

2009-07-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

24th June 2009
Midsummer and the swifts are soaring above the lane by the Coach and Horses.The vegetation either side of the Peppercombe trail is now at its fullest. At the start of the track the hedge is at least seven foot high with black bryony, flowering dog roses and honeysuckle climbing upwards through the leafy hedgerow. The verges now crammed with massive hogweed, thistle, red campion, foxgloves and sorrel spiking up from low lying buttercups and clover. The leaves on the ancient trees are now fully formed creating a canopy over the valley. Compared to Springtime the trail down is now in shade except for the occasional sunlit patches where wonky foxgloves bend over instead of upwards probing for the light. The massive fungus, pictured, was high up in an ivy clad tree. By the pink cottage rhododendrons are in flower but the stream by the bridge has all but dried up. Further on down past the old stables, the huge bank by the wooden bungalow is now full of ferns. This area was carpeted by primroses in March and April followed by bluebells in May. In the past donkeys and ponies have grazed in the upper and lower meadows and this year’s summer visitors, the Belted Galloway cattle, have settled into Peppercombe Meadows, under the coast path. Pathways and glades are opened up as a result of them grazing allowing a much greater range of grasses and wild flowers to emerge in Spring and Summer. The dung left behind benefits beetles and other insects which in turn provides a source of food for birds. The cattle were chosen because they are extremely hardy and have a “generally docile nature”. While I was there they didn’t lift their heads up and continued grazing quietly so keep to the path and they won’t even notice you. Read the sign, keep dogs on the lead and shut the gate. Ferns seem to be in abundance at the further end by the steps but the rest as usual full of wild flowers and grasses. In earlier years this site had a large number of big old gorse bushes which were home to many spiders. I arrived down at the beach in glorious sunshine and was greeted by a couple of blokes sitting on the cobbles who, on seeing the camera, pointed out a seal bobbing off-shore. The black blob didn’t hang around. The only other life forms were three gulls and the elderly couple I had spoken to earlier who were on their way to Portledge the hard way. After a very slow descent down the steep cliff path they now began to traverse the cobbles, explorer style, with walking poles. In contrast a more nimble pair scampered down with nets aloft ready for shrimping. Clear blue sky and still blue sea so there was excellent light over Clovelly and Hartland Point to the left and Portledge meadows above the red cliffs to the right. Beyond Portledge the South West Coastal Path leads to Abbotsham Cliffs and Westward Ho!. Below the path, the lower cliff is clad in heather with new shoots so this will make for a colourful August. I have been taken photographs of Peppercombe Beach, Peppercombe Valley and its wild flowers for many years so please visit my web site to see more Peppercombe Seasons. There is a good hike along the South West Coast Path from Peppercombe to Bucks Mills. The most colourful time for this in May when the woods are full of bluebells. Photos copyright Pat Adams

Time out at Tamar Otter Sanctuary

2009-06-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

I thought it was high time I got a photo of an otter considering my site, the North Devon Focus is all about the coast and countryside around Bideford Bay and the Torridge River which of course is most famous for being the location for Henry Williamson's novel "Tarka the Otter". Henry Williamson was inspired to write the novel when living in Georgeham a tiny village near Croyde Bay, now famous for it's glorious sandy beach and surfing. I know it's cheating but Otters are elusive and in all the years I have lived in North Devon I have never seen one on the river, so I headed out to see them up close at the Tamar Otter Sanctuary which is located at North Petherwin, Cornwall just over the Devon border. The centre is in a beautiful location and includes landscaped ponds in varying sizes for both British and Asian Short Clawed Otters. There are waterfowl lakes, owl aviaries, a nature walk and woodland walk. The most tranquil place was a spot by the old Quarry and waterfall within the woodland enclosure where Fallow Deer and Wallabies and smaller critters roam the grounds. Although I was looking forward to getting shots of the otters I was also delighted by the number and varied species of owls and waterfowl, many with tiny fluffy babies. The spectacular peacocks paraded around us in true carnival style. I shall be including a focus on the visit and more pictures on my main web site so check back for updates. Photos: Copyright Brett and Pat Adams