Wildlife Festival comes to North Devon

A local charity is inviting people to come and take part in Devon's largest annual celebration of the county's wildlife. Devon Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Festival is taking place in Barnstaple on Saturday 10 May between 10am and 4pm. The free event is being held at The Square and is promising visitors a really wild day out! The Wildlife Festival is now in its eighth successful year. In 2013 it drew more than 12,000 visitors when it was held in Plymouth and organisers hope that the people of North Devon will show similar support. The event was last staged in Barnstaple in 2011. Jo Pullin Devon Wildlife Trust's event organiser said: "We're delighted to be returning to Barnstaple. Local people always show their support for us and their passion for local wildlife. The 2014 festival promises to be the best yet. It will be a special mix of things to see and things to do, all centred upon Devon's beautiful nature." The festival will give visitors the chance to get up close to beautiful birds of prey courtesy of Hawk Walks. There will also be a chance to encounter bats, and a host of minibeasts courtesy of Exmoor Zoo. Other attractions will include a 'cinema bus' showing wildlife films, a storyteller, face painters, stilt walkers and even an underwater robot. The festival will be staged in a series of marquees ensuring that visitors can enjoy the event whatever the weather. The 2014 Wildlife Festival is being sponsored by South West Water. Staff from the company will be at the event to dispense giveaways and advice on water use. Alan Hyde from South West Water said: "South West Water is delighted to support the work of the Devon Wildlife Trust. We take pride in the improvements we've made to the quality of our bathing waters and rivers and we work closely with DWT on their Working Wetlands project to improve water storage and quality in the environment. We look forward to continuing this relationship for many years to come." Devon Wildlife Trust's Jo Pullin was keen to highlight the practical elements of the festival: "It's about getting hands on and doing things for local wildlife. On the day people will be able to make a nest box, design badges, take part in crafts and get their face painted. It's a great day out and there's no charge for entry." The 2014 Wildlife Festival will have a marine theme, acknowledging the special marine wildlife that North Devon is famed for. Jo explained: "We especially want people to come and help us celebrate their marine natural heritage. In preparation for the festival we've established a Starfish Trail. Visitors to the town can now hunt for a series of wonderful starfish designs made by local school children. Each of the starfish has been placed in local shops and other venues. We're setting people the task of finding all twelve starfish to complete the Trail. On the day we'll also be joined by an artist with whom visitors will be able to help construct a giant starfish. It's a bit of fun but it also demonstrates the wide community support we're getting for this event from local businesses and families." Local organisation Bid Barnstaple (Business Improvement District) is supporting the event helping fund its Starfish Trail. Dane Stanley, Chairman of Bid Barnstaple said: "Bid Barnstaple is pleased to be involved with the Devon Wildlife Festival for what is their second visit to the town centre. Support for the event has grown even more this time, with BID businesses getting involved with the starfish trail. We are all looking forward to the main event on The Square on May 10th which we are sure will be popular with all ages." Devon Wildlife Trust hopes that many of its 32,000 supporters will turn out on the day. But Jo added: "It's also a chance for us to meet people who are not already our supporters and for us to show them how they can help to make a world of difference to their local wildlife." For more information about Devon Wildlife Trust's 2014 Wildlife Festival can be found at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Giant wildlife stilt walkers will again feature as part of Devon Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Festival in Barnstaple. Photo copyright Kevin New (All Rights Reserved)