JULY HIGHLIGHTS. A celebration of traditional Coast and Countryside events.

It's certainly heating up, such great weather, a little sunshine and blue skies really do enhance our towns, villages and of course our glorious North Devon Coast and Countryside. Perfect for a walk on the beach, a trek on the South West Coast Path or a wander over Exmoor. Time for Roses and a picnic in the park. The birds have certainly been making the most of the early Spring and after the first fledglings left the nests in May, some are already brooding or nest-building again so check before getting out that noisy hedge trimmer. This is also time when I finally see our little hedgehog family, they visit at night and always enjoy the peanuts I leave at the door. July is traditionally the time to celebrate all things Maritime. Fun-filled festivals and regattas with a host of madcap events. You can watch Birdmen hurling themselves off Ilfracombe Pier, Bunjee jumpers hurling themselves off the Torridge Bridge, wobbly walkers hurling themselves off greasy poles at Appledore while pirates, mermaids and shanty singers will dodge the throng on the cobbled quay down along Clovelly. This action packed month will end with a "Call to the Hounds" at the Woolsery Agricultural Show and a little of what you fancy does you good ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’ and a Pimms on the lawn at Hartland Abbey. Let's hope this fine weather lasts all summer long. We have listed just some of the July highlights here.  To add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar 

6th July Fireman Sam at the Big Sheep. Come and see Fireman Sam on Sunday 6th July at The BIG Sheep Family Attraction. Fireman Sam will be making personal appearances at intervals between 11am and 3:30pm. Don't forget to bring your camera. Park admission is FREE to annual Season Ticket Holders.
Sunday 6th July Jazz in the Garden at Ash House Iddesleigh EX19 8SQ. Jazz in the Garden with the Steve Tucker All Star Jazz Band on Sunday 6th July 2pm-6pm -Barbecue, cream teas, ice-creams, pimms, bar & beer tent. Tickets at the gate Adults £7-50 OAP's £5 under 16's free. Dogs on leads welcome. Further info jana.khayat@virgin.net or suefolland@hotmail.co.uk IN AID OF: St James Iddesleigh
11th July Purple Day at the Big Sheep. The BIG Sheep flock will be donning their purple clothes, wigs and anything else purple to help raise money for Barnstaple's Chemotherapy Appeal. Visit us on Friday 11th July wearing purple and we'll donate £1 of your entry fee to the Chemotherapy Appeal.
13th July Scream for Ice Cream at the Big Sheep. The BIG Sheep will be hosting an ice cream “Taster” day on Sunday 13th July and will be inviting visitors to indulge in lots of luscious ice cream and vote for their favourite flavour! Tasting will take place between 11am and 3pm and the winning ice-cream will be announced after the…
12th to 13th July Lundy Gig Row Clovelly. The row from Clovelly to Lundy and back across 32 miles of open seas is a huge test of endurance. Depending upon the weather and tides, it can take up to four hours. Do come along and support the brave crews! They leave Clovelly at 8am and arrive at Lundy at about 11am. The following day they leave Lundy at about 1pm and arrive back at Clovelly at about 4pm.
July 12th & 13th All Things Morris Seafront, Fore St, Pier & Landmark.  Now expanded in its second year to a two day event with exhibitions, Morris dancing and a Morris car show. www.visitilfracombe.co.uk 
Sunday 13 July  A new 'citizen science' project to discover more about Exmoor's coastal wildlife is holding its first public event on the beach at Lynmouth click here for details 
19th July Ruby Country Market, Hatherleigh, 9am-2pm  http://rubycountrymarket.co.uk/
20th July Clovelly Maritime Festival in aid of The N. D. Hospice Starting at 10am, the day will be full of fun and cram-packed with a programme of all sorts of activities and entertainment for all ages. There'll be lively music, cookery demonstrations, crafty creations and family activities throughout the day. The quay will be full of seafood kitchens, arts and crafts and facepainting too. The New Inn, in the heart of the village, will be offering two lunch specials and fresh strawberrry and cream teas with home made scones. So do come along and enjoy this fun-packed day out, held in aid of the North Devon Hospice. Young people (7-16 years) will have free entry if they come dressed as a pirate or a mermaid. Under 7s have free entry anyway, but we would love it if they come dressed up too. Standard admission charges to Clovelly include all entertainment.
20th July Bideford Rotary Water Festival. Visit Website for event details
July 20th Ilfracombe Golf Club Sponsored Open Day www.ilfracombegolfclub.com
Friday 25th July, Saturday 26th July & Sunday 27th July Appledore Summer Festival
Saturday July 26th Dipping Detectives on Hatherleigh Moor 11am - 3.00pm. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project at Hatherleigh Moor for pond dipping and bug hunting. Grid ref SS 550 037. Call Clare Manning on 01271 388647 or email cmanning@devonwildlifetrust.org for more details. Booking not essential - just turn up!.
Friday 25th July, Saturday 26th July & Sunday 27th July The Appledore Summer Festival or further details on events in Appledore visit  appledore.org
26th July - Tue 7th August Appledore & Instow Regatta - 129 Years of Maritime Celebration Est. 1885 - See Regatta Programme

July 27th Ilfracombe Birdman. An event which involves would-be aviators hurling themselves off the town’s pier in an attempt to fly before crashing into the sea. www.ilfracomberoundtable/birdman-2014
28th July Woolsery Agricultural Show Summer in North Devon would not be complete without a visit to this ever popular show. Classes include crafts, cattle and sheep, together with horse and pony competitions. There will be a display of vintage farm machinery, a display of hounds and the Young Farmers' "It's a knockout". You'll find bustling trade stalls offering locally made crafts and food with fairground rides and a bouncy castle for the children.
It's a great summer day out for all the family!
Wednesday 30th July, 5 pm Illyria presents ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’ by Roald Dahl, adapted by David Wood at Hartland Abbey. It’s the first day of half-term and Grandma has written to say she is coming to stay. George is going to have to give up his bedroom for her. It wouldn’t be so bad if Grandma were a nice Grandma. But George’s Grandma is horrible...Following their enormous successes with JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH and FANTASTIC MR FOX, and a record-breaking sellout season of THE TWITS, Illyria returns with yet another Roald Dahl classic full of (literally) larger-than-life characters, plenty to join in with, and just a twist of malicious fun! It’s guaranteed to send you through the roof! Running time (approx): 1hr 35mins (including 20 minute interval) Full £13.00 Concession £11.00 Supporter £9.00 Family tickets available. Suitable for all ages 5+ Drama Workshop with Sarah Middleton for 5-10 year olds 3.45-4:30pm £3. Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Cream Teas, Pimms and Wine Bar and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending from 2 hours before the show - Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre Box Office: 01805 624624 - www.theploughartscentre.org.uk. Hartland Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay) www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234

For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal
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NORTH DEVON TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, North Devon Museum, The Square, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 9LS
Bideford Tourist Information Centre, Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road, Bideford, EX39 2QQ 
Braunton Tourist Information Centre The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1AA
Combe Martin Tourist Information Centre Cross Street, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 ODH 
Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre: The Memorial Hall, Holsworthy, 
Torrington Tourist Information Centre, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington   
lfracombe Tourist Information Centre The Landmark Theatre, The Seafront, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9BX
Lynton Tourist Information Centre Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, North Devon, EX35 6HT T
South Molton Tourist Information  1 East Street, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3BU 
Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre The Esplanade, Woolacombe, North Devon, EX34 7DL 
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 To add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar 

When I Was Your Age! Fun FREE intergenerational art and oral history event in Braunton

Kick off the summer holidays with a fun FREE creative event for families in Braunton. We are looking for twelve people from Braunton of varying ages (from 8 upwards) to take part in a workshop with professional artist, Jo Bushell, exploring the topic of 'community' today and in the past. Community film making organisation, North Devon Moving Image (NDMI), will be producing a short film of the event to be shared in their online collection. Creative Director Amanda McCormack says "We are looking for Grannies & Grandads, Grandchildren and those inbetween to take part in a collaborative work of art. No creative skills are necessary and the project is designed so that people of any age and ability can have fun and make a contribution. We will be using the workshop to draw out stories of what community means to our local people." Jo Bushell will work with the group, using rope weaving and decoration to represent the interweaving of land and sea which sums up the environment and heritage of Braunton. Following her research for the project at Braunton Museum Jo Bushell says "The reason I chose to highlight land and sea based industries is because it is something really quite unique to communities in North Devon. One thing that really strikes me about this topic is that, as we can see from photographs in the museum there was a strong sense of camaraderie among the workers within both these industries. People worked hard and conditions were harsh but they had to work very closely as a team to get the work done and this in turn brought people together. The bulb farm pictures particularly demonstrate this and you get the impression that they regarded themselves as part of a close knit group sharing life, hardship, laughter on a daily basis." 

Fun FREE intergenerational art and oral history event in Braunton on Tuesday 29 July 2014, 10am until 2pm at St Brannock's Church Rooms, Braunton. Refreshments provided

Funding from Fullabrook CIC has enabled NDMI to offer this as a free event and there will even be refreshments provided! Places are strictly limited so even though there is no cost, booking is essential. Please contact Amanda McCormack at NDMI on 01271 860610 or email northdevonmovingimage@outlook.com to find out more or to reserve a place.

Photo: Jo Bushell, Community Artist at Braunton Museum Copyright Amanda McCormack

SHORT SHORTS FILM COMPETITION - LOOKING FOR NORTH DEVON'S MOST COLOURFUL CHARACTERS

Eccentric, inspirational, fascinating or just plain bonkers, we all know plenty of colourful characters in north Devon. Now you have a chance to capture these characters on video and preserve their lives and their stories for posterity.  North Devon Moving Image (NDMI) is calling for submissions of sixty second video profiles of local people; it could be your postman, a chatty market stall holder, a selfless volunteer, your football coach or even your cheeky Grandma! First prize is a Sony Handycam HDR-CX220E kindly donated by NDMI supporters J&A Cameras and other prizes include a night out with entertainment and a meal at The George Hotel, South Molton.  The competition is open to all ages, free to enter and you don't need expensive equipment or professional software to make your short film.  You could use your mobile phone, digital camera or tablet.  Just make sure you have permission to film and the right to use any music you want to include and off you go! Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of NDMI says "Here at NDMI we believe in the power of film and know that wonderful stories can be told in just a minute. We want to get to know the people who make up the communities of north Devon.  We want to hear their stories and be amused, inspired or have our heart strings tugged."

• The competition closes on Wednesday 1 October 2014 but don't wait until then to send your film in as the North Devon Journal will be featuring the best films on their website as they are submitted.
• You can submit your film via We Transfer to northdevonmovingimage@outlook.com, by post to North Devon Moving Image, 2 Cullamartin, Instow, Bideford EX39 4LU or by dropping it in to J&A Cameras in Barnstaple or Bideford. 
• Full terms and conditions are available on the NDMI website at www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk or by calling Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of NDMI on 01271 860610.

A celebratory screening and prize giving will take place in November in Barnstaple and the best of the films will be preserved and shared in the NDMI collection online and on DVD.

 About North Devon Moving Image: NDMI is a community film making organisation which aims to create, collect and share short documentary films about north Devon.  As well as providing a social documentary archive for the future the films, and the process of producing them, allow us to examine how we live our lives today.

North Devon is understood to be the areas covered by North Devon Council and Torridge District Council.

Wildflowers spread colour across city

A dash of bright and beautiful colour is set to spread across some of Exeter's best known green spaces this summer. Last year saw more than three hectares of new wildflower meadow planted across the city. Now, with summer just beginning, the seeds have grown into plants and their beautiful blooms are beginning to show off their true colours. The new wildflower meadows are the work of local residents and school students. All volunteered under the Exeter Wild City initiative, a scheme led Devon Wildlife Trust and Exeter City Council, and funded by The Big Lottery Fund and Devon Doctors. The aim was simple, to create colourful summer flower displays and help some of our most important city wildlife including minibeasts such as bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies. In recent months more wildflower seed has been sown across Exeter by the City Council, creating wildflower beds in some of the city's most popular green spaces including Bull Meadow, Rougemont Gardens, St Thomas Pleasure Grounds and Northernhay Gardens. Planting involved a wildflower seed mix of colourful plants such as cornflower, poppy, corn chamomile and corn cockle. The results of all this planting and hard work is now beginning to show. Galvin Short from Exeter City Council said: "Biodiversity and sustainability are relatively new 'buzz words' but in partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust we have been chipping away at bland evergreen landscapes for over ten years. Most of our principal parks now have a wild corner which we leave for the mini beasts and nesting birds and our larger sites have significant areas that are maintained as wildflower meadows or as a developing wildlife habitat. The results of this project are there for all to see, and indeed listen to. Even in our city centre parks we have very active colonies of bats, bees, butterflies and moths and an almost jubilant dawn chorus." Emily Stallworthy of Devon Wildlife Trust said: "Cities such as Exeter are essential places for wildlife such as bumblebees, butterflies and birds. People's gardens and city parks provide a huge variety of flowering plants that help to feed pollinating insects. These insects then go on to do a very important job in feeding us by pollinating our orchards and crops." Emily continued: "For anybody wanting to help pollinators at home the best advice is follow the principles that we've used on this Exeter Wild City project. Our main aim has been to provide a variety of flowers throughout the year, in this way we can feed insects with nectar over long periods of time. Different insects also prefer different types of flowers, for example, open flowers such as daisies, and bell shaped such as foxgloves, so it's good to have a mix. It's also best to avoid hybridised flowers such as petunias and begonias as these produce little or no nectar for insects." Devon Wildlife Trust provides information for the budding wildlife gardener via its website www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Photo: 'Heavitree Pleasure Ground is one of the city venues to have seen an injection of wildflower colour' -  copyright DWT All Rights Reserved

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS - Classic Father's Days, Dog Shows, Music Festivals, Nature Walks & Outdoor Theatre Performances

It's blooming June, time for Father's Day, Honeysuckle and Roses, Strawberries and Cream and Wimbledon and the World Cup. Here are just some of the eclectic mix of North Devon Local events from a Classic Car Day for Dad's at the Big Sheep, a Women in Waves at Putsborough Beach and the very first Electric Circus Festival at the Globe in Torrington, a Dog Show and Country Fair at Dowland Farm, Winkleigh and here's hoping the sun comes out for the Outdoor Theatre performances running at Hartland Abbey. This is also a good time for nature lovers to join Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project on their special walks exploring hedgerows, Culm grassland and  wildflower meadows.

7th June Women in Waves Active Devon  working in partnership with Surf Life Saving UK to run a multi-sport event at Putsborough Beach.  Women's Beach activities, Boot Camp, Warm Up followed by a number of beach and water activities including netball, rugby, football, sand ball, surf lifesaving, paddle boarding. Additional activities for children. Visit Web site
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*******THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  6th to 8th June Electric Circus Festival, The Globe Hotel, Great Torrington. Our first Electric Circus Festival will be taking place on the 6,7 & 8th June. Evening tickets will be on sale from Friday 18 April at The Globe Hotel, Great Torrington. £15 will get over 18's access to some of the best and brightest North Devon bands from 7pm across Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Saturday - Sunday 1 - 6pm will be free entry for all with plenty of live music and entertainment for adults and children. Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards a donation to our charity partner, North Devon Against Domestic Abuse. Stay in the know by following us on twitter @OCCLive and check out our website: www.electriccircusfestival.com. Thank you and looking forward to seeing you there!
IN AID OF: A donation will be made to North Devon Against Domestic Abuse TEL NO: 07932 820764 EMAIL: sallydonnellan@gmail.com
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Saturday June 14th Culm in full colour summer nature walk. Merefelle Nature Reserve, Woolsery 11am - 3.00pm. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project for a guided walk through this classic Culm grassland nature reserve. Find out more about the abundant wildflowers, butterflies and other colourful creatures, together with their less flamboyant neighbours hiding in the undergrowth. Grid ref SS 310 190. Call Clare Manning on 01271 388647 or email cmanning@devonwildlifetrust.org for more details and to book places.
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15th June Father's Day at the Big Sheep. Dad's visit for FREE when accompanied by 1 full paying child under 16 on Fathers Day. Are you struggling to think of an imaginative present to buy Dad this Father’s Day? Look no further, as The BIG Sheep in Bideford, has got the perfect ingredients for an extra special Fathers Day this year…
15th June A Classic Day out for Father's Day at the Big Sheep. The BIG Sheep family attraction in North Devon will be hosting a classic day out for dads to celebrate Father’s Day in style this year. On Sunday 15th June from 10am to 5pm the North Devon Sports and Classic Car Club will join forces…
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15th June  Dowland Country Fair & Dog Show Furze Park, Nr Winkleigh Devon EX19 8PQ Every year people join us from all over the South West for this fantastic family day out. This year we are delighted to be having a spectacular fly past featuring 5 World War 11 Austers, birds of prey, gun dog & hand sheep shearing displays, vintage, Suffolk punch, pony rides, children's attractions, trade stands, barbecue, bar, cream teas. Lurcher,Terrier, Family Dog & Ferret Shows, Buckham Fair Best Rescue qualifier. Lurcher simulated coursing book in from 9am for 9-30am start. Lurcher & Terrier racing, Entertainment Stage. A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND THE DAY Sunday 15th June 11am - 5pm Adults £4 children £1 under 5's free  IN AID OF: donations from this event will be given to the North Devon Children's Hospice and local organisations. Visit web site for more
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Thursday 19th June, Miracle Theatre presents ‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare at Hartland Abbey 7pm. Freely adapted & directed by Bill Scott with original music by Jim Carey. Miracle celebrates 35 years of producing engaging, inventive and enjoyable theatre by bringing together a team of talented collaborators, past and present, to create a fresh and musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless play that will delight audiences of all ages. Enjoy the full ‘open air theatre experience’ by bringing along well stocked picnics, cushions and blankets for a special night of theatre performed under the stars! Full £13.00 Concession £11.00 Supporter £9.00 Family tickets available Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Pimms and Wine Bar and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending from 2 hours before the show. Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre Box Office: 01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk. Hartland Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay) www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234
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Friday June 27th Lockspark Farm Walk at Lockspark Farm, near Hatherleigh. 11am - 3.00pm. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project for a guided walk exploring the hedgerow wildlife and rich Culm grassland of this Dolton farm with owners Rob and Paula Wolton. Grid ref SS 523 018. Spaces are limited and booking is essential. Call Clare Manning on 01271 388647 or email cmanning@devonwildlifetrust.org for more details and to book places.
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28th June Armed Forces Day at the Big Sheep. Free entry to all armed forces on Saturday 28th June.
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Sunday, 29th June, 3 pm matinée and 7 pm Hartland Abbey Plough Community Theatre presents ‘Candleford’. After ‘Lark Rise’ last year Plough Community Theatre complete the story with ‘Candleford’ where young Laura Timms leaves her village and goes to work in the very centre of rural 1880s small town life – the post office. Keith Dewhurst’s lively 1978 adaptation for the National Theatre tells a gentle yet powerful story of country characters with the action all taking place on the coldest day of the winter and the first day of the hunt. Local actors will breathe life, humour and music into this simple yet joyfully heart-warming piece of theatre. “Plough Community Theatre created a surreal comedic air that gave a sense of a rural community in an isolated grip of madness....we became part of this insanity and had a jolly good laugh” Tony Glynn North Devon Journal (‘Lark Rise’ 2013) Full £10.00 Concession £8.00 Supporter £7.00 Family tickets available. Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Cream Teas (afternoon show), Pimms and Wine Bar and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending from 2 hours before the evening show (matinée – 1 hour prior to show) Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre Box Office: 01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Hartland Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay) www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234

For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal
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NORTH DEVON TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, North Devon Museum, The Square, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 9LS
Bideford Tourist Information Centre, Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road, Bideford, EX39 2QQ 
Braunton Tourist Information Centre The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1AA
Combe Martin Tourist Information Centre Cross Street, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 ODH 
Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre: The Memorial Hall, Holsworthy, 
Torrington Tourist Information Centre, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington   
lfracombe Tourist Information Centre The Landmark Theatre, The Seafront, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9BX
Lynton Tourist Information Centre Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, North Devon, EX35 6HT T
South Molton Tourist Information  1 East Street, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3BU 
Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre The Esplanade, Woolacombe, North Devon, EX34 7DL 
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 To add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar