Wednesday 27 May 2015

30 Days Wild: Can you make room for nature this June? An exciting new challenge for everyone!

This June, Devon Wildlife Trust is asking everyone to do something wild every day for a month. The challenge is simple and designed to delight. The charity wants us all to make room in our busy lives for nature - no matter where you are or how hectic your schedule.
The message from The Trust's spokesperson Steve Hussey couldn't be clearer: 'We want to make June the month when you do something wild every day - and let us motivate you!' Devon Wildlife Trust's invitation is part of a national campaign being run by the The Wildlife Trusts. Everyone who signs up to 30 Days Wild - the UK's first ever month-long nature challenge - will receive a download pack full of encouragement, ideas and 'Random Acts of Wildness'. They will also receive a funky wallchart to track progress, a wild badge, and regular blasts of inspiration throughout June straight to their inbox to help everyone make nature part of their lives.
The 30 Days Wild sign-up page is www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild
A short film featuring Devon Wildlife Trust's Jasmine Atkinson is being used to promote 30 Days Wild across the UK. Jasmine appears in the video (available to see at www.devonwildlifetrust.org) paddling in a Dartmoor stream and taking a twilight walk. Jasmine says: 'Detect, discover, dig; invite, inhale, immerse; shout, scatter and sweep... we've put together 101 fun and intriguing ideas to get you started. It's not hard and doesn't even matter if you miss a day or two - we won't tell anyone!  30 Days Wild is all about making time for nature in your life - and it's free.' 
BBC Countryfile presenter Ellie Harrison* is a supporter of The Wildlife Trusts' month-long challenge. She can't wait to get started - she says: 'This month we want you to do something wild! You could climb to the highest hill, take a wild photo or even follow a bumble bee to see where it takes you. Join us for 30 Days Wild and find your wild life!' 
The emphasis of 30 Days Wild is all about enjoying nature, but the campaign is underpinned by a serious message. Devon Wildlife Trust's Steve Hussey says: 'We know that a generation of children is growing up disconnected from nature - only 1 in 10 children ever play in wild places. But this is a problem that affects adults too. It can be difficult to create the right moment or to find time for nature in busy lives. We're here to inspire people - whatever your age, wherever you live, we want everyone to feel they can take part.' 
The Wildlife Trusts are asking people to invent their own 'Random Acts of Wildness' or use our list for our inspiration - these acts are everyday ways to connect with nature or help wildlife. This could be as simple as: 
  •  Inhale: take a few seconds out to smell a wildflower 
  •  Record: put wild sounds onto your phone and make them your ringtone - you'll be transported back to the wild every time you get a call 
  •  Encounter: share a close encounter with a favourite species 
  •  Create: make a wild work of art outdoors and leave it for others to enjoy 
To get started people are being urged to visit the Devon Wildlife Trust 30 Days Wild webpage at www.devonwildlifetrust.org Devon Wildlife Trust is hoping to make June a really wild month and is asking people to join in, connect with nature and share their experiences, photos and ideas using #30DaysWild on Twitter
 *Ellie Harrison presents BBC Countryfile and is the president of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.
http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/30-days-wild/

New Orleans Jazz Evening at the Clinton Arms – Saturday 30 May

Come along and enjoy the sounds and tastes of the Mississippi with an evening of jazz at the Clinton Arms. There will be live New Orleans music from the Retro Rhythm Rascals as well as Cajun culinary delights created by Pete Robertson. The Retro Rhythm Rascals is a vintage jazz quintet influenced by the music and styles of the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Let them take you back to Bourbon Street in the roaring 20’s as you enjoy a scrumptious soul-food menu created especially for the evening. Pete will be cooking up a Creole feast, including gumbo, pulled pork and jerk chicken. To book your table, call 01805 623279. Music starts at 8pm. Entry is free, so get your glad rags on and join us for some fun!

http://www.retro-rhythm-rascals.com

 Retro Rhythm Rascals: Website  - Facebook - Twitter

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Charged Up Folk band Castletown play the Clinton Arms 29th May

Castletown will be landing at the Clinton Arms to play on the 29th May at 9pm.  
Castletown are a Bradninch based three piece folk band composed of Derek Kerr, Neil Moulton and Theo Jackson. Derek formed Castletown in 2003 and is the vocalist and plays the guitar, Neil comes from a musical family and is also known for playing his violin with his brothers MacKenzie and Bruce as the Moulton Brothers. Theo, also a vocalist, has been playing Bass for 27 years and Double Bass for 20 years. Based in New Zealand till 1999 then UK thereafter

Castletown's music is romantically focused on the shipwrecks, lost sailors and people from centuries ago who lived and worked on Devon's coast. Castletown are renowned for playing traditional tunes as they should be played, full of rhythm, feeling and fun. Their music is influenced by bands such as Steeleye Span, The Pogues and the Corries. They’ve been popping up at festivals in South West since 2003 They will also be playing at this years Tiverton Balloon Festival in July.
Photo copyright Castletown (All rights reserved)

Download Castletown Music: https://www.facebook.com/castletownband/app_2405167945
Tap links for Information about Castletown
https://www.facebook.com/castletownband
https://www.reverbnation.com/castletownband
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This is just one of the many quality music gigs that the Clinton Arms provides for the discerning gig attender each Friday at 9pm. EVERY GIG IS FREE
The CLINTON ARMS, Frithelstock, Torrington, North Devon EX38 8JH. 

Thursday 21 May 2015

Champion students get power boost

Champion students get power boost 60 Devon students who have been specially selected by their schools and colleges to work for the region's marine environment have received a significant boost from a leading energy company.
The Marine Wildlife Champions project was set-up in 2014 by Devon Wildlife Trust. It brings together children from six schools and colleges in the Plymouth area. Each of the participating school's select their own Marine Champions - 10 students who then work with The Trust to help achieve three goals:
* To increase knowledge and understanding of the marine environment and the challenges it faces.
* To champion marine wildlife and to take the lead in affecting behavioural change in their own communities.
* To work as a team and present findings to wider audiences.
Now the work of these Champions has been boosted with news of generous funding support from Western Power Distribution.
At a recent event held at one participating school, Longcause Community Special School, in Plymouth, Western Power Distribution's Gary Beasley met with the school's 10 Marine Wildlife Champions to learn about their work and tell them the good news. Gary said:
"Marine conservation is something we can all support no matter how large or small our contribution we all have an important role to play in protecting the marine environment. Something as easy as taking home plastic bottles from the beach will help improve our coastlines! These sessions are informative but fun and I look forward to seeing the outcome from the individual projects."
As well as meeting Gary, the school's Marine Champions had also gathered to hear from Devon Wildlife Trust's Marine Awareness Officer Coral Smith about their work for the coming year. After a presentation from Coral about the main environmental challenges facing marine life, the Champions voted (with their eyes closed!) for the issue that they most wanted to concentrate on in the coming months. Facing a choice between Terrestrial Pollution, Plastic Pollution, Climate Change, Over Fishing and Protection of the Sea, a quick count established 'Overfishing' as the outright winner taking 5 out of the 10 votes.
Devon Wildlife Trust Marine Education Officer Coral Smith said: "We spent a very rewarding morning at Longcause Community Special School, working with their wonderful Marine Wildlife Champions. The students were presented with the 5 main challenges facing today's marine environment and they have chosen to tackle the problem of 'Overfishing.' This will be the issue they now concentrate on over the coming months. I can't wait to see what outcomes they come up with at the end of the project!" Coral added: "Western Power Distribution's support is great news because it ensures that we can properly resource this work, establishing the importance of the marine environment to young people. Funding allows us to offer it free of charge to the schools. Through allowing students to make their own decisions and come up with their own solutions we aim to produce tomorrow's advocates for more healthy and sustainable seas."
http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org
Pupils (William, left, and Jack) from Longcause Community School, Plymouth with Gary Beasley of Western Power Distribution and Coral Smith of Devon Wildlife Trust. Photo copyright Apex/Western Power Distribution (All rights reserved).

Wednesday 20 May 2015

Another Spring in an ancient woodland

Still no Swifts but at last I have seen the first signs of the Hawthorne blossom in my garden. The May Flowers will soon be putting on a spectacular display along the Atlantic Highway, a snowy white corridor, a magical gateway to Bideford Bay and the Hartland Heritage Coast. This is a perfect time for a walk in the countryside or a chance to explore an ancient woodland. By the middle of the merry month of May the leaves on the trees are a stunning vivid green, translucent in the sunlight, perfect, for a while at least, before the rain and the wind tarnishes them. The wonder of an ancient woodland, year after year the wild flowers return carpeting the ground, path verges and banks. The signs are there for all to see in early Spring, Snowdrops, Alexanders, Primroses, Dandelion, Yellow Pimpernel, Dogs Mercury, Herb Robert and Lesser Celandine. These are followed by Bluebells, Bugle, Cuckoo Flower, Speedwell, Wood Anemone, Red Campion, Greater Stitchwort, Woodruff, Dog Violet, Common Sorrel, Early Spotted Orchid, Creeping Buttercup and carpets of Ramsons. At this time of the year "In the Greenwood" it's fun to identify the trees by the shape of their pristine leaves Oak, Beech, Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Holly, Mountain Ash, Willow and more. Fighting for space in the woodland floor are a mass of upwardly mobile ferns, a host of rare grasses, lichens and maybe some fungi clinging to a fallen moss-laden tree. So much to see so enjoy your woodland WALK, WATCH & LISTEN

http://www.thenorthdevonfocus.co.uk

http://www.thenorthdevonfocus.co.uk

http://www.thenorthdevonfocus.co.uk

LOCAL WOODLAND WONDERS - WALK, WATCH & LISTEN

Sunday 3 May 2015

From the Cardiff Millennium Centre to The Clinton Arms- Wildwood Kin to play their first North Devon Gig

In the wake of their performance at the BBC2 Folk Awards, Alt Folk band Wildwood Kin will be playing their first gig in North Devon at The Clinton Arms in Frithelstock, North Devon on the 8th May.They are one of the many quality music acts that appear at the Clinton Arms FREE live music sessions every Friday.
Wildwood Kin are an Exeter based alt folk band composed of Emillie Key, Beth Key, Meghann Loney. In 2013 Wildwood Kin won the Open Mic UK music competition at the NEC Birmingham against more than 9000 acts. This year they were nominated for the BB2 Young Folk Award and were shortlisted to the last 4 and performed on April 22nd at The Millennium Centre in Cardiff broadcast on Radio 2. April 2015 was a very busy month for Wildwood Kin as they also played with Seth Lakeman at The Watering Hole in Perranporth. Wildwood Kin have been compared to harmony focused bands such as Fleet Foxes. They grew up listening to a great diversity of music such as James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Queen. They also state they are influenced by The Staves, Mumford & Sons, James Taylor, Phil Collins, The Wailin' Jennies. Their harmonies are helped by being part of the same family and growing up together which was highlighted by Nancy Kerr (BBC Folk Singer of the Year). She said their harmonies were so gorgeous. “that sonically they were coming from the same place”. Emillie and Beth are sisters and Meg is their cousin.

https://www.facebook.com/wildwoodkin

https://www.facebook.com/wildwoodkin
Wildwood Kin pictured with Guy Garvey at the BBC2 Folk Awards at The Millennium Centre Cardiff

Wildwood Kin Music and Appearances
Wildwood Kin- ‘The Valley’ -Wildwood Kin perform 'The Valley' as an exclusive online track for BBC Introducing in Devon:
James Santer of BBC Introducing in Devon stated about this gig “"You won't be disappointed... we LOVE them!”
James also stated on BBC Spotlight “We keep playing their music as often as we can on the show”
Tap here for their Interview on BBC Spotlight February 2015:


For Information on Wildwood Kin See Also:
https://www.facebook.com/wildwoodkin
https://twitter.com/wildwoodkin
Their debut EP has recently been released called ‘Salt of The Earth’ produced by Tim Bidwell
Available at :
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/salt-of-the-earth-ep/id956874821
https://soundcloud.com/wildwood-kin/salt-of-the-earth-wildwood-kin