Autumn Highlights: A celebration of North Devon Coast and Countryside events

The kids may be back at school and that relaxing holiday may seem a long time ago but the fun doesn't stop in North Devon if you love the coast and countryside. Bright days, a bumper harvest for the birds as berries abound in the garden and hedgerows. Today our local farmer was doing the third cut on the Clover-filled grass in the field. The tractor, normally mobbed by Seagulls was today being encircled by a large flock of Swallows, there are so many insects I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t stay around longer. It may be what's known as an Indian Summer, as there are still plenty of bees around in my garden, settling happily then dozing off on the Teasels. The warm weather is bringing out the butterflies too, I spotted a Speckled Wood amongst the greenery and a Peacock on the last flowering Buddleia. This week I've seen a Willow Warbler and a Wren along with the Blue Tits and Chaffinches. The Blackbirds did well too over the Summer, one of the juveniles has a huge long sharp beak and I’ve named him “Peaky Blinder”. The Sparrows had at least three broods, the youngsters are now self-sufficient so I’m planning to finally cut back the Privet hedge where they roost. I noticed the Greenfinch are back, just in time for the seeds, no doubt. Summer will be over when the Swallows leave for Africa while the summer season comes to a close this weekend with the Bideford Festival of Piping and Drumming and the Bideford Carnival. Some of our tourist attractions close traditionally at the end of October so there is plenty of fun things to do and many continue with fun activities throughout the winter including The Big Sheep who are holding another local fund-raiser with Wine Tasting on the menu and it's all in aid of the North Devon Hospice, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK. If you’re up for a heated debate then head down along for the Clovelly Lectures to discuss "The Rise and Rise of China", the “Historic Ship Sailings” continue until the 26th September from Clovelly Harbour and come November we’ll all be celebrating those Silver Darlings of the sea at the Clovelly Herring Festival. Finally, October is the time to get fit, stay fit or take part in the South West Coast Path Challenge (read all about it here). ...........see event details in listings below.

From Sunday 6th to Saturday 26th September Historic Ship Sailings from Clovelly Harbour Times and prices: Visit Clovelly Events website

Bookings: Skipper, Charles Robertson. T: 07896 215213, Email: charles-robertson@live.co.uk

11th September Wine Tasting at The BIG Sheep, Abbotsham. Enjoy a fun night with friends and sample six delicious wines from different counties and see if you can guess which of our panellists is telling the truth who is trying to baffle you with bull! The panellist will be made up from upstanding members of the community but do you know your wine well enough to know who is bluffing and who is telling the truth. Which of the panellists will you trust - Doctor, Solicitor, Vicar or MP. This is a fund raising event sponsored by Tesco Bideford to raise funds for for Tesco's chosen chairties of the year; Diabetes UK and the Bristish Heart Foundation as well as North Devon Hospice. Tickets cost £10 per person and include a selection of cheese and six wine samples. TEL NO: 01237 472366 EMAIL: nicola@thebigsheep.co.uk Visit website for tickets IN AID OF: North Devon Hospice, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK. Towards the end of September

Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September Bideford Festival of Piping & Drumming Pipe Bands from all over southern England and South Wales will be taking part in various pipe band related activities, with the highlight being the Massed Pipes & Drums on the Quay after Bideford Carnival. Visit website http://www.bidefordmassedbands.co.uk/

Saturday 12th September Bideford Carnival The Carnival procession starts at 6.00pm, followed by the Massed Pipes & Drums at approximately 7.45pm. Ending with a spectacular firework display at about 9.30pm.

Saturday 26 September CLOVELLY LECTURES "The Rise and Rise of China" Speaker Jonathan Fenby CBE Clovelly Visitor Centre Times and prices: Visit http://www.clovelly.co.uk. Bookings and Enquires: E-mail clovellylectures11@gmail.com Tel: 01237 431200

3rd October South West Coast Path Challenge, Minehead. Take part in the South West Coast Path Challenge this October to set the world record for the number of times we can walk or run the Path in one month! Join a 10 Mile Challenge Walk or create your own Challenge to raise funds for Path repairs and improvements. Visit Website for details - IN AID OF: South West Coast Path/National Trust
Saturday 7th November 'Day of the Dead' Night Pig On The Hill,Westward Ho! EX39 5AH. Live Music-tequila bar-Fancy Dress-Face Painting & Pinata - FREE ENTRY 5.00-11.00 MUSIC GENRE: Mariachi Band. Contact Paula Davies 0759 3993948 pigonthehillpress@gmail.com

Sunday 15th November Clovelly Herring Festival. Clovelly was once a major centre for herring fishing. This popular festival is held in support of sustainable fishing and to celebrate the herring, the 'Silver Darlings' of the sea. There'll be delicious herring specialities, cookery demonstrations, live shanty singers, street entertainment, photo exhibition, local food and craft stalls and National Trust event-themed craft activities. Mike Smylie, maritime historian, will return with his 'Kipperland' exhibition and smoke his delicious kippers and bloaters. There'll also be net making, flax processing and a curragh on show provided by 'Flaxland'.
Sunday 22nd November LiveView Photo & Optics Show, The Cedars Inn, Roundswell, Barnstaple Love photography? You'll love this... back by popular demand, J&A Cameras proudly welcomes you to our very own camera extravaganza, LiveView 2015! Sunday 22nd November sees us descend on The Cedars Inn at Roundswell, Barnstaple for the South West's largest photographic and optics show. If you've been thinking about a new toy for this Christmas then you're in luck, the show offers a first class view at some of the latest technology on the market with some unbeatable show prices to boot………… Special guests include Devon Wildlife Trust, cosplay group 'Troop 69' and the beautiful birds from Exmoor Hawking, who will be with us providing some fantastic photo opportunities on the day. The show runs from 10.30am until 4.30pm and admission is completely free. Parking areas will be clearly marked within the grounds of The Cedars Inn, however alternate parking is available 10 minutes walk away at Roundswell Retail Park if needed. The list of guest exhibitors are subject to change. Contact us for more information, showline 01271 375037 or visit www.jandacameras.co.uk/liveview 

For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  

Traditional Plcarooners and Coracles were used to fish for "Silver Darlings" of the sea - Photo Copyright P. Adams (All rights reserved)

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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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(We advise that you check with venues to ensure events are taking place, to confirm details dates & times)