All photos copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, 19 February 2026
Moor Photography. Land of myths and legends.
All photos copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Sundial Care Home Visits Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary
Family members (residents) travelled together to the next town over in the home’s eight-seater car, supported by team members and volunteers. The sanctuary, which provides lifelong care and rehabilitation for hundreds of rescued donkeys, is a familiar and much-loved destination for the care home, with them having arranged regular visits throughout the years.
Family members spent time walking around the paddocks, meeting the donkeys and learning about their individual stories. Being around animals can have a calming and therapeutic effect, which supports wellbeing by encouraging conversation, and creating relaxed opportunities for social interaction. No outing would be complete without time to enjoy a hot drink and sweet treat in the café, which looks out over the donkey paddocks and rolling Devon landscape.
At Sundial Care Home, supporting family members to remain active and engaged beyond the home is an important part of everyday life. Alongside outings to neighbouring towns such as Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary - which offer opportunities for family members to visit familiar places and enjoy local surroundings, the home also hosts annual events, welcoming the community into the heart of the home.
These opportunities are available for those who wish to take part and are a way to support wellbeing through social interaction, and shared experiences.
If you would like to learn more about Sundial Care Home, please visit https://www.sundialcare.com/activities-in-care/
Edenmore Nursing Home Celebrates Valentine’s with its Vintage Sweet Cart
From jelly sweets
to gums and chocolate treats, the selection was chosen with familiarity in
mind, flavours and textures many of the family members (residents) would
recognise from traditional sweet shops.
Throughout the
day, family members were encouraged to visit the cart, fill their own paper
bags and enjoy a little something sweet. The sweet cart created opportunities
for movement, conversation and reminiscing about childhood trips to the sweet
shop, which could evoke positive feelings or emotions.
In the afternoon,
music filled the lounge with well-known tunes from the past. For those who
wanted to, there was dancing together and holding hands, either up on their
feet or from the comfort of their chairs.
Home Manager
Gayle shared: ‘It’s lovely to see everyone choosing their favourites and
chatting about the sweets they used to enjoy. A few even asked if they needed
to pay, which made us smile – it felt just like a proper old sweet shop.
Valentine’s Day for us isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about creating moments
of comfort, familiarity and connection.’
Family members
also enjoyed Valentine’s cookies and cupcakes decorated with pink icing and
sprinkles for their tea which was prepared by the kitchen team!
Edenmore offers
24-hour nursing and residential care. To learn more about life at Edenmore,
visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com
Friday, 13 February 2026
Hand Crafting a Legacy, The Story of Stan Herbert
Every life
carries a story worth sharing. At Sundial Care Home we tell the story of
Stanley Herbert (Stan), a true naturalist and beloved family member (resident)
living here, whose journey has taken him from military service in Libya, across
the oceans to New Zealand, through decades of farming, and into a lifelong
passion for craftsmanship and nature. Stan’s story offers a glimpse into a life
shaped by fearlessness, skilled hands, and the love for his family and the
great outdoors.
A Wartime
Childhood
Stan Herbert was
born on 27 October 1937 in Beckenham, Greater London, and spent his childhood
in Penge, Southeast London, with his parents and his sister, Grace. His
earliest memories are set against the backdrop of wartime Britain and Stan
recalls one day while walking with his mother, a buzz bomb tore through the
sky, passing over the rooftops before exploding nearby.
School Years
and a Sandwich Shared
At school, Stan
showed a natural ability in the water, earning his lifesaving certificate. It
was around this time that he grew closer to his sweetheart, Maureen. Their
schools were divided, between boys and girls, so the pair would sit and share
sandwiches through the railings.
A Young Hero
When leaving his
education, Stan had hoped to pursue a career in carpentry, but his grandfather
who was a joiner advised against this. For now, his first job was working with
a photographer on New Oxford Street in London.
Whilst working
one day, he smelled smoke coming from the building next door, it was on fire.
Realising there were workers inside, he climbed through the skylight and ran
across the rooftops to get them to safety. This act of bravery earned Stan, the
“Young Hero”, a mention in the evening press. “There are plenty of things we
could say about Dad, but one thing that always struck us was that he was
fearless,” they shared.
Despite this
thrilling experience, Stan realised the photography trade wasn’t for him, so he
left the city behind, taking a farming job in Hayes, West London.
The Military
and a Dog Named Sly
Stan was later
called up for National Service and posted just outside Benghazi, Libya. He
served as a military dog trainer, working with his trusted dog, Sly. Stan
recalled if an anti-sniper dog suddenly sat down, he would instantly “hit the
deck”, between the dogs ears would be the direction of a sniper. Stan enjoyed
his time in the military, so he decided to stay an extra year after completing
his two years of service.
Maureen and
the One-Way Ticket
Whilst visiting
home on leave, the spark between sweethearts, Stan and Maureen was reignited.
When returning a spanner he had borrowed from her father, she was impressed by
his motorbike and he offered to take her for a spin. The pair were inseparable
ever since.
The couple
married in June, 1961, and made the decision to emigrate to New Zealand where
farm workers were needed. However after around six months, Maureen began to
miss home but they would need time to save money, as he’d only bought a one-way
ticket! In that time they welcomed their sons Michael in 1963, Peter in 1964
and David in 1966.
Life on the
Move, Farming Across England
When the couple
returned to England with their sons, Stan was drawn back to farming and built a
reputation as a skilled herdsman and stockman. Around this time they welcomed
their daughter Lindsay in 1969, before making the decision to settle down in
Devon. Finally, their youngest Jessica was born in 1977.
A Craftsman
at Heart
When health
issues unfortunately forced Stan to step back from farming, he worked part-time
in a joiner’s workshop in Colaton Raleigh. Stan had always been into woodwork
and settled into a more “common-sense aesthetic”.
“One of my dad’s
super powers was common sense,” his son Michael recalled. “He made a dining
table out of scraps. It was supremely practical.”
Life in Devon
allowed Stan to share his love for woodwork and the great outdoors with his
children. “If someone suggested that a fallen tree needed to be removed, we
would all go out to help get it,” they all remembered. “We would all have our
roles and the tree would be taken back home to chop up for firewood.”
Overall, Stan
has dedicated many years to woodworking, also founding a carving group with a
friend over 25 years ago that is still active today.
Life at
Sundial Care Home
Now in his
retirement at Sundial Care Home near Sidmouth, Devon, Stan is supported to
continue enjoying the things he loves most. Sundial has also planted his willow
fox, which now stands as a feature in the garden, and several of his
woodcarvings are displayed in the home. His family remain closely involved in
life at Sundial.
Stan’s legacy
lives on through his displayed crafts, the life he is supported to lead today,
and through his children. Fearless, practical, and family-focused, Stan has
crafted a legacy with his own two hands.
His children
summed it up best, “Dad is a true naturalist, with a huge gift for
understanding animals and the land. He’s a top human being — and we all agree.”
If you would like to
learn more about Sundial Care Home, please visit https://www.sundialcare.com/activities-in-care/
Monday, 9 February 2026
The Burton at Bideford acquires work by internationally-renowned artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA
The Burton at Bideford is delighted to announce the acquisition of Yinka Shonibare CBE RA’s Mayflower, All Flowers (2020) to its permanent collection.
The work – a large relief print with woodblock and fabric detail – was created to mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower ship to America, a pivotal moment in the histories of migration, colonisation, and transatlantic exchange.
Shonibare is one the UK’s leading contemporary artists, whose interdisciplinary practice incorporates painting, sculpture, prints, photography and film. Through examining race, class and the construction of cultural identity, his work comments on the tangled interrelationship between Africa and Europe, and their respective economic and political histories.
He was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2004, and his first public art commission, Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle, was displayed on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2010. In summer 2024 The Burton presented his solo exhibition ‘Yinka Shonibare CBE: Modern Spiritual’ which was attended by over 15,000 visitors.
The Burton’s permanent collection includes over 3,000 artworks and objects, covering a breadth of specialisms including fine art, ceramics, decorative art, photography and works on paper. Originally established through artist Hubert Coop RBA’s gift to the borough of Bideford, the collection has grown through major acquisitions and gifts over the past 75-years to represent works of local, national and international significance.
The acquisition of Mayflower, All Flowers marks an important step in The Burton’s strategy of bringing work by leading contemporary artists into conversation with the unique stories heritage and culture of Northern Devon. The work encourages conversation about migration, identity and global exchange in connection with Bideford’s maritime history.
Harriet Cooper, Director of The Burton at Bideford, says:
“Yinka Shonibare CBE RA’s Mayflower, All Flowers is a significant acquisition to The Burton at Bideford’s collection and we look forward to sharing this work with our audiences through our 75th anniversary year and beyond. This purchase is part of our strategy to bring work by leading contemporary artists into conversation with the unique heritage of Northern Devon, reflecting on how our rich local identity connects to vital global conversations.”
Mayflower, All Flowers is initially on display in ‘Hubert Coop and Friends: A Legacy of Art and Influence’, an exhibition tracing the development of The Burton’s permanent collection in 75 objects for 75 years. The work will be a key part of their two-year project Burton 2101: Collections for the Future supported by Art Fund, and the centrepiece of an exhibition in 2027 exploring Bideford’s ceramics and transatlantic trade.
‘Hubert Coop and Friends: A Legacy of Art and Influence’ until 15 March 2026 at The Burton at Bideford, EX39 2QQ.
Free entry.
See www.theburton.org for more details on the exhibition and accompanying events.
Friday, 6 February 2026
Scottish Traditions Shared at Hatherleigh Nursing Home’s Burns Night Celebration,
Hatherleigh Nursing Home near Okehampton, Devon, recently turned their Belvedere Household lounge into a Scottish castle-inspired setting for a Burns Night celebration.
The team thoughtfully selected decorations to create an engaging experience for the home’s family members (residents). Tables were draped with tartan table runners and cloths, with each place setting finished with a matching napkin folded into a fan. Candlesticks sat at the centre of the tables and hung from the ceiling, creating soft mood lighting throughout the lounge. Faux furs were draped around the room, alongside decorative antlers and wooden logs kindly lent by a relative of the home. Table centrepieces of ferns and foliage, finished with tartan ribbons, added the final touches.
As with all cultural events at Hatherleigh, the Kitchen Team prepared a menu of traditional Scottish cuisine which included haggis, neeps and tatties, cock-a-leekie soup, a basket of bread rolls, Glamorgan cheese and leek sausages, followed by cranachan and shortbread. Relatives were also invited to join their loved ones and share the meal together. The North Devon Nursing Home focuses on providing warm, nourishing meals that support good nutrition, using locally sourced meats and fresh ingredients as part of their everyday menu.
Hatherleigh Nursing Home regularly plans culturally inclusive events
that reflect individual interests and life experiences. These cultural
celebrations encourage social interaction, positive mealtime experience and
wellbeing, while supporting individuals maintain a strong sense of identity.
Using familiar tastes, smells, sounds and textures allows family members to
take part in ways that suit their needs, including those with complexities and
those who may be on a cognitive journey.
If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, please visit https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/live-with-us/activities-in-care/
Thursday, 5 February 2026
The Burton at Bideford launches 75th anniversary year
‘Hubert Coop and Friends: A Legacy of Art and Influence’ invites visitors to explore the rich history of The Burton through a selection of 75 artworks and objects from its collection. Starting with the work of founding artist Hubert Coop and his contemporaries, the exhibition brings together rarely seen objects and artworks from The Burton’s stores including pieces by Bertram Prance, Charles Sims, Gillian Ayres, James Ravilious, Lucie Rie, Mary Stella Edwards, Michael Cardew and Paul Lewin.
The exhibition includes The Burton’s newest acquisition to the collection: Mayflower, All Flowers (2020) by internationally-renowned artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. The purchase of the work was made possible with support from Art Fund, Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and The Friends of The Burton; and marks an important investment in The Burton’s continued mission to bring world-class art to Bideford.
Opening at the end of January, ‘The Annual Schools Exhibition’ showcases the incredible talent, imagination and creativity of young people aged 4-18 from the local area. A calendar highlight at The Burton, the gallery will be filled with hundreds of works submitted by schools in Torridge and neighbouring boroughs, offering a glimpse into the inspirations and concerns of Northern Devon’s next generation of artists.
The exhibition also celebrates the vital work of teachers, and the contribution of art in encouraging innovation and creative thinking across the curriculum. In 2026 The Burton will continue to deliver and develop Burton Futures, it’s programme supporting schools to engage with world-class art through travel bursaries, artist workshops and professional development sessions.
Harriet Cooper, Director of The Burton at Bideford, says:
“We are delighted to launch our 75th anniversary year with two exhibitions that celebrate the past, present and future of The Burton at Bideford. ‘Hubert Coop and Friends’ sees us bring many rarely seen artworks out of our stores to tell the story of The Burton’s collection today. ‘The Annual Schools Exhibition’ is a colourful, joyful reminder of the vital role that art and creativity plays in the lives of children – supporting our next generation of artists in Northern Devon. Together these exhibitions set the tone for us to use this year to reimagine what the next 75-years of The Burton’s journey could look like.”
‘Hubert Coop and Friends: A Legacy of Art and Influence’ runs from 17 January to 15 March 2026 at The Burton at Bideford, EX39 2QQ. Free entry.
‘The Annual Schools Exhibition’ runs from 30th January to 15th March 2026 at The Burton at Bideford, EX39 2QQ. Free entry.
👀👀👀
See www.theburton.org for more details on the exhibitions and accompanying events.
Monday, 2 February 2026
North Devon Care Home unite to send birthday cards after BBC story sparks heartfelt response
A story shared by the BBC this week struck a chord with the team at Heanton Nursing Home, a home in North Devon that supports people with complex needs, prompting an immediate and heartfelt response from everyone in the home.
The article told the story of a little girl called Amelia, who has spent much of her young life in and out of hospital, facing more challenges than any child should have to. The family shared with the BBC how receiving birthday cards would mean a great deal to Amelia, giving her hope and reminding her of the support around her, after she set herself the ambitious goal of receiving 8,000 cards for her 8th birthday in an attempt to break the UK record.
When the team at
Heanton read the piece, they knew straight away they wanted to be involved.
One team member in particular, Noufal, helped spark the idea to get involved. He spoke with the home’s administrator, Sabrina, who quickly took it forward. Within hours, Sabrina was out at the shops, buying one of every birthday card on the shelf so that everyone could take part. As more people joined in, she even went back out again to buy additional cards, making sure no one was left out.
From there, the whole home got behind the idea. Every team member joined in, alongside the people who live at Heanton, fondly referred to as family members by the home.
For many family members, writing birthday cards was just as meaningful as it was enjoyable. For people living with a Dementia, activities like this feel deeply familiar. They draw on life experiences many people have carried with them for years, marking birthdays, choosing kind words and doing something thoughtful for someone else. These are routines many people have carried out throughout their lives, and returning to them can bring a sense of comfort and purpose.
Holding a card, writing a message and signing their name gave family members the chance to connect with a familiar role, that of being a friend, a neighbour, or someone who cares, it allowed them to take part as people with a lifetime of experiences to share, rather than being defined by a diagnosis. The atmosphere was calm, purposeful and full of conversation, with plenty of smiles along the way.
The cards are now all written, sealed and carefully packed, ready to arrive in time for Amelia’s birthday.
Home manager Abigail Denford said: “It was one of those moments where everyone just came together naturally. Our family members loved being involved, and the team didn’t hesitate for a second. It reminded us how powerful small, familiar acts of kindness can be, not just for the person receiving them, but for everyone taking part too.”
Moments like this reflect how important it is to Heanton to stay connected to the community. Whether that’s heading out for a coffee, welcoming neighbours into the home for a BBQ, or even coming together to help make a little girl’s birthday wish come true. These connections matter, because they remind everyone that life at Heanton is lived alongside the world around them, held close rather than set apart.
To read more about
the events and people at Heanton – News & Blogs – Heanton Nursing Home – Devon
Nursing Home
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
North Devon Nursing Home Throws Birthday Dance Party
Edenmore Nursing
Home in Ilfracombe, North Devon, recently held a birthday celebration for one
of its newest family members (the home’s fond term for residents), bringing
people together for an afternoon filled with nostalgic music, dancing, and
homemade cake.
Helen, described
by her daughter as ‘a really fun lady with a wonderful sense of humour’, has
been living at the North Devon Nursing home since December 2025, having moved
into the home following a hospital stay for a period of respite. To mark her 73rd
birthday, the team arranged a celebration in the lounge. Helen wore a sparkly
birthday badge, and everyone sang Happy Birthday as the team presented her with
a homemade cake!
Music from across
the decades set the tone for the afternoon. Songs such as Country Roads and
Let’s Twist Again prompted smiles, singing and movement, with some family
members choosing to dance together in the lounge while others joined in from
their chairs, clapping or singing along.
The celebration
reflected Edenmore’s approach to everyday life in the home, where people are
supported to choose to take part in the ways which feel right for them, whether
that’s being at the centre of the action or enjoying the atmosphere from a
quieter area of the room.
Helen, who has a
real fondness for singing, shared about the day, ‘It was one of the best days I
have had in a long time!’
Home Manager Gayle shared, ‘For us, it doesn’t matter if you’re living in our home for a few weeks as you get back on your feet or moving in longer-term. For the time you are with us, we want you to feel at home, and we will make a fuss about special occasions like birthdays because that’s what makes each person feel loved and cared for.’
Friday, 23 January 2026
SPRING IS NIGH. Birdwatching in North Devon
The birds are getting lively, the Blackbirds are trilling at dawn - I expect they are getting ready for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch which starts today. Here is a beautiful Robin posing for me in the sunshine at Rosemoor last Saturday. Leave a comment if you'll be taking part.
Not sure about the timing, as last year there is heavy rain and another named storm (Storm Ingrid) on the way today in the Southwest which seems to be par for the course for the Big Garden Birdwatch so a good oportunity to have a cup of coffee and count the birds through the window.
My tips to encourage all types of birds to your garden.
Sunflower hearts - Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Sparrows, Blue Tits, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Starlings will take over the feeding stations at this time if year.
Peanuts - Blue Tits, Woodpecker, Sparrows, Chaffinch, Robin
Sunflower Seeds - Bullfinch
Join the world's largest garden wildlife survey 23th-25th January 2026" - Find out more at RSPB
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Annual Schools Exhibition launch event at the Burton at Bideford
The Burton at Bideford Annual Schools Exhibition launches 2026 with a diverse range of artworks showcasing the talent, imagination and creativity of young people aged 4-18 from the local area. With no set theme, the exhibition is a glimpse into the inspirations and concerns of our next generation of artists. It is also a celebration of their teachers and the contribution of art to encouraging creativity and innovation across the curriculum. Submissions are accepted from schools and colleges across Torridge and neighbouring boroughs, and include artworks in a variety of media. An awards programme organised by The Arts Society North Devon spotlights outstanding entries in the exhibition and culminates in an awards ceremony. You are warmly invited to help celebrate the opening of the exhibition at the gallery on Friday 30th January, 4pm–6pm. Speeches at 5pm, refreshments kindly provided by Asda. |
Artwork from 'The Annual Schools Exhibition', 2023. ----------------------------------- Launch Event The Annual Schools Exhibition - Burton at Bideford Friday 30th January, 4pm – 6pm Exhibition dates: 30th January – 15th March 2026 👀👀👀 The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon EX39 2QQ Tel: 01237 471455 open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm Entry to galleries is FREE |
Monday, 19 January 2026
Craft4Crafters & Stitching4All returns to Westpoint in March
If you love stitching, quilting, sewing, textiles, and making of all kinds, you won’t want to miss The Craft4Crafters Stitching4All Show at Westpoint Arena this March.
It’s a brilliant few days of inspiration, shopping, learning, and meeting fellow makers and packed with creative energy and some familiar faces from the world of sewing and craft. Expect an exciting mix of UK craft and textile traders, a huge workshop programme for all abilities, and a fantastic line-up of textile and craft celebrities.
Show Features
An amazing Quilt and Textile Exhibition from South West Quilting groups featuring their new textile challenges
Crafting celebrity Stephanie Weightman who specializes in crafts arts and textiles. Plus local and world renowned textile artists.
BBC Sewing Bee winners and past contestants will be attending, running stands across the show — a great chance to say hello, pick up tips, and discover new ideas for your next project.
Over 60 craft and textile workshops and demonstrations daily, including Easter Workshops, create wonderful gifts for friends and family.
Whether you’re hunting for beautiful fabrics, quilting supplies, tools, patterns, or simply a fresh dose of creative motivation, this is the perfect day out for Devon’s artist and maker community.
The Craft4Crafters & Stitching4All Show at Westpoint Arena
Dates: Thursday 26th – Saturday 28th March 2026
Opening times: 10:00am – 5:00pm daily
Parking: Free parking on site
Full refreshments available,
including a restaurant plus catering and cafés
Saturday, 17 January 2026
Unique Exmoor project exhibition at the Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon
There will be a launch event to celebrate the opening on the exhibition on Friday 23rd January, 5-7pm. All are welcome to join us and special guests for nibbles and a glass of wine or two!
👀👀👀
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
01271 388784 | barnstaplemuseum.org.uk
Entrance is always free.
Monday, 12 January 2026
Sundial Care Home Crafts Christmas Cards for Local School
Sundial Care Home, near Sidmouth Devon, have enjoyed crafting handmade Christmas cards for the children at Tipton St John Primary School as part of their ongoing connection with the local community.
Residents,
who the home fondly refers to as “family members”, took time to craft, stencil
and write messages in the cards, wishing each key stage a Merry Christmas from
everyone at the home. For many, writing and sending Christmas cards has been a
routine part of the festive season, and this activity has encouraged family
members to continue that tradition.
Family
member Marion and team member Liz Hunt took a walk to Tipton St John Primary
School to hand-deliver the cards. Children from the school have visited Sundial
Care Home in previous years at Christmas time to sing carols, and have also made
Christmas and birthday cards, helping to build a familiar and lasting
connection between the two generations. The school is already planning its next
visit, with pupils looking forward to coming into the home to read to the
family members.
These
intergenerational activities support family members in remaining a part of
their community and sharing traditions with local children supports a sense of
purpose, belonging and continued participation in community life.
If you would like to learn more about
Sundial Care Home, please visit https://www.sundialcare.com/activities-in-care/

















