Summer Exhibition. Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

An exhibition of paintings by Sir Alfred Munnings, former President of the Royal Academy of Arts, capturing the evocative landscapes, people and ponies of Exmoor.

Sir Alfred Munnings and his wife, Violet, escaped the restrictions of their requisitioned Essex home, during the Second World War, by moving to a cottage in the Exmoor village of Withypool. During this period, Exmoor provided a joyful retreat. The oil paintings he produced while there capture the wild beauty of Exmoor through all four seasons. This exhibition showcases his love of Exmoor and its changing landscapes, its people and wild Exmoor ponies. The exhibition brings together art works and selections from Munnings’ published diaries and poetry written while living in Withypool. These offer a rare personal insight into his artistic process, the people he befriended while living there, and his relationship to the land.

 

Our summer exhibition is complemented by a series of events and activities for both adults and children, including En Plein Air sessions in Barnstaple and on Exmoor, and our regular Curious Creators programme of family-friendly artist-led sessions on Wednesdays throughout the school holidays.

Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons

Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN

4th July – 26th September 2026

Website link - Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons – Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

The Story Behind the Nurse, Annapurna’s Journey at Hatherleigh Nursing Home

During International Nurses Week, there’s a common focus on recognising the role of nurses, the responsibility they carry, the decisions they make, and the impact they can have on people’s lives. Behind that are individual stories shaped over time by personal journeys, experiences, support, and the reasons someone chose to care in the first place. This is Registered Nurse Annapurna Thirmalreddy’s story at Hatherleigh Nursing Home.

From a young age, Annapurna was told by her mother “Be brave, stand on your own feet, and learn all types of work”. This advice stayed with her, and when the time came to choose a career, nursing felt like the right path, offering both stability and a sense of purpose.

Annapurna completed her General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) training in 2005 at St. Ann’s Nursing School in India. With a hospital on site, she gained experience across different departments, building the foundations of her practice early on. “They taught me to be diligent and hardworking” she shared, and this is something she has carried with her ever since.

This year for International Nurses Week, the theme is “Empowered Nurses Save Lives”, we asked Annapurna “What does feeling empowered in your role mean to you personally?”

She shared, “Feeling empowered has given me the responsibility to care for, and sometimes even save the lives of those in my care. It’s made me feel stronger and more confident in my professional life.”

This sense of confidence has been built over time, supported by the care community around her. Annapurna describes Hatherleigh Nursing Home as somewhere she has been able to grow, both personally and professionally. The Devon nursing home provides continuous training for team members, offering opportunities to develop and progress in their careers through their Evolve Care Academy.

“Hatherleigh Nursing Home feels like my own home,” she said. “The whole leadership team, including Tamsin, Ashley, Elena, and the QA team who are available day to day are supportive and approachable. I am especially happy and proud to have Ashley as our Home Manager. She is kind, compassionate, and understands everyone’s needs, always offering support.”

However when Annapurna first arrived in the UK, things felt uncertain. “I didn’t know anyone and was struggling to find a place to live and a job for my husband,” she explained. “There were days when I thought about going back to India, but Ashley supported us through that time. She helped my husband find work as a care assistant, and we were able to settle into a nice flat.”

Annapurna was supported to complete her Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and gained her Nursing and Midwifery Council registration (NMC pin), making her a registered nurse in the UK.

Reflecting on that period, she added, “Ashley has played a big part in helping me become the nurse I am today.”

Her experience shows how encouragement can shape not only a nurse’s confidence, but the care they give to others. With the right support around her, Annapurna and her husband were able to build a life in the UK, both now with their own careers and settled into their own home.

Through her role at Hatherleigh Nursing Home, she now supports family members (residents) each day through clinical care, reassurance and advocacy, often acting as a calm and trusted presence during difficult moments.

“Nurses are often the voices for the people we support. We should treat them as though they were our own family” she shared, “Kindness, compassion and empathy are at the heart of nursing.”

We asked Annapurna what advice she would give to somebody starting their nursing career today.

“Be ready to learn, learn from your mistakes and just be happy”.

During this International Nurses Week, Annapurna’s story is a reminder that when nurses feel supported and empowered, that confidence reaches far beyond the individual themselves. It shapes the care, reassurance and advocacy they provide to people and families every single day.

If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, visit: https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/join-our-team/

International Nurses Week: Care Rooted in Compassion

Nursing is often spoken about as one profession, but the day-to-day reality can look very different depending on where a nurse works, who they support and the kind of care being given. While some nurses work in fast-paced hospital environments focused mainly on treatment and recovery, nursing within social care can offer more opportunity to build long-term relationships and support people not just physically, but emotionally and socially too.

As part of International Nurses Week, we spoke to Lucy Hernaman, a social care nurse at Heanton Nursing Home in North Devon. Reflecting on her experiences supporting people living with dementia and complex needs, Lucy shared how working in social care changed her understanding of compassionate nursing and the importance of truly knowing the people you care for.

Lucy, who joined Heanton in 2021, spoke about how different the home felt compared to more traditional and institutional care settings she had previously experienced.

“Heanton is about as far from institutionalised as it could possibly be,” she said. “I wish more nurses had the opportunity to experience placements in homes like this during their training.”

Lucy explained that one of the biggest things she learned was the importance of understanding the emotional and social needs behind a person’s behaviour, rather than simply reacting to the behaviour itself.

“When I first started at Heanton I had very little dementia knowledge,” she said. “I soon found that people behaved a certain way for many different reasons and that it was important to identify those reasons, especially when someone may not have the capacity to tell us themselves.”

She also spoke about the home’s flexible approach to care and supporting people to continue living life in a way that feels natural to them.

“In some places I had worked before, people were expected to fit into the home’s schedule,” Lucy said. “At Heanton, family members are supported to live as they wish. There is no strict routine, and people aren’t made to fit into a mould.”

Lucy described the home’s approach to medication as another area that stood out to her, explaining that understanding distress and recognising early signs of discomfort could often help avoid situations escalating.

“I love Heanton’s stance towards medication and that it is always used as a last resort,” she said. “Far more work and skill goes into meeting a person’s needs than simply managing the after-effects of an incident.”

Speaking about what matters most to her as a nurse, Lucy said human connection remained at the heart of good care.

“The thing I most love about my job is that I am allowed to love the family members as if they were my own family,” she said. “Sometimes that human connection is what makes a person’s day. The people we look after are our equals and this is how we should care for them.”

To read the whole story:  International Nurses Week: Care Rooted in Compassion - Heanton Nursing Home

School Children Visit North Devon Care Home for VE Day

To mark the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), students from Ilfracombe Junior School visited Edenmore Nursing Home to share their World War II projects with family members (residents) living at the home.

The children spent time with different family members, showing them the workbooks they had created as part of their World War II projects, and offering them to family members who wanted to have a closer look through them themselves. The work included historical photographs from the wartime period alongside written sections exploring different aspects of the war.

There were some very special moments throughout the visit. Ann, a family member, was left laughing and smiling when one student shared that the best part about dressing up as an evacuee was not having to wear a school uniform!

Another child proudly told his teacher, ‘I think I’ve made that lady’s day,’ after spending time with Susan, another family member at the home. As the children were leaving, he made sure to say goodbye to Susan and give her a cuddle, something his teacher described as an especially touching moment, as showing affection and interacting so openly with others does not always come easily for him. 

The home also hosted a special VE Day themed party later in the afternoon, with Union Jack decorations, themed cakes, hats and tableware, while members of the team dressed in utility-style clothing and kerchiefs for the occasion. A reminiscence area was created using wartime books, a rotary phone and a typewriter, giving family members the opportunity to look at, touch and interact with recognisable objects from the past which may evoke a sense of connection or recognition.

Isaac, who is ten years old and the grandson of Home Manager Gayle, also spent time at the home speaking with family members about their experiences of the war. Peter, a family member at the home, enjoyed talking to Isaac about rationing during the war, including sugar, meat, butter and clothing, helping him understand what life was like then.

Isaac has been visiting the home since he was just a few months old and continues to enjoy spending time with family members there!

Intergenerational visits like these can be meaningful for both older and younger generations. For older generations, spending time with children can encourage moments of conversation and connection. Talking about things like wartime memories, may help support reminiscence and reinforce a sense of identity and personal history.

For children, visits to care homes can help build understanding of ageing and living with Dementia in a more personal and compassionate way. And rather than learning about history only through books, they are able to hear from people who lived through significant moments in time, helping bring those experiences to life while also encouraging empathy and confidence connecting with older generations.

Bringing children into the home can also help family members feel part of the wider community and younger generations, while creating opportunities for shared experiences, conversation and connection.

Home Manager Gayle shared about the day, ‘It was just amazing. Seeing everyone’s happy faces. Everybody just loved it.’

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast. 

To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Hatherleigh Nursing Home Marks 81st Anniversary of VE Day

Hatherleigh Nursing Home near Okehampton marked the 81st Anniversary of VE Day with their own street party, celebrated in the home’s large Belvedere Household dining area for friends, relatives and family members (residents).

Administrator Tamsin and Sandra, a relative of the home, decorated the space with Union Jack bunting and flags, while tables were set and laid in a red, white and blue colour scheme, topped with themed plates and fanned napkins. The bright colours, decorations and flags to hold and wave gave plenty to look at, touch and interact with as everyone immersed themselves in the celebration.

Kitchen team members Faye, Gurjeet and Sophie prepared a buffet-style spread with an array of party food and “nibbly bits” in true English fashion, which wouldn’t be complete without a selection of cream cakes and scones.

Family members and loved ones also enjoyed a live performance from the home’s regular musical entertainer, Ben Mackenzie, with many singing along to old favourite songs and joining in throughout the afternoon.

Hatherleigh Nursing Home’s VE Day celebration was also the final event held in the Belvedere Lounge before the space undergoes a refurbishment. Speaking about the decorations, the team joked: “We’re having a refurb now, so it meant we could cello tape as much to the walls and ceilings as possible before our new dining room!”

The event was held in recognition of both past and present veterans connected to Hatherleigh Nursing Home, while bringing people together to reflect, reminisce and enjoy British traditions associated with VE Day together.

If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, please visit: https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/lifes-journey-continued-2/

South West collectors bring their unusual collectables for unique display in Devon

The Burton at Bideford celebrates the act of collecting this summer in an exhibition which reveals the hidden objects and stories found in front rooms, home museums and storage spaces across the South West of England.

This year marks the 75^th anniversary of The Burton and its long history of caring for collections of art, heritage and curiosities. The act of collecting is almost universal – evident throughout human history from the Stone Age to the modern day – and collections can be found everywhere from the back rooms of private abodes to national museums.

 

Through an open call, The Burton invited members of the public to share their own personal stories of collecting - asking them what they collect and if they would be willing to show it off to the world. Almost 70 submissions were received from collectors of all ages based across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, covering a vast range of objects including skateboards, pottery, bottle openers, fine art, handbags, glass bottles, matchboxes, tools, musical instruments, trading cards, comics, shells and vintage toys.

 

Taking over The Burton’s galleries this summer, ‘What We Keep’ presents a selection of these collections in a joyful exhibition which tells the tales of how they were formed and the collectors who care for them. The accompanying events programme will include tours and talks which bring the exhibition to life and celebrate the hidden collector inside all of us.

 

Abi Obene, Curatorial Coordinator at The Burton and curator of ‘What We Keep’ says:

 

“What We Keep’ is a celebration of our shared impulse to collect and the personal worlds we make with the objects around us. What we choose to surround ourselves with is part of who we are – it’s our life experiences, beliefs, loves, fascinations and hobbies. It’s putting bits of ourselves on shelves, leaving fingerprints on what might only be precious to us, and squirreling ourselves away in attic spaces and cellars to cheer ourselves up on a rainy day. That’s what life and living is and what it’s all about: things, stuff and us.”

 

The Burton itself was originally established to house the personal collection of artist Hubert Coop RBA, and its holdings now contain many other collections put together by passionate individuals. This includes The Christine Halstead Collection of Studio Pottery, Arthur McTaggart Short’s collection of calling card cases and The RJ Lloyd Collection of North Devon Slipware.

The Collectors featured above are:

*Alan Edward Roberts and his collection of 80s hip hop memorabilia, photo by Carole Evans 2026.

*Fiona Balfour and her collection of rocking horses, photo by Carole Evans 2026.

*Kim Jones and her collection of tins containing mini collections, photo by Carole Evans 2026.

*Rachel Ward and her collection of handbags, photo by Carole Evans 2026.

What We Keep, images from the collection at The Burton at Bideford

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‘What We Keep: The Art of Collecting’ runs from 9the May – 19th July 2026 at The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ. Free entry. For more details see www.theburton.org or get in touch at info@theburton.org.  

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Opening Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday 10am–5pm

Sunday 11am–4pm

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Frome Nursing Home Visits Local College

Frome Nursing Home Manager Sherin Anup visited Frome Community College recently alongside Care Practitioner Kat Wilcox, to open up a conversation to the young audience about a career in care, a path that isn’t always the first one people think of when leaving school.

They talked through fair pay across all ages, explaining that rates are the same whether someone is 16 or 21 and above. The conversation also covered the different roles within the home, not just care, but activities, domestic, administration, maintenance and catering roles, giving a clearer picture of how many different paths there are in care. Kat shared during the presentation, “There is a role for everyone, many people think that working in a care home is just one role, but there are so many different career pathways at Frome Nursing Home.”

At the end of the 2 hour talk, students were given pens with the home’s name on, and one teacher shared that a former student had volunteered in a care home and came away feeling appreciated for simply being himself. He is since considering a career in care!

This visit to the local community college was a way of showing that these kinds of roles exist locally, and that a career in care is something they can explore within their own community.

To learn more about life at Frome Nursing Home or to arrange a visit, please visit

 https://fromecarevillage.com/contact-us/

Ilfracombe Ukulele Pluckers bring Musical Afternoon to North Devon Care Home

Recently at Edenmore Nursing Home in North Devon, the afternoon was filled with the sound of music as the home was visited by the Ilfracombe Ukulele Pluckers.

Family members (residents) who wanted to listen to the performance gathered in one of the home’s lounges. There was a great turnout, with a number of family members who often prefer to keep to themselves, or stay in the comfort of their own spaces, choosing to join in.

The Ukulele Pluckers played songs from different eras and even repeated some favourites. There was lots of singing along from the team and family members. Harry, Diana and Susan got up to dance in front of the performers, with Susan up and dancing for an hour and encouraging rounds of applause at the end of songs!

Susan also stood by another family member, who preferred to sit, during a number of songs, and helped her to join in by taking her hand and swaying with the music. She also got the chance to try out playing one of the ukuleles at the end of the performance. Peter, another family member, also stood up to be closer to the Ukulele Pluckers, singing alongside them for a while as though he was part of the band himself.

It was a really special afternoon that brought everyone together to enjoy tunes from decades past and get a few feet tapping and dancing.

Music can be very powerful for people who are living with a Dementia or are on a cognitive journey. Rhythm and melody activate parts of the brain linked to emotion, movement and long-term memory, so although someone might struggle to recall a recent conversation, they can sometimes still remember the words or beat to a song from years ago.

The Ilfracombe Ukulele Pluckers shared about their visit, ‘Our afternoon at Edenmore was heart-warmingly memorable. We carefully chose songs that we hoped the residents would enjoy. Luckily, we picked some favourites, as we had residents tapping their feet, dancing and singing along. We just hope we brought as much joy to you all, as you gave to us. Thanks for the warm welcome, yummy cakes and laughter, we hope to see you again soon!’

Edenmore is also currently undergoing a number of refurbishments, with a newly completed lounge and dining room with kitchenette recently opening on the home’s first street (floor). It is the first of several projects taking place throughout the home, helping to give the environment a fresh new feel for the people who live, visit and work there. Refurbishments on a second lounge have also now begun, with the home looking forward to holding future events and performances within these new spaces.

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast. To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Tipton St John Care Home Hosts Easter Event for Families and Community

A care home near Sidmouth recently celebrated Easter with its own Easter Extravaganza event.

The residential care home in Tipton St John invited relatives, friends and members of the local community to attend, with team members also bringing their families to join. The event had been planned for the home’s three-acre gardens, but due to unpredictable Devon weather, it moved indoors, with visitors gathering in the lounge and dining room. “It was very cosy!” a team member said.

Blue Sky Busking, a two-man band who raise donations for charities including Save the Children, performed during the afternoon, with family members (residents) and visitors singing along and getting up to dance. The pair kindly gifted the home their CD, to which family member Pat was thrilled, and insisted an announcement was made to say thank you for their brilliant performance.

Activities took place throughout the home, including Easter crafts, a sunflower sewing station and an Easter egg hunt, which the home had over 90 crème eggs for the day! Easter Bunny (team member Rebecca) handed out eggs to all in the lounge, as well as to family members who were in their bedrooms, ensuring everyone in the home was included.

Councillor of Ottery St Mary, Janice Aherne who visited with her family shared:

“Three generations of my family, all living in the village joined Sundial Care Home’s Easter Extravaganza. With varied Easter related activities (including chocolate), the grandchildren enjoyed colouring and making pictures with an assortment of Easter craft materials. There was a very friendly and homely atmosphere under the guidance of Home Manager Liz Thompson and her team. A lovely afternoon had by all.”

Sundial Care Home’s Easter event brought together relatives, team members and the wider village, strengthening connections between the home, families and the local community.

 

If you would like to learn more about Sundial Care Home, please visit https://www.sundialcare.com/activities-in-care/

This Is Me: New photography exhibition celebrates the people of North Devon

The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon’s annual Documentary Photography Open exhibition opens this April featuring works submitted by members of the public in response to the theme, ‘This Is Me’.

The exhibition provides a fascinating insight into who the people of North Devon are today. Alongside contemporary photographs, the museum will display a collection of historic portraits by acclaimed photographer and documenter of North Devon life, James Ravilious.

The museum’s long-standing annual Documentary Photography Open is open to both amateur and professional photographers. This year’s open introduced a dedicated category for 14-18 year olds for the first time, aiming to capture the voices and perspectives of younger people in North Devon.

The exhibition also features photographs taken by GCSE students from Pilton Community College. These images were created as part of a ‘Selfies to Self-Aware Portrait Project', facilitated by a local artist and funded by the Richard and Siobhan Coward Foundation Fund.

Alison Mills, Director of the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, said: “Our annual Documentary Photography Open is an exhibition truly shaped by local people and a highlight of our year! This year’s theme, This Is Me, asked people to explore their own identity and place in a fast-moving world – it asked them to share their own personal story through the medium of photography.

“Museums are storehouses for stories past and present, and part of our mission is to tell as many of those stories as possible. We also welcome the opportunity to share photographs by James Ravilious from our collection. They capture the spirit of our region from a not-so-distant past and never fail to move and delight.”

'This is Me'. Prom dresses are useless if you only ever go to muddy fields. Photo © Nell Savage (All Rights Reserved)

The Documentary Photography Open exhibition opened on the 25th April and runs until 20th June 2026.

The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm. Entrance is free.

Website link - This is Me! Documentary Photography Open 2026 – Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

 

01271 388784 | barnstaplemuseum.org.uk

The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN

Wendy’s Story: A Former Teacher Now Living at Heanton Nursing Home

With National Teachers’ Day approaching in early May, it feels especially fitting to celebrate Wendy, a teacher whose life was shaped by language, learning and a deep belief in helping others grow.

Wendy spent her entire working life in secondary schools as a French teacher. Over the years she grew in her career, becoming Head of Languages and later Deputy Head, all while continuing to teach the subject she loved most. In the evenings she taught A-Level French, exploring French literature with her students.

French was her true speciality. She spoke it fluently, though she could also step in to teach Spanish and German when needed. She was described as a strict but fair, the kind of teacher who expected the best but always believed her students could achieve it.

Many of those lessons extended far beyond the classroom walls. Wendy was always happy to join the French exchanges, travelling with her students to Argences and exploring towns across the Normandy region. These trips suited her perfectly, as history is also a passion of hers.

On many of those trips she was accompanied by her lifelong friend and colleague, Jenny.

Jenny had travelled to France with the school many times, even though she had never taken French as a GCSE. One day Wendy simply said to her, “Well, you keep coming to France, you really should have your GCSE.”

So, Wendy taught her.

With Wendy’s guidance, Jenny went on to achieve an A*. It was a small but perfect example of the kind of teacher Wendy was. Someone who quietly believes people are capable of more than they think.

Today Wendy lives with Alzheimer’s at Heanton Nursing Home. The condition may change many things, but her identity remains beautifully clear.

At Heanton, there is a belief that life doesn’t end when someone moves into care, it carries on. The focus is on understanding the person behind the diagnosis, so that even as things change, there is still meaning, familiarity and a sense of home in the everyday.

You might find her marking a set of mock papers the team have printed for her, carefully looking through them just as she did for years in school. If your shoes aren’t quite right, she might gently tell you off if they don’t quite look like proper uniform. And if you meet her, you may well find yourself calling her Miss Harris.

There is almost always a book nearby. Wendy has always loved reading, particularly English literature, and she is often happiest sitting quietly with a book in hand or spending time doing arts and crafts, whether that’s during the day or when joining the homes monthly sessions with Ruth Bateman.

To read more about the events and people at Heanton News & Blogs - Heanton Nursing Home - Devon Nursing Home

Happy Earth Day from North Devon

We can't save the world but we can do a little to help the environment, the natural world and wildlife and we can help by planting wild flowers and making sure they are preserved in their natural environment. 'No Mow May' will hopefully help with this, our local Devon councils have done a great job over the past couple of years leaving the wildflowers to flourish by the roadsides.  

Here is a photo of a tiny little wildflower predominant (but hiding in plain sight) in hedgerows, woodlands, green lanes and roadside borders leaving mile after mile of bounty for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

The Common Dog-violet flowers from April to June and is the food source for High-Brown Fritillary Butterfly caterpillars. I had a little look in the leaves and petals in the banks beside the path through an ancient woodland the other day but did not see any. 

According to Butterfly Conservation "The High Brown Fritillary was once widespread in England and Wales but since the 1950s has undergone a dramatic decline. It is now reduced to around 50 sites where conservationists are working to save it from extinction."

FACT CHECKING

What would we do without Google and Wikepedia

TAP HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION -  

"A world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever." 

TAP HERETO VISIT WOODLAND TRUST for more information on the Common Dog Violet (Viola riviniana)

TAP HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT EARTH DAY

Nursing Home Turns Reception Area into Sweet Shop and Café

Hatherleigh Nursing Home near Okehampton, Devon, has re-vamped what was once its reception area, turning it into a sweet shop and café. The space now features shelves of traditional sweet jars alongside a small coffee area where drinks can be made and enjoyed, creating another place to sit and make a hot drink beyond the kitchenettes within each household.

The idea grew from a family member (resident) who previously ran her own sweet shop. She now spends time in the space with others, surrounded by something that still feels recognisable. The team worked with The Puzzled Sweet Shop in Dawlish to bring the idea to life, sourcing jars and a selection of classic sweets from the local business.

Jars line the shelves filled with liquorice all sorts, jelly beans, chocolate mice, peppermint creams and other traditional favourites. A vintage-style scale is used as sweets are weighed out into white or classic pink striped paper bags.

The space has quickly become part of everyday life in the home, with people stopping by throughout the day. Some pause in front of the jars, taking their time to choose, while others sit nearby with a drink and watch as bags are filled and passed across the counter.

For some, it brings back the experience of stopping at the local shop, whether that was after school with friends or later taking their own children at the weekend, choosing sweets from behind the counter — something many remember as a familiar part of daily life. It has introduced a setting that feels recognisable, while also offering a place for relatives and visitors to pause when they arrive.

The change reflects a wider focus on the spaces people use each day and the routines that continue within them. By understanding each person’s history, preferences and habits, support is shaped around the individual, with family members continuing to live in a way that feels familiar to them.

 

If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, please visit https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/lifes-journey-continued-2/

The Burton at Bideford awarded a grant to transform public access to its ceramic collection

The Burton at Bideford has been awarded a grant of £86,500 from The DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund to help transform public access to one of the leading ceramic collections in the South West of England.

The funding is part of the £4 million contributed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Wolfson Foundation in 2025-27 to support museums and galleries across England to improve displays, protect collections and make exhibitions more accessible to visitors.

Due to open in Spring 2027, The Ceramic Futures project will see The Burton’s collection of over 1,000 ceramic works moved to a new bespoke gallery space on the ground floor of the building. The improved facilities will significantly increase public access to the collections, bringing important works out of storage to tell the story of Bideford’s ceramic heritage and future.

Bideford’s pottery heritage is central to the town’s identity, with North Devon known as one of England’s most important locations for slipware – a style recognised for its warm glazes and intricate sgraffito designs scratched into white slip over red clay.

As The Burton celebrates its 75^th birthday in 2026, Ceramic Futures is part of a series of projects that aim to reimagine how collections can be shared with and used by current and future communities in Torridge. It will create new accessible resources for schools and community groups, and include a space for contemporary commissions, exhibitions and acquisitions that connect The Burton’s historic collections to vital conversations today.

Warren Collum, Exhibitions and Collections Manager at The Burton at Bideford said:

“Receiving this funding is essential to enabling us to present the story of North Devon ceramics with the depth and clarity it deserves. Not only will it strengthen our ability to communicate the significance of The Burton’s collections and their place within a wider cultural and historical context. It also provides a valuable opportunity to bring important works out of storage and into public view, ensuring they can be properly seen, studied, and inspire the next generation.”

Harriet Cooper, Director at The Burton at Bideford said:

“This exciting gallery improvement is a catalyst for how we can transform our local community’s relationship to our collections, creating a new context to explore the relevance these objects have to life today. We aim to celebrate Bideford’s ceramic heritage while also looking to the future and our aspirations to support new acquisitions, ambitious partnerships and creative skills opportunities for young people in the town.”

The Burton’s ceramic collections include the RJ Lloyd Collection of North Devon slipware which comprises over 500 works spanning 300-years, and the Christine Halstead Collection of over 400 pieces of studio ware, providing an insightful introduction to the South West region’s ceramic heritage. Since 2020 an annual Artist in Residence programme has supported contemporary artists like Connor Colston, Florence Dwyer and Simon Bayliss to make new work in response to these collections.

If you would like to stay up to date about Burton 2101: Ceramic Futures please sign up to The Burton’s newsletter at www.theburton.org.   

North Devon Harvest Jug, Robert Fishley, 1837

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The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ

(e) info@theburton.org   (t) 01237 471455 (w) www.theburton.org

 Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am–5pm - Sunday 11am–4pm

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Focus Nature Notes - April firsts

Well the rain and wind has been back today but yesterday I had sunlit walk on what the weather report said was one of the warmest early April days in 80 years.

Nothing like a wander through an ancient woodland or along a nature trail looking for signs of life, wildflowers and wild things. At this time of year Primroses and Lesser Celandine are out and the Bluebells and Wild Garlic are just rising ready for May days.

On my walk I spotted Dandelions and Daisies and one Red Campion - The collage below shows some of the flora I spotted:

• Herb Robert
• Dog Violet
• Primroses
• Lesser Celandine
• Ramsons
• Dogs Mercury
• Greater Stitchwart
• Alexander
• Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage.

The 'ancient, soon to be no more' trees have taken a battering in the past few years but that hasn't deterred the birds and the many different calls and response bring joy to the heart. I always feel Spring/Summer is on the way when I hear the Chiff Chaff. 

There were a number of bees buzzing around and I spotted the first Brimstone, three Speckled Wood butterflies and a Peacock which seems to love basking in the sun on the same bit of path every year. I just caught sight of one of the Speckled Wood landing on the stump of a recently felled tree.

I miss the overhanging branches of the old trees on either side of wooded valley.

Wildflowers in an ancient woodland - Photo © Pat Adams

Proud as a Peacock Butterfly basking in the April sunshine - Photo © Pat Adams

For the record. Early arrival of one of the first Swallows having a well-earned break after that long  trip from Africa before the nest building begins > View Short on my YouTube Channel

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Fact Checking...
what would we do without Google and Wikipedia

 

"Wednesday, 8 April 2026, was an exceptionally warm day in the UK, marking the hottest day of the year so far and one of the warmest early April days in 80 years".(google)

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North Devon Focus. Watching the changing seasons throughout the year, looking out and photographing events, nature, wildlife and places while walking on the North Devon coast and in the countryside. 
All photos/articles copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)

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