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

Free entry

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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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Barnstaple Reflections. 'This is Me!' Documentary Photography Open 2026 Exhibition

The Documentary Photography Open 2026 is an exhibition of photographs sent in by the public in response to the theme, This Is Me.  The theme asked the public to explore who they are, as people living in North Devon today.  In a world that is constantly changing, where people are constantly moving, the public was invited to reflect on what makes them unique.

To complement the Open, a selection of historic portraits by photographer, James Ravilious, will also be on display. The warmth and affection that Ravilious felt for his subjects shines out, each bringing to life the unique character and personality of each individual.

 

In addition, the exhibition will include photographs taken by GCSE students from Pilton Community College as part of a portrait project run by local photographer, Carole Evans and funded by the Richard and Siobhan Coward Foundation Fund. The ‘Selfies’ to Self-Aware Portrait Project encouraged students to explore what makes a good portrait, how to use low key and natural lighting and consider the question ‘what one word captures what is it to be a young adult in 2025’ in their portraiture.

Bill Cooke in his kitchen, Colehouse, May 1988, James Ravilious © Beaford Arts (All Rights Reserved)

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This is Me! Documentary Photography Open 2026

Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

25th April – 20th June 2026

 

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

Pine martens are 'doing well' after South West releases

Pine martens in the South West of England have begun to produce young and are 'doing well' since their recent reintroduction, say experts. 

In autumn 2024, 15 pine martens were released at secret woodland locations on Dartmoor; while in autumn 2025 a further 19 animals were released at undisclosed spots on Exmoor. The reintroductions were the work of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust.

 

Pine martens had been missing from the region for more than 100 years after having been hunted and trapped to extinction. The animals are the size of a small cat and like to climb trees in search of food which includes wild fruits, mice, grey squirrels, and other small prey.

 

Tracking collars given to each animal before release have allowed the project to monitor their progress. Tracey Hamston is the Two Moors Pine Marten Project Lead. Tracey said:

 

"The collars have meant we can track the animals' movements. The results show that some pine martens stayed close to where they were released, but others travelled some distance, in a few cases more than 20 miles.

 

The Dartmoor pine martens seem now to have settled forming their own individual territories. Some of the Exmoor animals still seem to be mobile but we'd expect most to settle and establish a territory soon.

 

It's been amazing to see where the pine martens have travelled since their release. We can see that they've been thoroughly exploring the landscape before settling into their new woodland homes."    

 

The pine martens' collars are designed to cease to function and drop off after six months. In their place the project is now seeking to track the animals' progress using remote cameras positioned in local woodlands.

 

Last July, one of these cameras recorded images of a female pine marten and her three kits (youngsters) as they moved through a Dartmoor woodland. This was the first proof that the animals had bred successfully.

 

Tracey Hamston said:

"This was the news we were waiting for – proof that the pine martens have established themselves and are doing well. 

 

This year's kits should be being born on both Dartmoor and Exmoor around now. We hope to see evidence of this on our cameras when the kits become more active in May and June."

 

Abby Parravani is Forest Planner at Forestry England. Abby said:

"Forestry England is proud to be a partner in the Two Moors Pine Marten project. The encouraging results from collar tracking and camera trap monitoring are hugely rewarding for all involved in the project. As omnivores and predators, pine martens fulfil an important role in woodland ecosystems, helping to increase the resilience of forests, so we are thrilled that this native species is once again establishing in woodlands in the South West."

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is now appealing to the public to help it keep tabs on the pine martens' whereabouts. It is asking anyone who sees a pine marten in the region to let them know where and when they spot them. The project would especially welcome photos or video of sightings. All records of pine marten encounters can be sent to a dedicated email address: pinemartens@devonwildlifetrust.org   

 

The precise locations of the animals are being kept secret by the project to minimise disturbance.  

 

The project is also keen to hear from woodland owners with wildlife cameras, especially those on or close to Dartmoor and Exmoor, who would be happy to take part in its Woodland Survey.

 

Ali North is the project's Exmoor Field Officer. Ali said:

"Pine martens are a highly mobile species and so they have kept us very busy trying to keep track of them.

 

We're excited to moving into the next phase of our monitoring using camera traps to catch a glimpse into their elusive woodland antics. We hope many landowners will want to get involved in our newly launched woodland citizen science survey to help us track their distribution over time."

Two Moors Pine Marten Project. Photo ©Mark Hamblin 2020Vision (All Rights Reserved)

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Landowners with woodland and who have cameras are being encouraged to contact the project via pinemartens@devonwildlifetrust.org

People can find out much more about pine martens and the Two Moors Pine Marten Project at www.twomoorspinemartens.org

Love April Nature Notes

Well it's still a tad cold but the leaves are daring to come into view. They are celebrating Hanami in Japan. It's Cherry Blossom time in my garden, one of the two trees I planted in pots two years ago has been flowering for a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile there is a lot of action with the birds flitting backwards and forwards, nest building and building a relationship. Our resident 'love birds' love the old Pine to roost, snuggle and pass the time of day (its also where the bird feeders hang) but they are now building their nest in the Hawthorne.

I always have a camera close by as I photograph the birds through the window for my garden diary, I use a long lens this means I'm not disturbing them, they are spooked at the slightest movement. On reflection they may be aware there is a Sparrowhawk around.

Sky News has just flashed up on my iPhone that another storm is on the way so nature is going to take another battering at the most crucial time of year. Looks like the Yellow Weather Warnings are for up North so here's hoping we have a sunny rain-free Easter.

Blue skies and sunshine today though, the Bees are buzzing, seen a Sparrow collecting bits for the nest and the Doves have just had a moment.

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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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Devon Nursing Home Brings Smiles Through Learning

A recent session at Hatherleigh Nursing Home, based in Okehampton, Devon, brought team members together with a local professional, as Nicole from Torrington Dental Surgery led an informal talk focused on the importance of oral care.

Eight team members from across the home were invited to take part, including Care Assistants, Care Practitioners, House Leads and Registered Nurses. The mix of roles meant the skills and knowledge could be shared back across the households within the home. Nicole, who has previously worked in social care shaped the session around everyday practice. Dentures and toothbrushes were shared around as she talked through practical approaches, alongside the importance of preventative care and recognising early signs of discomfort.

The discussion focused on the small things that affect someone’s comfort every day and taking time to really understand them, such as changes in eating, sensitivity or how someone responds during support. By exploring these moments together, the session offered time to revisit everyday approaches and build confidence in recognising and responding to changes early.

It also reflected the value of multi-disciplinary working within the home, bringing together the knowledge of a dental professional with the day-to-day understanding of team members to further strengthen how oral health supports overall wellbeing.

A spokesperson for Hatherleigh Nursing Home said: “We are incredibly thankful to Nicole for sharing her expertise and supporting our ongoing learning and development. Partnerships like these are so valuable in helping us continue to strengthen the care and support we provide every day.”

Nicole from Torrington Dental Surgery all smiles at Hatherleigh Nursing Home

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

Spirit Lifting. Blackthorn Blossom & Wood Anemone

Well the weather has not been kind lately, a freezing strong wind yesterday has 'burnt' the newly emerging leaves in the garden, so I've been looking back in my photo archives to sunnier, warmer Spring days. I photographed this beautiful Spring star on this day in 2018. It was the first Wood Anemone flowering in an ancient woodland on a wildflower walk at Hartland Abbey. I focussed on the petals and pretty yellow stamens and I love the bokeh effect in the background.

Behind the scenes, the spirit lifting Blackthorn blossom is appearing now, the photo below was taken in March 2014. No finer sight than Blackthorn flowering in an ancient Devon hedgerow. It's dotted along field margins and you see it in the hedgerows, green lanes, either side of major and minor roads. Unlike Hawthorne it flowers before the leaves. It also appears as white speckles on coastal cliffsides and in ancient woodland. The black fruit (Sloe berries) are used traditionally to make Sloe Gin. It certainly lifts the spirit 😊

Wood Anemone. Photo © Pat Adams North Devon Focus 

Blackthorn Blossom. Photo © Pat Adams North Devon Focus 

Focus Nature Notes: 

Back then I used the following equipment (both great little cameras at the time, easy, no fuss and light perfect for walking or travelling)

Blackthorn - NIKON 1 V1

Wood Anemone - Canon EOS M5

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"The Wood anemone is named after the Greek wind god, Anemos, who sent his namesakes, the anemones, in early spring to herald his coming. This legend gives the flower its other common name of 'Windflower'. " (Woodlandtrust.org)

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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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Sidmouth Care Home Keeps Active with Fitness Sessions

Sundial Care Home, which sits near the town of Sidmouth, has been enjoying regular exercise sessions with G-Fitness, helping family members (residents) keep moving and stay active.

Instructor Shannon, uses a selection of gentle exercises and games that encourage family members to keep moving and stay engaged. These include activities with red bouncy balls, which family members raise above their heads, throw and catch them, and pass them between one another. Shannon has a natural way of motivating anyone who joins in and often inspires the team to continue encouraging movement with family members even when she is not there.

The sessions are designed to support movement and mobility while also creating an enjoyable atmosphere. Exercise and keeping mobile can help people maintain strength, coordination and confidence, and the sessions offer a simple way for family members to remain active in a way that feels social and uplifting.

One family member who spent many years working as a PE teacher particularly enjoys the sessions, as they reconnect her with something that was once a big part of her life.

The residential care home in East Devon offers a range of regular activities to keep family members engaged in everyday life, including their gardening club, art sessions and community outings, as well as yearly community events held in the home’s three-acre grounds.

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

 

North Devon Nursing Home Dresses Up for World Book Day

Edenmore Nursing Home in North Devon recently marked World Book Day by dressing up as well-known characters from books and sharing Harry Potter-themed cakes.

Team members wore costumes inspired by Where’s Wally, Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland, and there was also a special visit from ‘Dino’ the dinosaur, a purple inflatable dinosaur worn by one of the team!

Those in costume visited all family members (residents) throughout the home, making sure that those who prefer to stay in bed, or are unable to move from bed, were included in the fun. Home Manager Gayle’s grandson, Flynn – whose mum Stacey is also a part of the team – joined in by dressing up and spending time saying hello to everyone. Some family members also chose to take part in dressing up by wearing themed hats.

A table in one of the lounges was set out with a selection of books, including classics such as The Lion King, Peter Pan and Harry Potter. For those living with a Dementia, books from earlier years can sometimes evoke familiar and comforting feelings around reading these books themselves or reading to their children.

Many family members at the home enjoy reading and appreciate simple moments such as a cup of tea and a good book while relaxing in their armchairs by a window in the lounge or conservatory, where they can catch views of the sea.

There were also Harry Potter-themed cakes made especially by the home’s kitchen team which everyone enjoyed.

Home Manager Gayle shared: ‘Everyone loved dressing up as characters, and Dino the dinosaur was a big hit. It was an afternoon of a lot of chatting and laughter!’

Dino the Dinosaur visiting family members

Family Members & Team Members in Lounge & Harry Potter Themed Treats

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

New exhibition opening at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

A new exhibition opening at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon on Saturday 21st March sheds light on the life and work of former Mayor of Barnstaple, Bruce William Oliver, who died 50 years ago this year.

The exhibition, Bruce Oliver: A Grand Old Man of Barnstaple, has been created in collaboration with North Devon Athenaeum and paints a portrait of an accomplished local man as of many talents. In his professional life Oliver was a well-known local architect, but he was also an accomplished artist, photographer, musician, actor, historian, and sportsman.

Bruce Oliver was elected Mayor of Barnstaple in 1931 on the strength of his services to community, charity, and entertainment. He joined the North Devon Athenaeum in 1932 as a board member, and he became Trustee and Chair in 1951. Following his death in 1976, Bruce Oliver left the bulk of his estate to the North Devon Athenaeum – which includes notes, drawings, watercolours, photographic slides and more, including his house, Homestead in South Park, Barnstaple. Some of the items from his estate will be shown as part of this exhibition.

Bruce Oliver: A Grand Old Man of Barnstaple. Photo copyright Bruce Oliver Exhibition (All Rights Reserved)

Bruce Oliver: A Grand Old Man of Barnstaple

21st March – 16th May 2026

All welcome | Admission FREE

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01271 388784 | barnstaplemuseum.org.uk

The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN

 

Planting project reaches its 250,000 tree target

A pioneering community tree project has surpassed its target of planting a quarter of a million trees in Devon.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes was established in 2021 with the aim of restoring huge losses of tree cover caused by the devastating plant disease known as ash dieback. It targeted the replacement of trees outside of woodlands – including hedges, individual trees and orchards. It’s estimated that Devon will lose more than 80% of the many thousands of ash trees, some more than 100 years old.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes was led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum and was supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, One Tree Planted, the Woodland Trust and other partners including Devon County Council, East Devon Council and FWAG South West.

Farmland, parks, gardens, school grounds and community spaces have all benefited from the free trees distributed by the project. All the young trees were native kinds including oaks, hazels, spindle and hornbeam among many other species. Many of the saplings were grown from wild seeds collected in Devon and grown in the project’s two volunteer run tree nurseries – one at Broadclyst in east Devon and the other at Meeth Quarry nature reserve in north Devon.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project formally closes at the end of March after the completion of its funding, but it leaves behind a legacy in the shape of more than 250,000 young trees which will grow to benefit people and wildlife for decades to come.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Michael Rogers has managed the Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project during its last 18 months. Michael said:

“I have worked on landscape-scale conservation projects for nearly two decades, from coastal grasslands on the north coast of Scotland to the dunes of the Carmarthenshire coast in south Wales – however it’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes that has had the biggest impact on me personally and has probably had the most impact on biodiversity too!  

This project has been an incredible success, nurturing and planting more than 250,000 trees, but the real impact will be in several years when those communities and landowners who have been inspired by us to plant or grow their own trees continue the work we started here. That is why this project will have a lasting influence – one that is invaluable in our constant efforts to preserve Devon’s habitats and the species that depend on them for future generations.”

Saving Devon’s Treescapes has touched the lives of hundreds of people having worked with volunteers and communities in every corner of the county.

Alongside tree planting, the project coordinated citizen science projects including an annual Devon Bat Survey and training more than 250 people to record lichens across the countryside. These projects have proved vital in providing important data about key wildlife which have been impacted by the loss of ash trees.

The project has also been able to show off its creative side. It staged public art workshops and commissioned photographer Robert Darch to create a unique photographic record of the landscapes affected by ash dieback and their regeneration through the project (see attached image).

Florence has been volunteering with Saving Devon’s Treescapes for the more than two years. Florence described the impact of the project on her:

“Before volunteering at Saving Devon’s Treescapes’ Broadclyst tree nursery, I had little experience in the nature sector and had never planted a tree in my life. Now I intend to make it my career!

At the nursery, I’ve seen trees go from seed to sapling and have helped them throughout. The nursery has provided the opportunity for me to learn new skills, both from other volunteers and DWT staff. I’ve met like-minded people, spent time outdoors, and cemented my career ambitions: namely, to work at a tree nursery in aid of replenishing our natural world with native tree species. I have found that I truly enjoy every part of the process. Now I’m excited to continue sowing, processing, and planting to aid nature’s recovery!”

Although the Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project is now closing people can find out more about its work and that of Devon Wildlife Trust at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/saving-devons-treescapes

Florence, a volunteer at Saving Devon’s Treescapes Broadclyst tree nursery. Photo copyright Robert Darch (All Rights Reserved)

 Felling diseased ash trees at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Marsland nature reserve, north Devon. Photo copyright Robert Darch (All Rights Reserved)