The Burton at Bideford seeks new Trustees to help grow the arts and culture in North Devon

The Burton at Bideford has been a registered charity since 2016 and is currently looking to recruit new Trustees to the Board.

With North Devon highlighted as a priority area by the government for arts funding, there’s no better time to get involved.

The role of Trustee is very rewarding, providing an opportunity to give something back to your local community and the arts in the South West. We are happy to receive applications from experienced Trustees or those who are new to the role of Trustee.

The Burton would particularly like to receive applications from potential Trustees with an interest in and experience of the arts, and with a fundraising, finance, legal or education background. However, applications are welcome from anyone who feels that they have skills and experience to offer the Burton.

The Burton also welcome applications from people who are currently underrepresented in the UK arts sector. This includes those who identify as D/deaf, disabled, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent; those from lower socio-economic backgrounds or living or working in areas of socio-economic deprivation; as well as people from diverse ethnic backgrounds and marginalised groups.

As well as being a registered charity, the Burton also became an Arts Council Funded National Portfolio Organisation in 2018 and has recently had confirmation of another three years of funding for 2023-2026. We pride ourselves on offering an exciting programme of exhibitions as well as a wide range of other activities including developing educational work, outreach activities, workshops, supporting local artists, volunteers and making the Burton a wonderful place to visit for the whole community as well as visitors to the area.

We are looking for three new Trustees to join our Board.  

Full details including how to apply is available on our website:

www.burtonartgallery.co.uk/vacancies 

Queries about the role should be directed to chair@theburton.org

The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum are open daily. Admission is free.
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The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon EX39 2QQ 

Community Spirit. Get ready for an action-packed Bideford Soapbox Derby 2022

We have all seen the one on T.V, well get ready for Bideford’s very own version of the Soapbox Derby packed with all the spills and thrills, carnage and calamities that come with a derby. Come and witness man and his handbuilt machine battle it out to be crowned champion of the steep Bideford High Street course, whilst skilfully driving up, over and around stratigically placed obstacles all in aid of charity.

With a stage, live music, food, drink and stalls for all to enjoy come along, watch the action unfold and be a part of BSBD amazing journey and enjoy the “jaw dropping” action for free!

Bideford Soapbox Derby 19th June 2022 from 12 until finish
In aid of a great charity ChemoHero.

The fantastic photos showing the real community spirit of the colourful event above were captured at the 2021 event by Andy Francis, Tarkography

To Enter please email for an application pack: it is filling up fast.
If you want a stall, sponsor the event or have an advert in our program please
Email bidefordsoapboxderby@gmail.com

Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo credit Andy Francis

Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo credit Andy Francis

Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo credit Andy Francis

Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo credit Andy Francis

About Bideford Soapbox Derby
This is a community event raising funds for ChemoHero. The event would not be possible without the support from family, friends, volunteers, businesses and everyone involved! ,

 

Contact BSBD

Email: bidefordsoapboxderby@gmail.com

EVENTBRITE - TAP HERE FOR TICKETS 

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Twitter: @bidefordsoapbox

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Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - All photos copyright Andy Francis Tarkatography (All Rights Reserved)

SEASON'S GREETINGS

Merry Christmas and a Happier New Year to everyone. Thank you all for your support, comments, likes and follows over the past year. Roll on 2021 it can only get better. Cheers Pat 

Thank you to the NHS, keyworkers and all those who have kept on working and keeping us safe in the towns, on the coast and in the countryside through this pandemic.

Bideford: Little White Sparkly Town December 2020. Photo credit B. Adams.

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Pat Adams North Devon Focus 

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North Devon Focus. Looking back on a colourful 2018

NORTH DEVON COAST AND COUNTRY CHRONICLE 2018.
A colourful reminder of the year around the Bideford Bay area and Exmoor.
Looking forward to a bright and beautiful 2019 on the North Devon Coast. Thanks for visiting and following.

Glad Tidings from Bideford

Season's Greetings from the North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle

Thank you for visiting

Here's hoping for another "Event"ful year in 2019

🎄🎅🤶Merry Christmas🎄🎅🤶

Happy Holidays

Santa Calls at Bideford - Photo credit B. Adams

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Explore the Coast and "Country"side of Bideford Bay with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

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Bursting with life. A country walk on the North Devon Coast

I love it when the sun breaks through the trees. I always try to capture a sunburst and I try even harder not to look into the sun to do it.

It was as warm as a Summer's day on the North Devon Coast today. I think it may have made it into the record books as one of the hottest October days for some time. 

As I wandered down the track towards the coast there was a lot of leaf fall, not much fall colour. The old Beech leaves are still green, I normally wait until November for the leaves to turn. Looks as though the National Trust have been working hard mowing the coastal meadows and clearing up the Bracken. The old Apple Tree must have weighed heavy with apples, lots of juicy red ones now lying on the ground important for birds, bugs and wildlife stocking up for the winter. The newly renovated orchard now has a seat and will make a magical resting place for tired walkers. I miss the flowering then berry-filled Hawthorn but the plus side of losing that will be the sight of apple blossom in the years to come.

There was one huge fungi on the trunk of one of the old Beech trees last year, this year they are climbing up the trunk, mycelium at its best or worst if they are damaging the tree.

It was really hot on the coast path overlooking Bideford Bay and there were a few wildflowers still blooming beside the track. Devil's Bit Scabious, Red Campion, Fumitory, Autumn Hawkbit, Hawkweed and Yarrow. A few solitary bees but my attention was taken by a movement on the Yarrow,  a wonderfully fluttery teeny butterfly, a Small Copper. I watched the other day as a pair were dancing together in ,the permaculture garden at Tapeley. A fleeting moment, then it was gone, much like the Sunburst. (Article Pat Adams 10/10/2018)

 

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All articles and photos copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus (All rights reserved)

Changing the ring TONE of the iconic RED telephone box

Ringing the changes for the iconic RED telephone box aka Kiosk No 2 and K6 are as British as cream teas and the royal family. Now in decline due to mobile phones they are being converted to house defibrillators and to charge those mobile phones which is great but do you think changing the ring TONE is a step too far! 

Shot of the recently painted box at Horns Cross between #bideford and #clovelly on the A39. If you know if this one contains a defibrillator or mobile phone charger leave a comment.

Photo copyright Pat Adams.North Devon Focus (All Rights Reserved)

North Devon Connections. From Bristol to Bucks Mills

I so enjoy watching "Great Canal Journeys" with Timothy West and Prunella Scales. This week, as they were bobbing on the floating harbour at Bristol, the historic Schooner Kathleen and May sailed by. Leaving their canal boat they enjoyed a trip on The Matthew of Bristol then made the crossing from Clevedon to Ilfracombe aboard the Waverley Paddle Steamer, both vessels are regular visitors to North Devon The Kathleen and May was purchased by Steve Clark, OBE in 1999. It was restored and berthed in Bideford until 2010. Tim and Pru finally made a nostalgic trip to Bucks Mills and Johns Cottage where Prunella spent her childhood during the war. They were welcomed back to Bucks Mills at St. Anne’s Church by Chris Braund and 90 year old Conrad William James. At one time, almost every resident was related to the Braunds. King Cottage was once the home of the "King of Bucks", Captain James Braund.

Beyond the gate John's, Bucks Mills,- Photo copyright Pat Adams

The Lime Kiln and the steep walk down to the  beach at Bucks Mills - Photo copyright Pat Adams

King Cottage at the top of the hill - Artists Judith Ackland and Mary Stella Edwards used the Cabin on the left as their studio - Photo copyright Pat Adams

 Tap here for more information on Bucks Mills and it's history
  Catch Up Channel 4 Great Canal Journeys

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The Waverley is the world’s last sea going paddle steamer

The Matthew of Bristol is a replica of the 15th century caravel that John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1497.

The Kathleen and May Schooner was purchased and towed to Brunswick Wharf, East-the-Water, Bideford then restored by Steve Clark in 1999. As a result of his efforts in this restoration he was awarded the OBE in 2008. Since 2010 Kathleen & May has been berthed in Albert Dock beside Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Casting off down the cobbles. Clovelly Yarn Bomb set to make a colourful July

Visit Clovelly during the month of July and enjoy discovering the yarn-bombed areas of the famously picturesque fishing village
 

The *tight-knit* community of Clovelly residents have been busily preparing a ‘blooming’ lovely project ~ yarn-bombing the village, with the help of people from all over the UK & abroad, who are donating beautiful yarn samples!
 

Celebrity Design Guru Laurence Llewelyn Bowen is pictured with his white knitting which will have pride of place in a very special, secret feature of the Clovelly Yarn Bomb which will be revealed in July!
 

The village will look even more colourful than usual, with knitted donkeys, seaside garlands and crocheted ‘cobble-cosies’ plus much more. This unusual project is part of Clovelly's entry to the ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition and is in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.
 

Yarn Bombing is a type of street art that employs colourful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn rather than paint or chalk. Yarn installations can be easily removed if necessary.
 

Co-ordinated by Clovelly Silk in conjunction with the Clovelly Community Gardening Group
 

Clovelly is a place which people all over the world hold very dear to their hearts and thanks to social media, the group are inviting people to donate knitted and crocheted samples and contribute to this unusual project.
 

The Clovelly Silk workshop is offering a centre-piece for some very special knitted work indeed. Not to be missed, the breathtakingly beautiful and inspiring knitted creations of Alison Murray, All2Knit, will be on display at Clovelly Silk, in the Craft Yard, which is situated next to the Donkey Stables. Alison Murray has worked tirelessly to inspire her team of local knitters, who have created awe-inspiring pieces which have travelled the UK and abroad, raising money for charity.
 

In October 2012 Clovelly suffered a flood. As a torrent of muddy water rushed down the famous cobbled street, it left a trail of destruction. The misery of the flood failed to dampen the spirits of Clovelly residents and as people pulled together, Clovelly Community Gardening Group was formed. The clean up and recovery was so swift and profound that Clovelly entered the annual South West In Bloom competition. A regional competition which is part of Britain in Bloom, the largest horticultural campaign in Europe. Taking part in the competition has inspired many exciting projects over the past few years with a real emphasis on the pride and community spirit which is so strong in Clovelly.
 

Our chosen charity is Devon Air Ambulance Trust. As a village which is difficult to access, we are acutely aware of the invaluable work that the service provides. The D.A.A.T. helicopters are able to get to most of Devon within 10 minutes and the whole of Devon within 15. It now costs £5.5million every year to keep Devon’s two Air Ambulances operational.

Clovelly Yarn Bomb

in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust

From the 1st - 31st July

Clovelly village, North Devon 

Normal admission charges apply. 
oooOooo
ABOUT
Clovelly Silk

All2Knit
ClovellyDevon Air Ambulance Trust 

A Taste of the Sea. Down along Clovelly

Make a date in your diary for the Clovelly Seaweed Festival in aid of the North Devon Hospice.  Its launch in 2015 was a great success and the fun will be repeated this year on the 12th June. Clovelly's Seaweed Festival is held to promote seaweed for its immense health and nutritional benefits as it is hugely versatile. The Quay kitchens down along Clovelly Harbour will be preparing a surprising variety of dishes and stalls will be selling a range of seaweed products along with demonstrations, crafts and talks.

There will also be plenty of entertainment for both adults and children to enjoy, such as Seaweed foot spa's and massage, Sciency workshops with Sarah Hotchkiss from CyberColloids exploring the types and uses of seaweeds, The National Trust & North Cornwall seaweeds craft activities (bring your own plastic bottle to make an under the sea miniatuere garden), Facepainting & Henna tattoo's. The Seaweed Health Foundation will provide information on the benefits of human food quality seaweed for food and health. Also Emma Gunn will be doing talks, providing tasters and the chance to buy a signed copy of her book.

There’ll be street entertainers and live music throughout the day which is included in the admission charges. 

You will be amazed at the world of seaweed. Bring your own and ask the experts what is the best use for your particular selection.

Also from 3pm the New Inn will be hosting an afternoon street tea-party, in celebration of the Queens 90th! With Cream teas, sandwiches, "make your own bunting" arts & crafts and live music! 

A Taste of the Sea. A selection of photos from Clovelly Seaweed Festival 2015 by P. Adams

Clovelly Seaweed Festival, Sunday 12th June 2016
Clovelly Harbour,
10 am to 5 pm
For further details contact Clovelly Visitor Centre. 

Tel: 01237 431781.- www.clovelly.co.uk
Clovelly News and Events

Beach Safety and Barrel Jellyfish. Look but don't touch!

I spotted this critter on the strandline on the beach at Westward Ho! yesterday. It was a beautiful day just after high tide, the blue waters of the ebbing tide lapping on the shore. At first I thought it was a plastic bag but on closer inspection I realised it was a huge jellyfish. It has been confirmed by the Marine Conservation Society as a #barreljellyfish which have been recently highlighted in the local press recently and the advice is to look but don't touch as they have a painful sting. If you see any of these in the water or washed up on shore please report your sightings at the Marine Conservation Society Website.

 Barrel Jellyfish sighted 10th June 2015 - Photo copyright Pat Adams (All rights reserved)

 Ebbing Tide at Westward Ho! - Photo copyright Pat Adams (All rights reserved)

Click here to read the North Devon Journal's article about the Giant Barrel Jellyfish

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Wikepedia Stub - Rhizostoma pulmo, commonly known as the barrel jellyfish, the dustbin-lid jellyfish or the frilly-mouthed jellyfish

Green Lanes and Green Fields

A Green Lane is a hedged path between fields. This Green Lane is managed by the North Devon National Trust. Worthygate Woods beyond are a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the area forms part of the North Devon Coast AONB. This is a totally unspoilt stretch of the Hartland Heritage Coast between Bucks Mills and Peppercombe. Little changes here which is good for the birds, wildlife, wild flowers, insects and butterflies. Tap here for the North Devon Focus photos taken on one day in May about ten years ago. There is a circular walk from the car park at Bucks Mills just off the A39 at Bucks Cross. You can walk through ancient woodland on this stretch of the Southwest Coast Path then leave the path to explore a Green Lane banked by traditional Devon hedgerows with glimpses of stunning views across green fields over Bideford Bay.

Photo Pat Adams
Posted by North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle on Friday, May 29, 2015

Hailstones and High Paths

It's the same every year, just when you think it's Spring and time to relax, nature throws a few curve balls. or hailstones as it was today. It was freezing, deceptive, it looked so warm and sunny but in the space of half an hour we had endured three seasons in one. Nevertheless it was great to be out so I could see what Mother Nature has been doing in the wooded valley above Bideford Bay. Not much to speak of as yet, spotted a sprinkling of Primroses, a couple of Dog Violet and a single Red Campion. The first flowering Alexander complete with Yellow dung-fly and abundant Spring Beauty with their huge heart-shaped leaves glistening with rain drops. The ancient trees have taken a beating over the winter but are at last bursting into life. The old track has taken a beating too, looking more like a highway now that the verges either side have been flattened so much so that the wild garlic spears look like lettuce sticking out of an overfilled salad sandwhich..There is minimal traffic allowed here, thank goodness,  just the holidaymakers at the cottages and work vehicles but even so absolutely no consideration seems to be given to the delicate flora. The drivers are wandering further and further over the verges, the huge wheels churning up, then pounding the ground. Last year the wall on the ancient bridge was badly damaged and had to be rebuilt, and today I was sad to see that there is a hole and a crack on the other side. A little "driving with due care and attention" pretty please! Walked along the South West Coast Path beside Peppercombe Meadows and watched the billowing clouds over Clovelly and Gallantry Bower. I never get tired of the ever-changing view across Bideford Bay. Articles and photos copyright Pat Adams 22nd March 2014.

Explore the Coast and "Country" Side of Bideford Bay with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

Winter Exposure Westward Ho!

Arrived at Westward Ho! amazed to find that the tide was still ebbing as we had been looking forward to a long bracing walk. It was another huge surge with the tide refusing to go out and stay out. The Go Kart Track and Adventure Centre is still in disarray so if ever there was a time for the legendary Potwalloping Festival, this is it. Fortunately the Links beyond are no longer flooded. Across the Bay in the direction of Kipling Tors I can see the spray from the wild “White Horses”. A grey day with sporadic sunshine, there was even another fleeting rainbow. When it was finally clear to walk down the beach it was quite other-worldly as the sand, in parts, had been completely washed away revealing mounds of soft grey clay, the rest resembling a shingle beach. In the midst of the normal grey pebbles strewn along the strandline were some quite beautiful marble white ones, washed in from some distant shore. As we walked on down to Sandymere I took a shot of the concrete slabs, the stepping stones over the ridge, now a little askew to say the least. Along the way I took note of the newly exposed Groins, weirdly wonderful clay formations, the outline of a previously unseen wreck and a line of pier posts or were they old WW2 sea defences? The surf although on its way out continued to rush in and I watched as four little Sanderlings skipped the waves then became marooned on their own little island. In 2012 the Pebbles abutting the Dunes at the far end had been washed away and now they were back and it was a relief to see that the missing sand had shifted towards the Spit. I was pleased not to see any rubbish on the beach, although there were pockets of marine litter amongst the pebbles. Here at the Spit of the Northam Burrows Country Park, the Ridge, although covered in pebbles seemed much flatter and even the big boulders were seemingly battered out of place. On a clear day you can look out to the Bideford Bar and over to the Biosphere across the Taw Torridge Estuary from here. It was hard going against the wind on the way back, I did, however stop to take a shot for the records of a dead seabird. Another sad sight was a 4x4 vehicle perched atop the Ridge, exposed and well and truly stuck. Photos and Article copyright Pat Adams 23rd February 2014

I reported the dead bird to the RSPB via Facebook and it was identified as a Guillemot. Guillemots, Razorbills and other seabirds have suffered terribly in the storms and have been washed up in numbers around the UK coast.See also BBC  'Record number' of dead seabirds washed up from storms
If you come across any dead sea birds please send full details to SWseabirds@rspb.org.uk
RSPB If members of the public find live seabirds that can be rescued it is recommended they should contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. We would advise you not to attempt rescuing the seabirds yourself or to handle them.
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Westward Ho! Potwalloping Festival was traditionally held each year on May Bank Holiday, the last one was held in 2012. Potwalloping. An old tradition when, in return for grazing rights, the residents in the Borough of Northam would throw back the pebbles that had been washed down from the Pebble Ridge after Spring Tides.

Pebble Dash and Rainbow over the Ridge, Westward Ho!

February roared in like a lion as the UK, the South West and the North Devon Coast in particular was pounded once again by gale-force winds and thundering seas which coincided with high Spring Tides on Saturday the 1st February. The waves were so huge that sea walls cracked on the promenade at Westward Ho! and the Pebble Ridge was breached for the second time. The area behind the Pebble Ridge, known as the Northam Burrows Country Park was therefore flooded and this included the links course of the Royal North Devon Golf Club. The Slipway withstood the pounding, not so lucky was the Adventure Play Ground and Go-Kart Track which was decimated, splattered once again with marine debris and pebbles. Such was the power of the waves that the pebbles and boulders were tossed high and wide also filling in the passageway to the Southwest Coast Path section of the Burrows itself. Sunday the wind had dropped and the sun came out briefly enabling people to venture on the beach at last. Rain squalls were followed by a rainbow. It was a race against time and tide as the diggers dashed up and down the beach, scooping pebbles up from one of the Pebble Ridge and dumping them back down to repack the area which was breached just beyond the slipway. The car park and toilets were closed again but the Slipway Takeaway thankfully remained unscathed and was open for business as usual. Here is a slide show of pictures taken on the Sunday 2nd February, you can also view them on FLICKR .Article and photos 2nd February copyright Pat Adams

Crash, Bang, Wallop. Surging into the New Year

I'm hunkered down writing this while the wind is howling outside, the birds have nipped off to the safety of the hedges and the trees so it’s a good job I did the Big Garden Birdwatch Survey this morning. Crash bang wallop, what a start to the New Year. The interminable rain caused rivers to break their banks, rainbows followed the rain, there were giant hailstones and lightning strikes, landslips and land-slides and that was before the storm Hercules arrived. According to news reports there were "twenty-one severe flood warnings, the highest level, issued in the South and West with 500 alerts in total across the UK" The great Atlantic surge began at the end of December when these photos were taken down at Westward Ho! a few days later the coast was bombarded with monster waves up to 10 metres high. The huge swell wreaked havoc along the coast, thundering waves "towering" over the Renish Tower at Lynmouth, breaching sea walls at Ilfracombe and Instow and even the mighty Pebble Ridge succumbed as the pebbles were flung up off the ridge and over the car park and Go-Cart Track by the slipway at Westward Ho! Diggers were brought in to repair the damage, the car park was still closed last week. As the swirling Atlantic waves surged and unrelenting high tides crashed onto our North Devon Coast, residents, local authorities, highways agencies and emergency services have been left counting the cost. In the aftermath tons of marine debris and litter were deposited on beaches in the area and the SAS (Surfers Against Sewage) community worked together as over 400 volunteers helped at BEACH CLEAN events including Croyde and Woolacombe. It’s amazing that we never tire of watching a raging sea, people stand in wonder, children delight in racing away from the surf, photographers will risk all for that one definitive shot, even surfers are not deterred by the possibility of being caught in a rip tide. However, it’s definitely a dangerous game as you’re never quite ready for that extra big wave so quite rightly the Police and the Environment Agency have urged people to stay away from the sea and rivers at such times. Great care must still be taken while walking on coastal paths, the ground is sodden making it more possible for cliff falls. The Southwest Coast Path Association urge people to “Stay safe and away from the shoreline and cliff edges if you're out on the Coast Path!” Click here for the latest news on cliff falls and Path diversions. Article 25th January 2014 and Pictures Westward Ho! 29th December 2013 PM Adams North Devon Focus

UK STORM NEWS REPORTS FROM

• Western Morning News
• Daily Mail
• North Devon Journal
• North Devon Gazette

USEFUL LINKS

• Southwest Coast Path Association
• North Devon National Trust
• Devon County Council - REPORT A POTHOLE

Appledore and Lundy Granite

Post by North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle.

THE DONKEYS OF CLOVELLY LAUNCH NEW NORTH DEVON FILM PROJECT

The Donkeys of Clovelly are the stars of a new short film which launches the North Devon Moving Image (NDMI) film making project. NDMI is a long term project which has been established to create and share a collection of short films examining everyday life in north Devon today and preserve them for future generations. Amanda McCormack, founder of NDMI says “I was inspired to set up the North Devon Moving Image project after watching some fascinating archive films in the North Devon Movie bus a few years ago. It occurred to me that despite the fact that most people are regularly recording video on their mobile phones, tablets and digital cameras, no one is actually preserving this valuable resource.” Amanda added “Coming up with a bright idea is just the start, the tricky bit is actually doing something about it. It takes a lot of hard work and focus to get something like this off the ground but I was delighted to find that once I said it out loud I wasn’t the only one who thought the project was a good idea. With plenty of moral support and some practical help from Jerry Bix at North Devon Plus (who guided us through the business registration) and a grant from the North Devon Coast AONB Sustainable Development Fund, we are now up and running.” Amanda wanted NDMI’s first film to be a good example of how five minutes of video can capture a moment in time while being informative, entertaining and inspirational. “Working with Sue and Bart Kelly at Clovelly Donkeys was just wonderful. We felt really privileged to be given an insight into their lives with the donkeys. They are lovely people and it goes without saying that having big cuddles with the donkeys was quite a treat!” Richard Butler, Sustainable Development Fund Chairman commented “This project is an insightful record which reflects on an iconic part of Clovelly’s rich Heritage. We were very happy to support this inaugural film project by North Devon Moving Image and hope it will be the first of many which will provide an informative record of life in North Devon.” North Devon Moving Image will be building their short film collection in a variety of ways, working with individuals, community groups and film makers in north Devon. 2014 will be a pilot year where NDMI demonstrates different creative film making styles, launches community projects and hopefully inspires other local film makers to get involved. 

To find out more you can visit the NDMI website at www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk or catch up on twitter @NDMovingImage and Facebook North Devon Moving Image CIC.

Photos: Amanda McCormack with Sarah the Clovelly Donkey, Bart and Sue Kelly of Clovelly Donkeys

What viewers have said about the film

Colin Shaddick “A beautiful and quirky film from North Devon.”
Jos Goulding “An absolute delight … well done Sue & Bart” 

Dion Sears “I loved it! Perfect music at the start and I loved how the donkey was part of the interview and kept trying to nibble things, it must have been hard not to laugh. Hope they find someone to pass the job onto … Great stuff, what's next?”

WATCH THE FILM/LEAVE ACOMMENT ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtHE0hF4szA

Catcing the Essence of Clovelly

Fishwives, fishy treats, fun and more than a splash of local colour down at Clovelly Harbour on a fair day in November. This is the month for the annual Clovelly Herring Festival, a time to celebrate the history and heritage of the humble herring, a time for visitors to meet the villagers who make and are the mainstay of this historic village. Local crafts and produce was the order of the day and an opportunity for folk to try those healthy herrings. We really enjoyed the oaty-coated herrings, freshly caught on the Perham line and pan-fried  in front of us. There were also platters of lobster and crab, tarts and quiche, smoked fish, fresh herrings, smoked herrings, marinated herring, locally sourced fish spiced with a myriad of flavours from around the world, homemade fudge, fresh baked bread and locally brewed beer. The Fishwives, a comical sight, with their rotund behinds and huge feet waddled amongst the crowds, along the Quay, their huge skirts swaying in time to the music. In addition to the Quay kitchens and cookery demonstrations, this is a time when villagers turn their hand to fundraising for local causes. The ladies from the Clovelly Community Garden Group had a stall up on the Kiln and Cream Teas were also served in the Lifeboathouse in aid of the RNLI. A couple of Clovelly yummy mummies had a homemade cake stall on the Quay, delicious sponges, fruit cakes and cupcakes raising funds for the  local “Small School”. The cupcakes decorated in sea blue fishy style with the help of little.Frida. The RSPB also had “A Stall for Nature” and the North Devon National Trust provided crafty activities for the kids up on the Kiln. Exhibitions and demonstrations of old seafaring skills and the History of Herrings and Flax Making came from Mike Smylie’s Kipperland and Simon and Ann from Flaxland. As the tide crept slowly into the harbour a Coracle, was launched by Simon who paddled quietly between a fishing boat used today and a Picarooner, one of the old traditional herring boats. I ventured along the top of the Harbour wall to capture a different perspective and noticed the Herring Gulls mobbing the lone fishing boat, a turbulent scene on a ultra calm sea. Herrings and heritage are the essence of Clovelly  I hope I have captured that in my video clip and the photos from the day. Shanty Singers “Shake a leg” can be heard in the background  - “Ten thousand miles away. Blow the wind high-ho”

Meanwhile on the other side the hub-bub on the busy Quay

• Clovelly Village 
• North Devon Coast and Country Chronicle Photos of the Day 

SHANTY SINGERS

• Exmouth Shantymen
• Bideford's Shake a Leg
• Flash Jack

EXHIBITION & DEMONSTRATIONS

• Kipperland 
• Flaxland 

Clovelly Herring Festival 17th November 2013 - Article, video/photos copyright Pat Adams

ALL WASHED UP

North Devon faired reasonably well in the wake of the St. Jude’s Storm which swept over the UK overnight on the 27^th October. Almost 30 metres of rain fell in Devon with up to 75mph winds. Nearly 1inch of rain fell in neighbouring Bude and there was localised flooding and fallen trees. Meanwhile on the North Devon Coast up to a 10ft surf was predicted sending photographers and storm watchers racing to the coast to capture the waves. This was followed by another stormy night on the 3^rd November with exceptionally high tides rolling in under a full moon.  The wind had subsided the following day for our walk down to the beach, but there was a definite chill in the air. Amazingly the old trees in the wooded valley had survived. We were looking for Autumn colour but apart from the burnished bracken there was more leaf fall than leaf turn. Down at the beach the colossal Atlantic rollers had tossed a huge tree branch clear of the pebbles blocking the path at the entrance  to the beach. A wooden pallet and piles of bleached driftwood were scattered on the tideline beneath the cliffs to the left around the bend towards Clovelly and right towards Portledge and beyond. Amongst the driftwood there were, thankfully, just a few bits of plastic debris, a sign of the times. I thought it ironic that the largest item was a plastic bottle entitled “Biological Toilet Cleaner”.Article & Photos copyright P. Adams 4/11/2013

 

 After the rains, the waterfall  always looks more dramatic.  Photo copyright B. Adams

Get involved - How you can help protect our waves, oceans & beaches

• Marine Conservation Society.- UK Charity protecting our seas, shores and wildlife
• Surfers against Sewage - Take Action SAS,org.uk Beach Clean Information