Step Back in Time. An opportunity to meet seven Devon authors in the Cabin at Bucks Mills

Nestled at the bottom of the hill in the little fishing hamlet of Bucks Mills, lies The Cabin. This two-roomed hut began life as a fisherman’s store before being acquired by Judith Ackland’s family. Together with her friend Mary Stella Edwards, Judith used the building as an artists’ retreat for half a century. The solitude and spectacular views across the rugged North Devon coastline make it ideal for those seeking inspiration. Now in the care of the National Trust, the Cabin is almost exactly as the artists left it in 1971.

From 29th April–1st May, it will once again be a setting that encourages creative talents to flourish. Between 10.00am and 4.00pm, seven Devon authors will take it in turns to use the cabin and its wonderful surroundings as their muse. The work of all these writers is rooted the past, in the local landscape, or both. They look forward to discussing their work, both past and forthcoming and signing copies of their books. This will be a unique opportunity, not only to view inside The Cabin, which is rarely open to the public but also to talk to enthusiastic and friendly authors about their writing.

The Authors in the Cabin are:

• Ruth Downie writes crime novels set in Roman times. Ruth’s book Medicus has recently attracted a ‘Discovered Diamond’ award for historical fiction. https://ruthdownie.com/

• Janet Few is an author of local, social and family history books, including a history of Bucks Mills Who Lived in Cottages like These?: the inhabitants of Bucks Mills. She is now working on an historical novel set in North Devon. https://thehistoryinterpreter.wordpress.com

• Susan Hughes writes books set in the first half of the twentieth century. Her debut novel A Kiss from France won several awards. She is now writing her second book. http://susanhughes.net/

• Wendy Percival is the author of mystery novels set in North Devon and recently published a novella featuring her genealogist sleuth, Esme Quentin, entitled Death of a Cuckoo. www.wendypercival.co.uk

• P J Reed is a poet and author who writes of the beauty and ethereal nature of the changing countryside. Her latest anthology Flicker was published last month. http://pjreedwriting.jigsy.com

• Liz Shakespeare’s books are inspired by the people, history and landscapes of Devon. Her latest novel The Postman Poet, which was launched last month, is based on the true story of Edward Capern who composed poems and songs whilst delivering letters in Victorian North Devon. http://www.lizshakespeare.co.uk

• Pamela Vass writes North Devon based fiction and social history. Her novel Seeds of Doubt debates whether the Lynmouth floods of 1952 were an Act of God or the Act of Man. www.boundstonebooks.co.uk

Tap here for North Devon Focus on the village of Bucks Mills

Nature: This general election's missing issue?

West Country's leading nature charities unite to put nature on the agenda The National Trust, RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts are calling on people across the West Country to put nature at the heart of debate in the run up to May's General Election and encourage candidates to support nature. Together the three charities have produced South West Nature 2015 - a new website that details landscapes, wildlife and the issues these face, across all 55 Westminster constituencies in the south west. 

Speaking for the partnership, Harry Barton (CEO of Devon Wildlife Trust) said; "Nature is the missing issue from this general election. We need greater political commitment to nature's recovery and fundamental changes in how we value, use and interact with nature. This is as relevant to the stunning wildlife we have in our seas as it is to our internationally famous landscapes. What happens in the next parliament, and the decisions our elected representatives make, are going to be crucial to the nature we cherish and depend on." 

The charities are encouraging people to visit the website - www.swnature2015.org - or to find it on their local Wildlife Trust website, and discover the big nature issues where they live, then ask their local parliamentary candidates to show that they care about nature and that they will work individually and within their party to look after wildlife and natural spaces. 

Sarah O'Brien, South West External Affairs Advisor speaking for the National Trust said: "The South West has some of the country's most stunning landscapes and richest habitats, all surrounded by our world class coastline. Our natural environment is important in its own right, but it also underpins our economy, health and our wellbeing. Yet nature is in decline. It is vital that we halt this decline and secure nature's recovery in a generation, not only for its own sake, but for what it does for us." 

Simon Brenman speaking for The SW Wildlife Trusts said: "Our environment is under more pressure than ever before. The State of Nature report published in 2013 found that 60% of UK species we know about are in decline and many of the "free", but invaluable, services provided by nature are under threat, such as pollination, resilience to flooding, clean water supply, and food production." 

The charities, who have the support of hundreds of thousands of people across the West Country, say that nature is crucial to our economy, health and wellbeing.

Mark Robins, speaking for the RSPB in the South West said; "The West Country trades on the relative quality of its natural environment. It's one of the principle reasons why people choose to live, work and do business here." "But we need leadership, not only to commit to the recovery of nature, but also to make the most of the opportunities a thriving natural environment provides for healthier and more prosperous communities".  

To find out more visit www.swnature2015.org

'Nature is crucial to the South West's future prosperity, but are our politicians doing enough to safeguard it?' 

Photo:Devon Wildlife Trust's Emsworthy nature reserve, Dartmoor copyright Simon Williams (All rights reserved)

National Trust Commission “Tweet Music” : Celebrating the sounds of Spring

A leading UK beatboxer has vocally recreated the nation’s best-known songbirds to celebrate the sounds of spring and encourage the nation to get outdoors and experience nature first hand. The album of Tweet Music was commissioned by the National Trust after academic research found that listening to birdsong, one of the Trust’s 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾, not only makes people calmer but boosts positivity. Despite this, almost one in five (19 per cent) rarely hear birdsong with 19 per cent of city dwellers regularly woken up by the noise of cars or planes. Beatboxer and vocal sculptor Jason Singh visited National Trust places for inspiration before creating the album, which features birds and wildlife including Blackbirds, Robins, Woodpeckers, Crows, Skylarks, Owls, Warblers, Buzzards, Frogs and Crickets. Singh explained, “I love the magic of spring, particularly at Tatton Park which I have been going to for years. When the silence of winter comes to an end, you can feel a real sense of change as the parkland erupts with noise, bursts of colour and new life. This is what makes spring so special for me and it’s this that I really wanted to capture in this project. “It was important to me that the bird calls and environments I recreated were as life like and authentic as possible, so it was great to work with the National Trust’s nature experts to better understand the flora and fauna of spring.” Listeners are set to find the new National Trust soundtrack a soothing experience after a recent psychological study found that natural sounds have restorative qualities. The study found the that birdsong and other sounds of nature like a running stream help people recover much quicker from stressful scenarios compared with the noise of urban living.

 Celebrate the Sounds of spring

Leading UK beatboxer, Jason Singh - Photo copyright National Trust (All Rights Reserved)

• Click here to download the free “Tweet Music” tracks, 
• Click here for 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾
• Find a Place to Visit with the National Trust

B10 Event. Biosphere’s partners join forces for the National Trust Lynmouth Fete

The North Devon Biosphere team will be at this year’s National Trust summer fete in Lynmouth as part of the B10 anniversary celebrations. The North Devon Biosphere Reserve is ten this year and they continue to mark this milestone with a full programme of varied events around the Biosphere Reserve. This is an opportunity to promote the work of some of the Biosphere’s partners; The National Trust, The Devon Wildlife Trust and Lundy Island. At the Lynmouth fete on Sunday 25 August the Biosphere team are working with the Devon Wildlife Trust to highlight the importance of Marine Conservation Zones in North Devon. There will be a chance to discuss this crucial conservation issue with the experts at the Biosphere display trailer. There will also be activities for the youngsters including making origami fish and gliding gannets! You will also be able to pick up some of the Biosphere limited edition recipe cards produced by TV Camper Van Cook Martin Dorey. These collectible cards show you some tasty ways of using fresh local North Devon ingredients. There is also an opportunity for visitors to sign up for the fab B10 prize draw! Fete organisers, The National Trust, will be around to let you know about their work in the region and have organised lots of fun events and activities at this lovely, traditional village fete. Have a go at welly wanging, plate smashing, coconut shy, craft activities, treasure island game, tombola and lucky dips. Another Biosphere partner, Lundy Island, will also be at the fete to tell you more about this jewel in the crown of the North Devon coast.

National Trust Lynmouth Fete Sunday 25 August 2013. The fete runs from 11am to 4pm on Lynmouth Manor Green EX35 6EH.

Great British Walks around Bideford Bay and Hartland

Well summer may be over but the National Trust are still encouraging people to get outdoors and take a walk with them with their walking festival. There are lots of events on as well as trails to follow. The National Trust Walking Festival is  running from the 1st September to the 4th November so there’s plenty of time for everybody to get involved and enjoy the countryside. Click here for Great British Walks around Bideford Bay and Hartland including the Bucks Mills Walk on 3rd October. This great 5.5 mile walk includes a peep inside the evocative artist's studio at Bucks Mills  You can search on the website for a walk near you and then upload your own walk to share with others. Click here to find out about the National Trust Walking Festival near you today

Join the National Trust online today

The National Trust is a charity and is completely independent of Government. The Trust relies for income on membership fees, donations and legacies, and revenue raised from commercial operations. It has over 3.6 million members and 55,000 volunteers. More than 14 million people visit its pay for entry properties, while an estimated 50 million visit its open air properties.The National Trust protects and opens to the public over 350 historic houses, gardens and ancient monuments and also looks after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves, villages - for ever, for everyone. Join online today
Why join the National Trust: Join today from only £39.75 for your first year, and help look after the places you love, whilst enjoying:

• Free entry to over 300 historic houses and gardens
• Free car parking at most Trust properties
• Free entry to the National Trust for Scotland and other partner organisation offers 

 Join today and help protect some of our most beautiful places.