Charity invites people to discover North Devon wildlife haven

A conservation charity is promising a day of discovery at one of its top North Devon nature reserves. Devon Wildlife Trust is staging a Nature Reserve Discovery Days at its Meeth Quarry, near Hatherleigh. The free event is open to all and takes place between 10.30am and 4pm on Sunday 22nd May. Devon Wildlife Trust’s Jo Pullin is the event’s master planner.

She said: 

“Each year we hold a series of Discovery Days to showcase the best of Devon’s wild landscapes and its most exciting wildlife. This time it’s the turn of our Meeth Quarry nature reserve to be the host. We’re expecting good numbers of people to join us to explore this beautiful part of North Devon.” Meeth Quarry only became a Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve in 2013. It was formerly a clay quarry but ceased work in the early 2000s after 100 years of production. Despite its industrial past the reserve is a wildlife hotspot being well-known for dragonflies, butterflies, birds and deer.

Jo Pullin said: 

“The event will pick up on some of the local wildlife stars. We plan to construct a giant butterfly sculpture during the day. Everyone can come along and help in the building of this mega-beast! Our Discovery Days are designed to get people to connect with their local wildlife. They are a great, free way for families to explore their wilder sides. ”The event also features pond-dipping, a specially constructed nature quiz trail, kids’ crafts and refreshments. There will also be a series of guided walks exploring the nature reserve (leaving at 11.30am and 2.30pm), and special butterfly walks led by experts from Butterfly Conservation (leaving at 11am and 2pm).

At 150 hectares Meeth Quarry is one of Devon Wildlife Trust’s biggest nature reserves. It is also one of its most easily accessible. The Tarka Trail cycle route runs through its heart. Bike trails, footpaths and easy access trails allow visitors to explore. The reserve is also served by toilets and a large car park, located via an access lane from Meeth village and the A386, four miles north of Hatherleigh. To find out more about the Meeth Quarry Discovery Day go to the ‘What’s on?’ pages of www.devonwildlifetrust.org 

 Pond dipping at Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve

Meeth Quary Nature Reserve - Photo copyright DWT (All rights Reserved)

Tap here for more about Meeth Quarry Discovery Day between 10.30am and 4pm on Sunday 22nd May. 

Meeth Quarry, Devon, EX20 3ER Map reference SS 547 078

Haven with A History

Spring at last and we've taken the opportunity to explore the Tarka Trail between Bideford and Meeth.Today we're walking from Petrockstow to Meeth, a now tranquil tree-lined section of what was once the old railway, originally built as a narrow-gauge freight line to carry ball clay to Torrington from the Marland and Meeth clay pits. We step off the Trail into the light and the haven that is Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve. Nature, with a lot of help from the Devon Wildlife Trust, has reclaimed what was once a barren, busy, noisy quarry producing clay for export.

The Devon Wildlife Trust purchased the 150 hectres of Meeth Quarry in 2012 and it opened as a nature reserve in 2013. Today the lunar landscape has been replaced by two huge lakes, grassland and woodlands containing coppiced Hazel and Ash together with mature Beech and Oak. The trees today are just bursting into life and I can see that it will be wildflower rich in the weeks to come a  haven for bees, butterflies and all manner of countryside critters. There are also boggy marshy ponds, pits and gullies which will attract dragonflies and damselflies. We saw a Blackcap high in one of the trees, heard Robins and Blackbirds. Another visitor was excited about spotting a Grebe on the lake, I could just about make out it’s pointy head amongst the Terns.

This was a short sojourn and I hope to return to spend the day exploring the rest of this wonderful reserve which is open to all with bike trails, easy access trails and picnic areas, a perfect day out for families, birdwatchers and nature lovers like me. As we return to the Tarka Trail we walk across to view another DWT Nature Reserve, Ash Moor, according to the detailed sign posts there's a good chance of spotting Red Deer, Orchids, rare butterflies and dragonflies.  (Article P. Adams 24 April 2016)

Peace and Tranquility at Glebe Lake

 

 Devon Wildlife Trust's Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve

Coppiced trees springing into life at Meeth Quarry

Meeth Quarry April 24th 2016

Perfect for Dragonfly Watching

Meeth Quarry 24th April 2016 - A Haven for all

Devon Wildlife Trust's Ash Moore Nature Reserve 

About Ash Moor. "In 2002, at the height of the terrible foot and mouth crisis, Ash Moor was chosen to be a vast burial site for infected cattle. Plans were made and the landscape was hollowed out in preparation. Fortunately, the burial site was never used. Today Devon Wildlife Trust cares for what has been transformed into a wonderful network of meadows, ponds and wetlands. This is now a top spot for wildlife".

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About Meeth Quarry is a former clay works located close to Hatherleigh within the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area and the North Devon Biosphere. 'It incorporates six threatened wildlife habitats, supports 18 species of national importance and will provide a haven for a huge range of bird life, making it an excellent winter wildlife-watching destination for local communities '. 

 

Tap here to find out more about Meeth or any of DevonWildlife Trust 47 other nature reserves 

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Wikepedia Stub Petrockstow Railway Station  Torrington Railway Station

Tap here to read other posts about Meeth Quarry 
 
Located near village of Meeth 4 miles north of Hatherleigh EX20 3ER
Map reference SS 547 078
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DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Fun for the family at Meeth Quarry Discovery Day between 10.30am and 4pm on Sunday 22nd May. 

Riverfly volunteers ready for another busy season on the River Torridge

A volunteer project which is keeping a close check on the health of one of North Devon's best-loved rivers is about to begin another season.

The River Torridge in North Devon is the focus of a project which has brought together 50 local volunteers whose job it is to take regular samples of its water between April to September. The samples are then analysed to look for signs of life in the shape of invertebrates - water-living mini-beasts - known as riverflies.

The work of the volunteers is providing an important regular check on the river's health. The volunteers collect their samples at points along the watercourse. Their efforts, which began in 2014, is allowing a better assessment of the Torridge's water quality and is acting as an early-warning system with which to detect pollution incidents. Data collected by the volunteers is also being shared with the Environment Agency and will help to direct future land management locally.

Izzy Moser from the charity Devon Wildlife Trust, which is overseeing the project, says:

'It's fantastic to see communities coming together to protect local streams and rivers which are so valuable to us all. Our network of volunteers is one of best Riverfly networks in the country. Last year they collected more than 290 samples, about 12% of all the national data.'

The initiative is named 'Riverfly' after the water-living invertebrates that spend a large part of their lifecycle in rivers and still waters as larvae, before emerging in their masses as short-lived adult flies. Since riverflies are very sensitive to changes in habitat and water quality, they are good biological indicators for overall river health. Riverflies are also a vital link in the aquatic and land-based food chain, providing a food source for many fish, birds, insects and mammals.

Understanding local water quality is seen as vital for the futures of protected local species such as the endangered freshwater pearl mussel. North Devon has the only remaining populations of these mussels in southern England and through the Biffa Award funded 'Restoring Freshwater Mussel Rivers in England', Devon Wildlife Trust's Izzy Moser has also been working on the River Torridge with a number of volunteers to survey and improve conditions for the aquatic animals.

2016 is the third year of the Torridge Riverfly Partnership which was set up by the North Devon Biosphere and Devon Wildlife Trust. Riverfly monitoring is a great way to get your hands dirty, enjoy nature and collect valuable data to better understand the health of the watercourse. Izzy Moser says: 'This year, we are hoping to recruit more volunteers and perhaps extend the scheme into the River Taw catchment. We are also planning to deliver a training event to support new volunteers with the survey programme. If people are interested they can contact Matt Edworthy by email at biosphere-mailbox@devon.gov.uk or by phone on 01271 388647.'

The Riverfly project has been supported with funds from the North Devon Fisheries Local Action Group and Torridge District Council.

 Riverfly volunteers taking samples from the River Torridge in 2014:

Wild flowers get vicar's blessing

The wild flowers of one special churchyard in North Devon have received the blessings of their local vicar. On the morning of Tuesday 28th April a new wildlife meadow in the churchyard of the 13th century church of St. Petroc's, Petrockstowe, was formally blessed by the Reverend Susanna Metz before being opened with the presentation of a plaque on which part of the inscription reads: "This area is specially managed for the care of God's creations in need of a helping hand." Last year Devon Wildlife Trust, through its Nature Improvement Area project, began work with St Petroc's Parochial Church Council to improve the wildlife of the churchyard. Now an area has been set aside to allow native wildflowers to bloom and seed. Once the seeds have set, the area will be cut for hay and then 'recycled', by being fed to local livestock. The area selected contains no graves. The PCC have decided that initially a strip of ground will be allocated for the wildflower meadow for three years, when a decision regarding expansion of this area will be taken. A small team of local people has been appointed to keep an eye on its success monitoring the plant and insect life of the meadow. The Rev Susanna Metz blessed the wildflowers at a service attended by parishioners. She said: "On Rogation days in our team, we routinely bless our fields and farms, so it seems right to ask God's blessing on our efforts to secure a place for the insects, that are so vital for our food sources, to flourish. The church must be on the forefront of protecting the gift of creation - the environment - we've been given. We hope with this area to show how beauty, our own health, and the health of our world are interconnected." Chris Smith, Chair of St Petroc's Parochial Church Council, said: "With 98% of England's flower rich meadows having been lost in the past sixty years, every area of wild flower meadow, no matter how small, is helpful as a food source for bumblebees and butterflies, essential pollinators of our food crops." Lisa Schneidau, Project Manager for the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area, said: "We are delighted that St Petrock's Church has decided to manage part of this churchyard for wildlife, for the whole parish to enjoy. Projects like this, which are started and driven by the local community, are an essential part of helping to restore, manage and celebrate Devon's natural landscapes. St Petroc's is to be congratulated for its valuable work for Devon's wildlife."

 The Rev Susanna Metz and parishioners at the blessing of the wildflowers at St Petroc's church, Petrockstowe Photos copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

A dark day and bright night at Meeth Quarry nature reserve

Devon Wildlife Trust together with the North Devon Astronomical Society are inviting members of the public to join them for a unique viewing of the solar eclipse followed by star gazing at Meeth Quarry nature reserve. The event will take place on Friday 20 March. Experts will guide visitors through the solar eclipse using professional equipment. From 8am onwards the North Devon Astronomical Society will be at Devon Wildlife Trust's Meeth Quarry nature reserve with their hydrogen alpha telescope which filters light making it safe to look at the sun. Viewers will be able to see sun spots and spectacular prominences, these are huge loops tens of thousands of miles above the surface of the sun large enough the fit the earth through. Stuart Bartlett form North Devon Astronomical Society said "This partial eclipse seen in the South West, is a rare opportunity not to be missed. The moon will block out our view of the sun by approximately 93% which will create a noticeable dark sky". Stuart warns people not to look directly at the sun or through cameras or optical equipment at any time as this can cause permanent damage to eyes. All safety equipment, including solar film for binoculars, will be provided at this event. The solar eclipse will be at its maximum just before 9.30am but Devon Wildlife Trust invites visitors to arrive from 8am onwards. Jo Pullin from Devon Wildlife Trust said "bring a deckchair and enjoy our bacon butties while you watch this two hour spectacle." 

A separate star gazing event follows in the evening from 7.30pm looking at constellations and planets with North Devon Astronomical Society's telescopes. Jo Pullin said "Meeth Quarry nature reserve is easily accessible but far away from street lights and other light pollution which provides the perfect place to view the night skies at their best." Hot drinks and soup will warm viewers but wrap up warm and sturdy footwear is essential, torches advisable. Each session costs £3 per adult, children are free. Visitors are asked to bring solar viewing glasses if possible although some will be available to borrow. If there is cloud cover, the solar eclipse event will not take place and star gazing will be postponed until Sat 21 March. For updates on the day phone 01837 811889. 

 Photo: Andromeda Galaxy copyright Stuart Bartlett (All Rights Reserved)

Meeth Quarry DWT nature reserve is on the southern edge of the village of Meeth on the A386 between Hatherleigh and Great Torrington. Follow the access road for half a mile and the car park is on the left. Nearest postcode is EX20 3EP Check the Devon Wildlife Trust website for more information http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/whats-on/ 

"What is our rural landscape worth to us?" - five conversations - one play

The Common Charter Hall, Okehampton, March 14th, 7.30pm

Beaford Arts and China Plate present The Common. Spring 2014, five writers went to North Devon to explore what the rural environment means to its people. They got to know old farming families, incomers and returnees. They met rural life in mugs of tea at farmhouse kitchen tables, on windswept hills, under rusting barn roofs and from 'backies' on a farmer's quad bike. These encounters and conversations fed the writing of The Common, a performance work of five dialogues about life and land. Two performers (Charlotte Melia and Martin Hyder) play ten characters examining their relationships with each other and the landscape which connects them with life itself. 

Rural arts organisation and cultural ambassadors for North Devon's Biosphere Reserve, Beaford Arts initiated this project. "In north Devon, we've always known the value of our land." says Mark Wallace, Director of Beaford Arts "Now, as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and as one of Natural England's Nature Improvement Areas, we're increasingly under the national and international spotlight. But it's the rural communities, living with the land for generations, who made this landscape. This new show is about the values we still hold in common - about the voices which should still be heard." Six months on from its world premiere in North Devon, The Common is going on tour to four other NIAs - Meres & Moses, Morecambe Bay, Birmingham and Wild Purbeck. The Common is a local play with national significance, it captures the environmental zeitgeist and its universal relevance makes for vital viewing in every rural community. One of the five writers, Inua Ellams, said "It was a job of listening, of conversations that were heart breaking, overwhelming, passionate and multi-layered. When it came to writing, I didn't know where to start, but an idea crystallised after I met a farmer, his wife and two sons." "They told stories and anecdotes to illustrate how complicated a process it would be. How there are some aspects of the land that simply cannot be valued, that are (by that definition) priceless. He referred to us as townies, and he and his colleagues as country folk. He did not like townies. As a black African I'm used to prejudice, I found it refreshing, dare I say thrilling, to be prejudiced because of where I lived rather than the colour of my skin. As we talked and I asked the right questions, he began to relax and slowly 'you townies' became 'those townies'. We 'othered' them so we could point and laugh."
Talking about her part in the development process, another of the writing team, Charlotte Josephine explains "The piece I wrote was mainly inspired by meeting photographer Rosie Anderson. I read her charming 'personal post on a place called home' on her website on the train down and knew we'd be friends. Her passionate post about the closing of Hatherleigh Market really struck a chord with me. It's heart-breaking when we sacrifice tradition, community and culture for financial gain." 

The Common will be performed in Charter Hall, Okehampton, March 14th, 7.30pm Tickets are free but limited so booking is essential. Bookings through Eventbrite: 

Beaford Arts The Common - Photos copyright (All rights reserved) 

Read previous post about The Common 

 Beaford Arts www.beaford-arts.org.uk China Plate www.chinaplatetheatre.com

Love for North Devon Nature Mapped by Beaford Arts

Beaford Arts is drawing a digital map of creative responses to nature in northern Devon. As creative partner of the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA), Devon Arts organisation Beaford Arts has set up the Responding to Nature project, asking local people to put their favourite places on the map in words, pictures and sounds. Via the Responding to Nature website each submission is geotagged to the exact position where its creator produced it. Responding to Nature is a Cultural Ecosystems Services project. It aims to tap into the emotional experiences of being in nature and help us achieve a deeper connection with our environment and understand its value through art. Beaford Arts is inviting people of all ages to submit their responses to nature in drawings and paintings, poetry and prose, films, audio recordings or sculpture to build up a multi media picture of what our natural environment means to us. To get the collection started Beaford Arts recently held a competition for children in north Devon primary schools which brought in some inspirational stories, poems, pictures and films. There were two age categories and the winner of the 7 years and under group was Hettie King, aged 5, for her collage entitled 'I Love Nature' and first prize in the 8-11 years category went to 9 year old Jack Ayres for a musical piece called 'Jack's Rap - My Place to Escape'.

Hettie King 'I love Nature'

Raran's Garden by Isaac Champion

Keiran Beer  Tarka Trail

Jack's Rap can be heard via this link to Smule http://www.smule.com/p/256243881_65823955

You can see all the entries from the competition together with other independent submissions on the Responding to Nature website where you can also find out more about the project.
If you would like to take part and send in your own creative response please post your work of art to Claire Ayres, Education Project Manager, Beaford Arts, Crown Yealm House, Pathfields Business Park, South Molton, Devon EX36 3LH or email it to claire@beaford-arts.org.uk

Full list of prize winners:
7 years and under
1st place – HETTIE KING, age 5 (Monkleigh Primary) ‘I love nature’
2nd place – GABRIEL NAPIER, age 6 ½ (Monkleigh Primary) ‘Nature Life’
3rd place – EMMA ROVENSKA, age 5 (Clawton Primary) ‘The Story of the Pinecone Family’
8 years – 11 years

1st place – JACK AYRES, age 9 (Holywell CoE Primary) ‘Jack’s Rap – My Place to Escape’
2nd place – ISAAC CHAMPION, age 10 (Monkleigh Primary) ‘Raran’s Garden’

Local Play with National Significance - The Common Hopes to Hit the Road

"An inspiringly insightful piece of contemporary theatre with important messages for our collective future – we ARE the land" ... Positive response to Beaford Arts' The Common might just get this show on the road. After two sellout performances of this series of dramatic dialogues about our relationship with the local environment, Beaford Arts hopes to take The Common on a national tour. Lucy Deasy, General Manager of Beaford Arts, says "Our objective as the cultural partner of the North Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA) was to create a piece about the value of the land. Our mission was to engage with two local communities, work within them, engage them and produce a show that would resonate with the varied audience within those communities." 

Feedback from those who saw the shows in Dolton and Hatherleigh, where The Common was researched, developed and performed, certainly seems to indicate success "It was a triumph. Full of admiration for the performers. Very moving and you got the Devon nuances." Others wanted to share the love @ruthresearch tweeted "A lovely evening in the company of @beaford & @YourOldChina last night, do hope there is a longer life for #TheCommon" and another comment simply says " Brill! Sock it to Whitehall". Producer, Fin Irwin worked with theatre company China Plate to create the show " It has been a pleasure to work on a project that has had such a high and diverse level of engagement. From the environmentalists to the local farmer and the pub landlord, everyone has had a story to tell and has been keen to tell it. The positive response from the participants and audience alike was overwhelming and proved that this project will create a lasting legacy in the memories of those who saw it." This is a local production with national significance. The rural issues explored in The Common are relevant to communities nationwide and Beaford Arts hopes to roll the show out to the other eleven Nature Improvement Areas around the country "Our future goal is to tour the play to other NIAs, Westminster and maybe beyond." says Lucy Deasy.

 

Beaford Arts The Common - Photos copyright (All rights reserved)

Read previous post about The Common 

Beaford Arts www.beaford-arts.org.uk 

China Plate www.chinaplatetheatre.com

Nature Improvement Areas are boosting England's wildlife, communities and rural economy. Devon project leading by example.

Wildlife, communities and local economies are reaping the benefits of England's new Nature Improvement Areas, according to a report published today Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) set up by the government in 2012 have helped farmers to access EU grants, made valuable contributions towards university research and boosted the £210 billion rural economy. They've also attracted outside investment - more than £730,000 from business partners and £7.8 million from NGOs and not-for-profit organisations. Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: "A healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand in hand. These Nature Improvement Areas show how protecting our precious wildlife and outstanding landscapes can help grow our £30 billion rural tourism industry and create more jobs for hardworking people as part of our long term economic plan." Almost 19,000 hectares of threatened habitat - equivalent to 23,000 football pitches- have been created or restored since the NIAs were set up with £7.5 million of government funding. Volunteers have spent 24,300 days - or 66 years in total - surveying wildlife and improving habitats, and more than 11,000 people have taken part in educational visits. Locally the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area is the largest of England's 12 NIAs, covering 72,000 hectares of the river Torridge catchment. The project is leading by example exceeding many of its targets: since April 2012 it has worked with landowners and local people to restore more than 1,300 hectares of wildlife habitat, working with 51 parishes and 249 different landowners. So far the project has held 137 community events, taken 47 school groups out on site, and held 32 land management workshops. Lisa Schneidau, Northern Devon NIA Project Manager, said: "The NIA partnership in Devon is going from strength to strength. We aim to continue for many years yet in achieving our vision of a working landscape, rich in wildlife, valued by everyone. It's inspiring to be part of such a vibrant, positive network of projects which are showing how this vision can be achieved. As we work towards the end of this round of Government support for NIAs, we urge the Minister to build on the good work already achieved through NIAs, and provide leadership and support for existing and new NIA projects into the future." The Together England's 12 NIAs are spread throughout the country, from glistening sands of Morecambe Bay to the butterfly-filled South Downs in Hampshire. These wild habitats are now bigger, better connected, and more widespread, enabling wildlife such as butterflies and water voles to thrive. NIAs were first announced in the Natural Environment White Paper, the first government White Paper on the environment for 20 years, with the aim of creating 12 initial areas to reconnect nature on a significant scale through local partnerships. The NIA partnerships have improved access to the countryside, creating new public footpaths and connecting a network of paths which will span 540km by 2015. The NIA partnerships are on track to restore, create, enhance and maintain a further 5,500 hectares by 2015, joining up people and communities with their landscapes.

The river Torridge has been the focus for the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area's work over the past three years. Photo copyright Kevin New (All rights reserved)

November Highlights. A celebration of North Devon Coast and Countryside events

It's lighting up time, literally and usually by now we'll have switched on the heating and settled down in front of a cosy fire to watch Strictly and X Factor and soon it'll be I'm a Celebrity and we could be stuck indoors till next Spring!! The good news is there are plenty of fun events this month to lure you away from the telly. The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area are holding some free courses for woodland owners wishing to learn how to fell and extract small amounts of timber for personal use or sale using a variety of techniques. Remember, remember the 5th November when the North Devon skies will be lighting up for Guy Fawkes Night and there are a number of  organised Bonfire and Fireworks Parties around the region including a big fun night of boogying and bopping, fireworks and fun at the Big Sheep including a special toddler firework display earlier in the evening. Novemeber is also a time to celebrate the humble herring. Clovelly was once a major centre for herring fishing and their annual Herring Festival is held to promote these tasty, nutritious 'Silver Darlings' and support carefully managed fishing as carried out by our local fishermen. The village once depended on the harvest of herring, which are caught in superb condition for a short season off its coast. Records go back over 400 years and in 1749, there were a hundred herring boats in the port. When fishing was good, 9000 herring could be landed at one time. Those days of massive catches are long gone and there remain just two herring fishermen who still employ sustainable fishing methods using drift nets and long lines. Kids can enjoy the North Devon A.O.N.B. event-themed, free craft activities, there will be Shanty singers, street entertainment, local food and craft stalls, flax making and a photographic exhibition of Clovelly herring fishing and Kipperland will make sure this is a "smoking" fun day out for all the family.

4th November FREE courses ‘All things wood-fuel’ this Autumn with Northern Devon NIA. With ever rising populations of the non-native grey squirrel, damage to young trees through bark stripping is at epidemic proportions in North Devon. If you have young trees or are hoping for regenerating seedling in your wood to have a chance of establishing this course is a must. View details
5th November Guy Fawke's Fire Works Party at the Big Sheep. Bonfire and burgers - Fireworks and Fun - Boogying and Bopping! Special Toddler Firework display earlier in the evening at 6pm Doors open at 5pm Junior Fireworks - 6pm Bonfire Lit at 7pm Main Fireworks at 7.45pm Indoor Playground closes at 9:30pm Remember, remember the 5th of November - Bonfire and…
12th November North Devon Arts Broomhill Arts Hotel 8pm. A talk by Michael Brennand-Wood,an innovative and inspiring artist working in textiles. Free to NDA members, guests £5
14th and 15th November Beaford Arts The Common will be performed in Dolton on Friday 14 November and Hatherleigh on Saturday 15 November. Tickets are free but limited so booking is essential.  Details as follows:
Dolton Village Hall, Friday 14 November 2014 at 7.30 pm Tickets FREE but must be reserved via Beaford Arts, www.beaford-arts.org.uk, telephone 01769 572573, collect from The Royal Oak, Dolton
Hatherleigh Community Centre, Saturday 15 November 2014 at 7.30 pm Tickets FREE but must be reserved via Beaford Arts, www.beaford-arts.org.uk, telephone 01769 572573, collect from Hatherleigh Community Centre
16th November Clovelly Herring Festival. Maritime historian and writer, Mike Smylie, will return with his 'Kipperland' exhibition, which is devoted to the history of the herring. He will also be turning herring into delicious and delicate-tasting kippers and bloaters in his smokehouse. There will also be net making, flax processing and a curragh on show provided by 'Flaxland'. There'll be a wide variety of herring dishes in the quay kitchens, cookery demonstrations, live shanty singers, street entertainment, other local food and craft stalls, a photographic exhibition of Clovelly herring fishing and A.O.N.B. event-themed, free craft activities. To see the 'Silver Darling' menu at the Red Lion Harbour Restaurant, please click here http://www.clovelly.co.uk/red-lion-hotel-harbour-restaurant Standard admission charges include all entertainment.
27th November FREE courses ‘All things wood-fuel’ this Autumn with Northern Devon NIA. Learn how to fell and extract small amounts of timber for personal use or sale using techniques including a compact tractor, small crane and extraction using horses. Practical solutions for everyday woodland owner problems are all high on the agenda. For the less mechanized or equestrian amongst you there will be practical coppicing advice including the use of tools. View details
27th November Ilfracombe High Street Lighting of the Lights. The lights ceremony with a parade, music, stalls and late night shopping. www.visitilfracombe.co.uk
 For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  

 Herring Boats are coming. Picarooner and a Coracle. Photo Clovelly Herring Festival 2013 P. Adams (all rights reserved) 
Check out more pics and post Catching the Essence of Clovelly

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 North Devon Tourist Information Centres
Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, North Devon Museum, The Square, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 9LS
Bideford Tourist Information Centre, Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road, Bideford, EX39 2QQ 
Braunton Tourist Information Centre The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1AA
Combe Martin Tourist Information Centre Cross Street, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 ODH 
Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre: The Memorial Hall, Holsworthy, 
Torrington Tourist Information Centre, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington   
lfracombe Tourist Information Centre The Landmark Theatre, The Seafront, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9BX
Lynton Tourist Information Centre Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, North Devon, EX35 6HT T
South Molton Tourist Information  1 East Street, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3BU 
Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre The Esplanade, Woolacombe, North Devon, EX34 7DL 
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 To add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar 

'Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area making a huge difference for nature - but more support needed

Representatives from a major conservation project in Devon are attending a special event in London today to mark two years of England's Nature Improvement Area (NIA) programme - and to ask the Government to continue its support of its crucial work in North Devon. The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area covers 72,000 hectares in the river Torridge Catchment. It is one of 12 partnership projects which were created in 2012 following a competitive bidding process for a share of £7.5million new funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Natural England. The aim of Nature Improvement Areas is to improve the landscape for people and nature through restoring, expanding and joining up wildlife-rich areas. The South West only has two NIAs, one in Northern Devon and one in Purbeck. Today's Forum in London will enable the 12 NIA partnership groups from across England to share details and learning on the wide-ranging work they are doing to restore nature on a landscape scale, and their plans for the future. But NIAs may not continue into 2015 without further Government support. The Northern Devon NIA Manager, Lisa Schneidau, said: 'Thanks to the efforts of a huge number of farmers, communities and organisations working with us, the Northern Devon NIA has made a real difference for the river Torridge catchment in its first two years. The project has generated over £4 million to support action for the environment by local people. Without the catalyst of financial support from Government, none of this action would have happened. "Yet we have barely started, and there is much yet to do. Our current funding finishes in March 2015. We urge the Government to continue its financial contribution to Nature Improvement Areas. This support is crucial for the restoration of a healthy, wildlife-rich landscape in the Torridge catchment in the long term." Since April 2012 the Northern Devon NIA has worked with local landowners throughout 72,000 hectares of the Torridge catchment, within the North Devon Biosphere Reserve. Devon Wildlife Trust is the lead partner. Effort has been concentrated on offering advice and resources, to help local landowners manage wildflower (Culm) grassland, wetland and woodland, improve water quality in local watercourses, and engage local people in all aspects of the environment. So far the project team has helped 226 landowners, who in turn have restored over 1,200 hectares of land for wildlife. The project's work with communities so far has generated over 100 events, 33 school visits, over 3,000 volunteer hours and two theatre projects. Lisa and project partners will be presenting the main achievements of the project to an audience at the Forum which includes Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Natural Environment and Science Lord de Mauley, Professor Sir John Lawton and Natural England Chair Andrew Sells. Lisa said, "We still have 6 months of the current project to go - and everyone can get involved. 

Whether you are a land manager, a budding wildlife surveyor, a parish or community group, a school, or you simply want to find out more about your local environment - if you live or work in the river Torridge catchment, we'd love to hear from you." The Northern Devon NIA team can be contacted on 01409 221823 or info@northerndevonnia.org
For more information, visit: www.devonwildlifetrust.org/northern-devon-nature-improvement-area/ 
A report on achievements of the NIA project in its first two years can be foundhere:

 Deptford Pastures near Bradworthy has been one of the many parts of the Devon landscape helped by the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area  - Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

River health checks off to flying start!

A river monitoring project established to check on the 'health' of North Devon's River Torridge has got off to a flying start. Set up earlier this year, the project now has 34 trained volunteers who are carrying out vital regular monitoring. The initiative, known as the 'Riverfly Partnership', is part of a national project monitoring the long term health of our rivers and helps to pick up on pollution incidents. The Devon version was set up earlier this year in the Torridge catchment. It was put in place by the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA). So far it has generated a good deal of local interest. After an initial call for 'river monitors' 34 local people came forward to help. They come from a range of backgrounds and include teachers, anglers, farmers, students and an acupuncturist! Members of the team have each been given their own stretch of the river and are now surveying it on a monthly basis, looking for freshwater invertebrates (minibeasts), hence the name 'riverflies'. Louise Davis, the NIA's Riverfly Co-ordinator, explained: "The invertebrates found in our streams and rivers can tell us a lot about their health. Their presence or absence gives us vital clues as to what is going on beneath the water's surface. By counting the invertebrates on a monthly basis, we are able to look at long term water quality, and if all the invertebrates disappear, we know that something has gone drastically wrong. The volunteers have been sampling over the summer months, making sure that vital fish spawning grounds are not disturbed over the winter. We're also careful to ensure that the volunteers are safe and that they are not swept away by floods!" The Riverfly project is being support by North Devon Fisheries Local Action Group, and Torridge District Council. Their generosity allowed the NIA to purchase equipment for the volunteers. Using hand nets, sampling trays and magnifiers, the volunteers are tasked with identifying eight different groups of invertebrates. Louise explained: "The work of the volunteers is not too technical, and the Riverfly monitoring scheme is one that anyone can take part in, with no previous experience required. It does however take an eye for detail and a certain level of patience to identify the different flies that are found." 

The project is keen to hear from other local people who might want to get involved. If you would like to find out more about the Riverfly scheme, or to register your interest as a volunteer for 2015, please email info@northerndevonnia.org , or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01409 221823. 

The monitoring scheme is part of wider work being undertaken by the NIA in NorthDevon. The project is one of 12 nationally important landscape scale wildlife schemes across England. It is delivering an impressive and ambitious range of work to restore Culm grassland and woodlands, create new wildlife habitat and improve water quality in the Torridge catchment. It is a partnership project within the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with Devon Wildlife Trust as the NIA's lead partner and at least 16 other project partners making active contributions to the project's outcomes.

 "Riverfly training takes place on the River Torridge. The scheme is getting local people to provide regular health-checks on their river."- Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)