Westward Ho! Waving the Blue Flag for North Devon

Just perfect. Westward Ho! has once again been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag, that’s 17 years in a row 👏👏☀️☀️🏖-

“The Blue Flag Award is the international quality mark for beaches. The prestigious award scheme acts as a guarantee to everyone that a beach is among the finest not only in the country, but globally. They are only awarded to coastal destinations that boast the highest quality of water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.” (theseasideawards.org)

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#landscapephotography on the #coast #beachlife #sand and #sky #atlanticocean #seascape #photography #landscape #pebbleridge #cloudformations #westwardho! #bideford #northdevon #southwest #picoftheday #england #uk #blue #sky over a #blueflag #beach #photooftheday #visitdevon #lovenorthdevon #visitwestwardho

Just perfect Beach at Westward Ho! Photo cooyright Pat Adams (All rights reserved)

Click here North Devon Focus on Westward Ho!

 

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“WHAAM SUMMER” - Westward Ho! & Appledore Music Showcase

Get ready for “WHAAM SUMMER”. This is part of a trilogy of events organised every year under the banner of WHAAM - Westward Ho! and Appledore Music Showcase. The event takes place on Thursday 1st June from 6.15pm to 10.00pm at the Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! as part of the Westward Ho! Seaside Festival representing North Devon’s musical entertainers performing in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Appledore Station.

Entertainers include:-

• Ian Hudson - Artist/Tutor and Folk Song Entertainer at The Hunters Inn, Exmoor
• Westward Ho! Youth Theatre – a taster of their talents!
• Charlotte Juniper and Peter Wormington (WHYG)
• Andras Droppa - Dr Droppa
• Robert Stiryaker
• Connor Gould
• Humming Bird – Ian and Su Hudson 

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Tickets are on sale from 

• The booking office at Happy Cafe (07773 679559) 
• Delicadevon and The Co-operative Food, Westward Ho! 
• The Coffee Cabin, The Quay, Appledore
• and of course AT THE DOOR!

Reservations are acceptable by email for collection at the door. Email: noahsark@uku.co.uk ADMISSION TICKETS – £3.00 each

Doors open at 6.15pm and show runs from 7.00 to 10.00pm.

THIS EVENT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG AND NOT SO YOUNG ARTISTES TO SHOWCASE THEIR MUSICAL TALENTS IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE.

WHAAM - Westward Ho! and Appledore Music Showcase

FURTHER INFORMATION:  

John Barton Email: noahsark@uku.co.uk Mobile: 07725 056 094

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westwardhofishfestival/?fref=ts

Website:  www.whaam-events.org

WHAAM! Tickets now available for Westward Ho! & Appledore Music Showcase

Tickets are now on sale for “WHAAM JR”,  the Westward Ho! & Appledore Music Showcase at The Pier House, Westward Ho! on Friday 24th March from 6.00 to 12.00pm. The Showcase will be representing North Devon’s youth bands, singers and choirs performing in aid of the Royal National Life Institution's Appledore Lifeboat Station.

The WHAAM Showcase is making a welcome return following the enormous success of the event in 2016. WHAAM JNR will be celebrating the talents of North Devon’s YOUTH BANDS, SINGERS AND CHOIRS featuring a broad spectrum of music from rock ’n roll bands to folksy bands and individual singers, from youth theatre groups, senior schools and colleges, pantomimes and interspersed with one or two SENIOR ENTERTAINERS so that young people may gain knowledge and experience from them.Top of the bill for the Youth Session will be 17 year old award winning singer/songwriter Yazzy Chamberlain. Scroll down for ticket information. Find out all about the Westward Ho! and Appledore Music Showcase check out their new website.

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Tickets are on sale at Delicadevon and The Co-operative Food, Westward Ho! and The Coffee Cabin, The Quay, Appledore AND OF COURSE AT THE DOOR! Reservations are acceptable by email for collection at the door. Email: noahsark@uku.co.uk

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Tap here for WHAAM JR Website

Tap here to find out about Yazzy Chamberlain

Petroc student organised Blues Brother Event raises thousands for Children's Holiday Foundation North Devon

Jackie Johns who is studying for her Foundation Degree in Events Management at Petroc raised £3265 for popular local charity Children's Holiday Foundation North Devon.

On Friday 22nd of April The Fugitive Blues Brothers appeared at The Pier House, Westward Ho! for a tribute evening packed with fun, laughter and dancing. As the sun was setting and the drinks were flowing there was a live auction with fabulous prizes donated by local North Devon business. Andrew Levick from Philip Smith & Dunn, the auctioneer for the evening was flamboyant and enthusiastic in conducting the auction making it light hearted and fun.

Jackie Johns has been working on this event to fulfil her Event Planning and Implementation second year module for her Event Management degree. Module leader for 'Event Planning and Implementation' Clare Chapple said
"It has been impressive to see the work Jackie put into the build-up of event, it is evident she had learnt so much from her studies here at Petroc. Her engagement with local businesses which resulted in an impressive variety of auction items. Jackie is going to make a fantastic Event Manager."

She enlisted the help of first year Event Management students Katie Kersey, Millie Wells and Katherine Harvey who assisted with the auction, raffle, décor and hospitality. Music between sets provided by Dean Kersey from Phatdog Discos. "Jackie's event was an extraordinarily well organised and attended evening. It was a thoroughly enjoyable night which raised a great deal for a good cause." Nicola Davies - Petroc.

Coincidentally on same night the Blues Brothers appeared, eight local children from North Devon landed in America for 2016's 'Holiday of a Lifetime', organised and funded by Children's Holiday Foundation North Devon. Jackie said
"It was an honour to be raising funds for the next trip and exciting that we managed to raise so much money on the night. Rob Braddick has been extremely supportive in letting me use The Pier House for this event, the staff were fabulous. I would love to support this charity again in the future."

Entertainment from The Fugitive Blues Brother was the perfect combination of live music from The Blues Brothers song books and audience participation and comedy. Songs included Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, Gimme Some Lovin', Soul Man and Jailhouse Rock. With audience wanting more, and unscheduled encore was agreed with a whip-round using the artist's iconic trilby hat!
"We were honoured to have been invited to be a part of a fundraiser for such a lovely cause. We have done events in the past and they were nowhere near as fun as this night. We would like to congratulate Jackie on running such a brilliant night." Thomas Mitchelles (Elwood Blues)

Jackie Johns and Clare Chapple met with Dr Buckland, founder of Children's Holiday Foundation at the end of May for a cheque presentation totalling £3265 Dr Robin Buckland said
"I would like to congratulate Jacqueline Johns on her amazing fundraising achievement on behalf of Petroc. The money will be used on the next holiday to Florida for eight more North Devon children in April 2017. This was one of the biggest cheques we have ever received." 

Cheque Presentation: Jackie Johns, Dr Buckland, founder of Children's Holiday Foundation and Clare Chapple.Photo copyright MK Collins Photography (All Rights Reserved)

 

Jackie Johns with Katie Kersey, Millie Wells and Katherine Harvey - Photo copyright MK Collins Photography (All Rights Reserved)

The  event featuring The Fugitive Blues Brothers was held at The Pier House, Westward Ho! 

Music between sets provided by Dean Kersey from Phatdog Discos -
Photos copyright MK Collins Photography (All Rights Reserved)

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

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

BioBonanza for B10 on Northam Burrows

The Northam Burrows Team are running a BioBonanza for B10, celebrating ten years of North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve. on Tuesday 27 August 2013 9am – 4pm at Northam Burrows Visitor Centre, Westward Ho! This will be a fun and fact filled day on this special, protected area of North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve. Activities will take place in the fabulous inflatable North Devon Biosphere dome and out on the Burrows:

• Bird Walk and Moth Trapping (9.00am-11.00am) 
• Flower Trail (11.00am-1pm) 
• Arts and Crafts (12.00pm-4.00pm) 
• Rockpooling (2pm-4pm) Meet at the Westward Ho! Slipway

In the Northam Burrows Visitor Centre you will be able to add your chosen words to the B10 word cloud and there will be an opportunity to enter the B10 prize draw with lots of lovely prizes donated by local Biosphere supporters including; a wildlife cruise on the Ilfracombe Princess and a trip to Lundy on the MS Oldenburg.

Photos: Inflatable North Devon Biosphere Dome copyright North Devon Biosphere Reserve
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Northam Burrows B10 BioBonanza Tuesday 27 August 2013 9am – 4pm
Northam Burrows Visitor Centre, Westward Ho! North Devon

AUTUMN EXPOSURE. COASTAL EROSION WESTWARD HO!

The famous Pebble Ridge has always protected Northam Burrows from the ravages of the Atlantic Ocean at Westward Ho! On a damp, grey day we took a rain soaked, windswept walk from the slipway down to the end of the Spit to the estuary and although it wasn't a great day for photographs I thought I would document the alarming erosion taking place. The pictures show where a huge gap has opened up completely devoid of pebbles leaving the Sand Dunes vulnerable and totally unprotected. The Dunes here are now eroding and great clumps of Marram grass can been seen strewn about. Article by Pat Adams (photos 23rd September 2012)

Explore the Westward Ho!, Northam Burrows and the Pebble Ridge with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

One Year Ago Today. Swell Time at Westward Ho!

As the region prepares itself for more rain and flood warnings we look back one  year ago today and a swell time at Westward Ho!. It was a warm, balmy day with a particularly high tide. People never seem to tire of the sight of the mighty ocean pounding on Westward Ho! slipway rocks and the Pebbleridge. It was fantastic to capture the stunning rainbow highlight as the “Wild Horses” crashed over the shore before splashing up high on the pebbles. Surfers were taking advantage of the huge waves, even the lifeguard took a trip out on his belly board. This is just one of the Autumn Highlights around Bideford Bay, it’s also a time for dramatic skies, coast and country walks amidst berry laden hedgerows and burnished bracken. Be on the look-out for late butterflies and fungi,  the departure of the swallows and the arrival of the winter flocks on the Skern. For more Autumn Highlights check out the North Devon Focus Flickr slideshow. Article Pat Adams 25/9/12
 

Brigadoon or Northam Burrows

Clear sunny morning to start but as we travelled down the Atlantic Highway the sea mist was rolling in, swirling over the countryside like a wave. It has been like this for more than a week. Northam Burrows Country  Park and Westward Ho! were completely shrouded.  A learner rider chose possibly the worse day to try out his  motorbike on the Burrows road. As we walked towards Grey Sands Hill we could hear a helicopter hovering close to shore by the estuary but it was nowhere to be seen nor was Chivenor, the Biosphere or Appledore. We walked to the end of the Spit and a dead porpoise lay prone on the pebbles adding to the eerie scene. The lack of visibility did not deter the golfers who emerged silently from the mist as we made our way back down beside the Dunes and across the links where sheep and horses grazed. Creepily silent, only two gulls and what I think were a pair of busy skylarks. Back at a bustling Westward Ho!, the Carousel Amusements and Slipway Takeaway were open. We didn’t see the sea but heard it and the resident Bingo caller singing "two fat ducks, quackity, quack". The good news is Spring is on the way Hockings Ice Cream Vans are back and I’ve seen my first ladybird.  (Article P Adams 11 March 2012)

The Skern

Beyond Grey Sands Hill

Mists of Time on the Burrows

Journey's End

Where Fore Art Thou!

I still like to be beside the seaside

Explore Northam Burrows Country Park with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

Explore Westward Ho! with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour
"Brigadoon, a miraculously blessed village that rises out of the mists every hundred years for only a day" (Brigadoon (film) Wikipedia Stub 

Westward Ho! Gimme Shelter!

Gone but not forgotten! Westward Ho! Village Green enhancement started in March 2011 with the creation of a modern landscaped green with open spaces, paths, low bench seating and sympathetic planting. The pictures below of the old Village Green have been taken at various times of the year. The old shelter, now removed, has been a haven for locals and holidaymakers for years. Where else can you find some shade from the Summer sun, snuggle up in the Winter or eat your ice cream and fish n' chips on a windy day beside the seaside! If you want to share any information about the old shelter please leave a comment

Explore Westward Ho! with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

Bideford Bay Beachcombing

Wind Chill Factor Westward Ho! -3rd January 2010. All photos,articles copyright P. M. Adams North Devon Focus all rights reserved. It’s freezing cold but dry and sunny so perfect for a New Year stroll on the beach at Westward Ho! At the slipway we move aside for three horse riders taking advantage of the two mile stretch of firm sand and a rare opportunity to enjoy an uninterrupted gallop. The tide is a long way out thus exposing the hulk of one, of two, rarely visible Westward Ho! wrecks. Took some photos from different angles but my hands were so numb with the cold that I couldn’t actually feel the shutter button. As I was testing a new lens, I decided to take close up shots and made my way up the beach, head down searching for interesting sand formations, sea creatures, seaweed, shells and pebbles on the lower and middle shoreline moving towards the strandline and the Pebble Ridge. Even after recent storms this is a wonderful clean beach worthy of its’ Blue Flag status. We spent about an hour beachcombing and saw plenty of razor shells, periwinkles, whelks, mussels, tiny crabs and other crustaceans, kelp, wrack, sea urchins and lots of sea potatoes. Sea pototoes or heart-urchins are, weirdly, heart-shaped and covered in fur! They are normally hidden beneath the sand and only appear on the surface when washed up after stormy weather. Suddenly the noise of the wind and crashing surf was completely drowned out by the loud thundering hooves of the horses as they galloped back down the beach from Sandymere. Only three horses, but the sound carried some distance so one can only imagine the sound of the 500 horses in the Charge of the Light Brigade. The beach is still practically deserted, a few dog walkers, one lone hardy surfer and one kite buggy circling far off beside the sand dunes. Northam Burrows Country Park is beyond the Pebble Ridge at Westward Ho! on the Atlantic Heritage Coast. The Northam Burrows Country Park, at the mouth of the Taw Torridge Estuary, is a designated site of scientific interest and forms part of the United Nations Biosphere Reserve. If you can identify any of the shorelife in these pictures please let us know.