SHORT FILM: LIVING AND WORKING ON LUNDY ISLAND

Following several sneaky cameo appearances, North Devon's iconic Lundy passenger and supply boat the MS Oldenburg has her own starring role in Living and Working on Lundy Island, the latest short film in the Boat Stories series.

In the Boat Stories series so far we have been up the rivers and out to sea, often catching a glimpse of the Oldenburg as she sails out of Bideford or Ilfracombe. We now travel with her out to Lundy to meet the Island's warden Beccy MacDonald.

On an island with a tiny working population, Lundy workers learn to multi task. Beccy overseas research projects and, working in the field herself, monitors puffins and surveys seals. She meets the Oldenburg as it delivers day trippers, wildlife enthusiasts and researchers and offloads essential supplies - like clotted cream - she keeps visitors informed - running guided walks and snorkel safaris. As a member of the island coastguard team Beccy's radio crackles constantly as she is the contact for all visiting charter boats and fishermen. Along with Jonny, her partner, Beccy fills divers’ air bottles and when housekeeping is stretched in the busy season, like the rest of the team and volunteers, she mucks in to help with bed making!

This short film captures the beauty of the island and its wildlife but also highlights an issue which is having an impact on marine life in North Devon and around the world. 

Boat Stories Producer, Jo Stewart-Smith says "We were walking along the coast path filming Beccy doing her seal survey when she turned and said ‘there’s something here I really want you to film.’ She’d spotted the pale seal with some plastic caught around its neck, which a diver had reported to her. While the other seals, hauled out next to it relaxed, totally chilled, the pale seal was rubbing her neck and scratching at it with her flipper. Beccy explained that unfortunately because Lundy is a rocky island it would be impossible to dart the seal to try and remove the entanglement because she’d jump straight into the sea and drown. 'It may upset people' she said, 'but it is something they should be aware of – the marine litter has quite a negative impact on all our wildlife, even on something as large as a seal.'"

Natalie Gibb from North Devon Coast AONB led Clean Marine project adds “It’s a fabulous film. Although incredibly sad, the example of the entangled seal on Lundy is a great way to put the issue of marine litter into perspective. I’ve seen many distressing images of injured wildlife, but I have never witnessed it directly, especially so close to home. It’s something that I hope many people can all relate to, with it happening right on our doorstep. It also reminds us that every piece of rubbish the Clean Marine and other volunteers pick up is worth removing. It’s that little bit of incentive we all need to keep us going when we head out on our next beach clean.”

Along with the other Boat Stories short films, Living and Working on Lundy can be viewed on the Boat Stories website www.boatstories.co.uk where you can read more about the making of the film.  Additionally, this coming September and October there will be two free Boat Stories celebration events, in Bideford and Ilfracombe, where members of the public will be able to view the complete series of films and meet the contributors and crew.

 

Simon Vacher filming Lundy warden, Beccy MacDonald

MS Oldenburg ferry sailing to Lundy 

Photos copyright Boat Stories Jo Stewart-Smith (All rights reserved)

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The Boat Stories series of short films is available to view free online at www.boatstories.co.uk.

Filmed and edited by Simon Vacher

Music by Rosamund Harper

Directed & produced by Jo Stewart-Smith

Baby boost for Devon beavers

New film footage proves that England's only wild beaver population is growing. The footage, taken by local film-maker Tom Buckley, shows baby beavers - known as kits - taking their first swimming lessons and being helped through the water by their mother at an undisclosed location on East Devon's River Otter. The births signal the latest chapter in a story which has attracted great support from the local community. Devon Wildlife Trust is leading the River Otter Beaver Trial in partnership with landowner Clinton Devon Estates, the University of Exeter and the Derek Gow Partnership. 

Devon Wildlife Trust's Mark Elliott said: "We are thrilled that the beavers have bred. The baby kits appear fit and healthy and the adults seem as if they are taking their parenting responsibilities very seriously. It tells us that the beavers are very much at home in this corner of Devon. "The slowly expanding population of these wild animals will help us to gain valuable insights into beavers and their environment - both in terms of animal behaviour and any benefits and effects on the surrounding river system." Mark also makes a plea to people who might want to catch a glimpse of the new additions to a local beaver population: "The beavers have proved enormously popular with local people and we understand that many will now want to see the kits for themselves. But like all new parents, the beavers will need a bit space and peace at this time. So we ask that visitors take care not to disturb them. This means remaining on public footpaths, keeping a respectful distance from them, and keeping dogs under close control especially when near the river." 

A population of beavers was first confirmed on the River Otter in February 2014. This was the first time that breeding beavers were known to be living in the English countryside for as much as 400 years. In summer 2014 Defra expressed its intention to remove the animals citing their potential disease risk and their unplanned introduction as reasons. It was at this stage that Devon Wildlife Trust built a partnership of supportive local landowners, academic institutions and beaver veterinary and management experts to offer a different solution, to turn the situation into England's first wild beaver monitoring project. In January 2015, Devon Wildlife Trust received a licence from Natural England allowing the beavers to stay. The licence also signalled the setting-up of the River Otter Beaver Trial - a project which will measure the benefits and impacts of the animals on local landscapes, wildlife, communities and businesses, especially farming.
Natural England's licence stipulated that the beavers had to be health screened. This meant capturing all the adults which were known to be living on the river. The captures were carried out in February this year - the tests found them clear of disease.

Mark Elliott of Devon Wildlife Trust looks ahead to the beavers' prospects: "Beavers give birth to an average of three kits. If both mothers have given birth that could mean that there are now up to 15 beavers on the River Otter. Beavers are relatively slow breeders and it's possible that not all the kits will make it to adulthood. This means the expansion of their numbers during the coming years will be steady rather than rapid. The River Otter certainly has room for a slowly growing population. The kits present us with a unique opportunity to study the development of a beaver population in the English countryside."
 Dr Sam Bridgewater, Nature Conservation Manager for Clinton Devon Estates, commented on the arrival of baby beavers: "The birth of the kits is very exciting as it indicates that beavers can thrive in the lower River Otter. We still have much to learn about the impacts of an expanding beaver population on the Devon landscape. Although we know that beavers can improve the ecological health of rivers, we also know that their damming - particularly in upper catchment areas - and tree-felling behaviour can cause conflict. One of the key objectives of the partnership over the five year trial is to gather evidence to clarify the positive and negative impacts of this species and the management techniques that will likely be required in the future to minimise any detrimental impacts of an increasing population."
Tom Buckley captured the fabulous footage of the beaver and kits. He said: "When I saw these new born baby beavers (kits) I was totally overwhelmed and thought it must be a miracle. My first sighting of this year's new born kits was when I saw their mother swimming with one of them in her mouth to an area nearby where their father was waiting to greet them. One of the kits, however, seemed extremely unhappy to be out in the big wide world and as soon as its mother let it go it rushed back to its burrow. Not surprising really - the world can be a very scary place. This was possibly their first experience of what lies outside of their burrow." The Wildlife Trusts are at the forefront of bringing back beavers to the UK. Read more at http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/beavers

Film of Devon's wild beaver kits taken by Tom Buckley who spent many weeks waiting patiently to capture this footage. These wild kits are a boost to the River Otter Beaver Trial which began in Spring of 2015 led by Devon Wildlife Trust in partnership with landowner Clinton Devon Estates, the University of Exeter and the Derek Gow Partnership.

All footage Copyright Tom Buckley (All Rights Reserved)

Counting Butterflies “Fleeting encounters, lasting memories”

I read the news today - over ten million Painted Lady butterflies are winging their way to the UK. Until the Buddleia starts flowering in my garden I’m happy watching the Speckled Wood as they dart and dance together over the garden before separating and settling momentarily. My first butterfly sighting in January was a Tortoiseshell which I disturbed when cleaning the downstairs loo. It settled on the window sill and remained dormant until late April, which I am sad to say was when it died. To date in my garden or on my walks I have seen ten Speckled Wood, ten White, three Orange Tip, four Common Blue, one Peacock, five Brimstone and a Small Heath plus a Silver Line Moth, Speckled Yellow Moth and finally a huge Drinker Moth caterpillar. When my Buddleia and Hydrangea are in full bloom in July, they are normally covered in Red Admiral, Peacock and Tortoiseshell but I will be watching out for those Painted Ladies and hope for the return of a seldom seen Clouded Yellow or Fritillary. Spotting them is easy, photographing them, however, is quite different. Get too close and your shadow and the lens scares them away, annoyingly not too far away, normally on the next flower. I now use a long lens with an extension tube so they don’t know I’m there. Here is a photo of a Speckled Wood taken a couple of days ago. It rested for quite a time on the fresh new leaves of the Rhododendron, conveniently opening and closing its wings as if posing for the shot. I wish they were all so accommodating. “Fleeting encounters, lasting memories” was just one of the aptly descriptive quotes on a wonderful Radio 4 programme presented by Brett Westwood, who you may have just seen on BBC Springwatch Extra. The programme, Natural Histories, Butterflies, depicts how butterflies have enthralled and influenced people throughout history. 

 

Speckled Wood Photo Pat Adams (All rights reserved)

Drinker Moth Caterpillar Photo copyright Pat Adams (All rights reserved)
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•  Brett Westwood is a radio presenter and author, specialising in natural history.  
• Wikipedia Stub https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_WestwoodI
• Butterflies Natural Histories http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w99rp

• Butterfly enthusiasts should also visit The ButterflyConservation UK website for information or help with identifying species.
• Read all about it  http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/11-million-painted-lady-butterflies-set-UK/story-26705200-detail/story.html
• North Devon AONB News 

UPDATE. About 20 Painted Lady butterflies spotted on the Hartland Heritage Coast 21st June 2015

S is for SNAKE. Watch where you're walking on hot balmy days.

Found this little critter taking a sunny wander on the busy coast road at the Valley of Rocks, Lynton & Lynmouth on Sunday 7th June. Thanks to watching the feature on Adders on  BBC Springwatch recently I recognised it as a female Adder. I have never seen one before as they tend to hunker down in the undergrowth. We moved it back to the safety of the bracken, which is probably wrong but it was about to get squashed by a car! If you are a walker, explorer or dog walker you might want to read this Safety Note from Devon Wildlife Trust http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/species/Adder/

 

Adder bites are rarely fatal to a healthy adult human but medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. If you are concerned about the safety of your dog, please refer to this ARC leaflet: http://www.arc-trust.org/…/Docume…/Dogs-n-Adders-leaflet.pdf

 

Female Adder

 

Female Adder 

Coast Road below at Valley of Rocks

Photos Pat Adams North Devon Focus (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

"Live at the Factory" Chas and Dave will be making a welcome return to North Devon in September

Chas and Dave will be returning to North Devon after 7 years away at The Factory on Friday 25th September. It sees Chas and Dave return to their roots with a collection of early R&B, skiffle and rock n' roll classics alongside new takes on songs of their own.
Now Chas and Dave will mark their 50th year in music together. It represents their first new studio album for a generation - 27 years to be precise! Chas and Dave disbanded in 2009 following the retirement of Dave Peacock after his wife's death. However, in 2010 the boys announced their return to the live circuit due to huge public support.
Their debut album 'One Fing 'n' Anuvver' was released on the Retreat label in 1975 earning critical acclaim from the likes of John Peel among others. This self-produced offering was perhaps the first (definitely the strongest) example of cockney Rock 'n' Roll, with song titles such as 'Ponders End Allotments Club' giving a strong North London angle to the genre. Their proudly cockney vocals and exuberant good humour, blended with their love for genuine Rock'n'Roll, led them to title their 1978 EMI album 'Rockney' (later to become their label name) which featured some top quality songwriting and was championed, before their commercial success, by the influential DJ Charlie Gillett. They followed up with 'The Sideboard Song (Got my Beer in The Sideboard Here)' from their third album 'Don't Give A Monkey's' , and their two most successful singles, 1980's 'Rabbit' (from the same album) and the fine, more reflective ballad 'Ain't No Pleasing You' two years later. In between they recorded their first live album - 'Live At Abbey Road' - for EMI. The famous Studio One being converted into an East end pub for the occasion with friends and industry invited.
In 2005 Chas & Dave joined forces with EMI once more resulting in two top selling CD releases. The year also saw their long overdue debut at the Glastonbury Festival as they packed out the acoustic stage with over thirty thousand fans singing along.
In this new century, Chas & Dave's appeal has never been greater or more varied. The audiences are getting younger without the boys deliberately trying to appeal to the youth, and new bands are citing them as a major influence.

Advance tickets are £22.50 plus box office booking fee available from www.thefactoryvenue.co.uk . 

Physical tickets are available from Beatsworkin Queen Street Barnstaple, North Devon Theatres Box Offices and Petroc Brannams Campus Reception.

 Local support is to be announced. 

This is a standing only event. Under 16's must be accompanied by an adult.

Frithelstock Fest primed to showcase the best of North Devon talent

So in March this year Ian Robertson, landlord of The Clinton Arms , was talking to Mark Venus, of the band Vapor,  about wanting to raise some money for The Childrens Hospice South West and this was when the idea of Frithelstock Fest began. Since then a great deal of pleading has occurred with some worthwhile results. The Bideford Youth Pipe Band will start the family friendly event off on Saturday August 22nd at 1 pm, followed by the Exmoor Border Morris providing some appropriate Village Green entertainment with an appearance from Herne Falconry too. From 2.45 10 bands and solo acts will be playing on the music stage .

The brilliant line-up includes 

Small Town Jones

The Lyers

Two Dog Knight

Rat Pack Pete

Yazzy

Sophie Sutton

Canyon Ryde

Westerly 5 or 6

Cross Eyed Bear 

and Vapor.

Entrance will be free but donations will be asked for The Childrens Hospice South West. Catering will be provided by the local Devon Food Co. There will be stalls and face painting too. This is a day not to be missed as it will show case some of the best talent North Devon has to offer whilst raising funds for a very deserving cause

 Frithelstock Fest supporting Chidrens Hospice South West . Saturday Aug 22nd -1pm till Late

Frithelstock Village Green

Free Entry

Future of Devon bats to be decided at High Court

The future of a population of one of northern Europe's most threatened wildlife species will be the focus of a High Court action in Bristol on Friday 12 June. The court granted permission for the claim to proceed in April 2014.
The charity Devon Wildlife Trust is bringing the Judicial Review against a planning decision made by Teignbridge District Council to grant permission for up to 230 houses to be built on land which lies just 170 metres from an internationally important site where female greater horseshoe bats congregate to give birth and raise their young. Devon Wildlife Trust has taken this unusual step in the court because the Rocklands development on the edge of Chudleigh, in South Devon, will pose a serious threat to the future of these rare bats. Chudleigh's population of greater horseshoe bats is one of the largest left in the UK but overall the species is in serious decline. The Devon bats use a site close to the Chudleigh town centre as a place to hibernate in winter and as a summer maternity roost in which to raise their young. The caves have protection from disturbance and development, and form part of the South Hams Special Area of Conservation. However, this same protection does not extend to the surrounding green fields and hedgerows which act as vital feeding grounds and flightpaths for the bats. It is the decision of Teignbridge District Council to permit a development of 230 houses in this bat-friendly landscape that Devon Wildlife Trust is taking court action to try to overturn.
Devon Wildlife Trust's Chief Executive Harry Barton said: 'These bats are some of the rarest UK mammals and Devon's rural landscapes offer one of the last places which they have left. The importance of the decision by the High Court on Friday cannot be overstated. We believe that the needs of the species haven't been properly taken into consideration in the decision to give the go ahead for 230 houses to be built so close by.'
'We recognise that there is an acute housing shortage in the country. However, this case is about ensuring we have the right scale of development in the right place. Chudleigh has grown by 67% since 1950 and is scheduled to expand by a further 435 homes. During the same period the extent of hedgerows, which the bats use to navigate to their favourite foraging grounds, have halved. Cramming development into the remaining green fields around the town threatens the future of this special landscape and the bats and other wildlife which it supports.'
Harry Barton added: 'Farmers in Chudleigh have been working hard to reverse the decline in greater horseshoe populations by maintaining wildflower rich, cattle grazed pastures. It is ironic that this hard work could be undone forever by poor planning decisions.'
Greater horseshoe bats have suffered a catastrophic decline in the past 100 years. This large bat, with a wingspan of almost 40cm, was once common across southern England, but changes in land-use such as urban development and a move away from cattle grazed pastures and hay meadows has seen its numbers tumble by more than 90% since the early 1900s. This has left greater horseshoe bats clinging on in just a few areas. Devon remains one place where the bats can still be seen and supports the largest population in the whole of northern Europe. With just 6,500 greater horseshoe bats left in the UK, a third of these survive in the county.
Devon's greater horseshoe bats are now restricted to just 11 key roosts. But now with the Chudleigh roost threatened by a housing development, Devon Wildlife Trust is concerned that the endangered species will be dealt a devastating blow. Harry Barton, Chief Executive of Devon Wildlife Trust said: 'We have opposed this housing development from its beginnings in 2013; we opposed it at its initial application stage and at a public hearing, all without success. We are very concerned that this may be the last chance we have to make a difference to the greater horseshoe bats of Chudleigh and this is why we had no option but to take Teignbridge District Council to the High Court.'
'We are also holding authorities to account which have to adhere to the most important wildlife legislation in the Country, the European Habitat Regulations. This critical legislation is there to support our most endangered habitats and species populations and is currently under threat by moves to reduce its powers. We hope that our case will set a clear precedent that will help give endangered species populations across Europe a brighter future.'
The Judicial Review is being heard on Friday 12 June at the High Court in Bristol. The solicitors acting for Devon Wildlife Trust are Richard Buxton Environmental & Public Law and the barrister is Jenny Wigley, No 5 chambers
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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

30 Days Wild: Can you make room for nature this June? An exciting new challenge for everyone!

This June, Devon Wildlife Trust is asking everyone to do something wild every day for a month. The challenge is simple and designed to delight. The charity wants us all to make room in our busy lives for nature - no matter where you are or how hectic your schedule.
The message from The Trust's spokesperson Steve Hussey couldn't be clearer: 'We want to make June the month when you do something wild every day - and let us motivate you!' Devon Wildlife Trust's invitation is part of a national campaign being run by the The Wildlife Trusts. Everyone who signs up to 30 Days Wild - the UK's first ever month-long nature challenge - will receive a download pack full of encouragement, ideas and 'Random Acts of Wildness'. They will also receive a funky wallchart to track progress, a wild badge, and regular blasts of inspiration throughout June straight to their inbox to help everyone make nature part of their lives.
The 30 Days Wild sign-up page is www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild. 
A short film featuring Devon Wildlife Trust's Jasmine Atkinson is being used to promote 30 Days Wild across the UK. Jasmine appears in the video (available to see at www.devonwildlifetrust.org) paddling in a Dartmoor stream and taking a twilight walk. Jasmine says: 'Detect, discover, dig; invite, inhale, immerse; shout, scatter and sweep... we've put together 101 fun and intriguing ideas to get you started. It's not hard and doesn't even matter if you miss a day or two - we won't tell anyone!  30 Days Wild is all about making time for nature in your life - and it's free.' 
BBC Countryfile presenter Ellie Harrison* is a supporter of The Wildlife Trusts' month-long challenge. She can't wait to get started - she says: 'This month we want you to do something wild! You could climb to the highest hill, take a wild photo or even follow a bumble bee to see where it takes you. Join us for 30 Days Wild and find your wild life!' 
The emphasis of 30 Days Wild is all about enjoying nature, but the campaign is underpinned by a serious message. Devon Wildlife Trust's Steve Hussey says: 'We know that a generation of children is growing up disconnected from nature - only 1 in 10 children ever play in wild places. But this is a problem that affects adults too. It can be difficult to create the right moment or to find time for nature in busy lives. We're here to inspire people - whatever your age, wherever you live, we want everyone to feel they can take part.' 
The Wildlife Trusts are asking people to invent their own 'Random Acts of Wildness' or use our list for our inspiration - these acts are everyday ways to connect with nature or help wildlife. This could be as simple as: 

•  Inhale: take a few seconds out to smell a wildflower 
•  Record: put wild sounds onto your phone and make them your ringtone - you'll be transported back to the wild every time you get a call 
•  Encounter: share a close encounter with a favourite species 
•  Create: make a wild work of art outdoors and leave it for others to enjoy 

To get started people are being urged to visit the Devon Wildlife Trust 30 Days Wild webpage at www.devonwildlifetrust.org Devon Wildlife Trust is hoping to make June a really wild month and is asking people to join in, connect with nature and share their experiences, photos and ideas using #30DaysWild on Twitter
 *Ellie Harrison presents BBC Countryfile and is the president of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

New Orleans Jazz Evening at the Clinton Arms – Saturday 30 May

Come along and enjoy the sounds and tastes of the Mississippi with an evening of jazz at the Clinton Arms. There will be live New Orleans music from the Retro Rhythm Rascals as well as Cajun culinary delights created by Pete Robertson. The Retro Rhythm Rascals is a vintage jazz quintet influenced by the music and styles of the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Let them take you back to Bourbon Street in the roaring 20’s as you enjoy a scrumptious soul-food menu created especially for the evening. Pete will be cooking up a Creole feast, including gumbo, pulled pork and jerk chicken. To book your table, call 01805 623279. Music starts at 8pm. Entry is free, so get your glad rags on and join us for some fun!

 Retro Rhythm Rascals: Website  - Facebook - Twitter

Tap here for Clinton Arms News and Forthcoming Events

Charged Up Folk band Castletown play the Clinton Arms 29th May

Castletown will be landing at the Clinton Arms to play on the 29th May at 9pm.  
Castletown are a Bradninch based three piece folk band composed of Derek Kerr, Neil Moulton and Theo Jackson. Derek formed Castletown in 2003 and is the vocalist and plays the guitar, Neil comes from a musical family and is also known for playing his violin with his brothers MacKenzie and Bruce as the Moulton Brothers. Theo, also a vocalist, has been playing Bass for 27 years and Double Bass for 20 years. Based in New Zealand till 1999 then UK thereafter

Castletown's music is romantically focused on the shipwrecks, lost sailors and people from centuries ago who lived and worked on Devon's coast. Castletown are renowned for playing traditional tunes as they should be played, full of rhythm, feeling and fun. Their music is influenced by bands such as Steeleye Span, The Pogues and the Corries. They’ve been popping up at festivals in South West since 2003 They will also be playing at this years Tiverton Balloon Festival in July.

Photo copyright Castletown (All rights reserved)

Download Castletown Music: https://www.facebook.com/castletownband/app_2405167945
Tap links for Information about Castletown
https://www.facebook.com/castletownband
https://www.reverbnation.com/castletownband

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This is just one of the many quality music gigs that the Clinton Arms provides for the discerning gig attender each Friday at 9pm. EVERY GIG IS FREE

Tap here for Clinton Arms News and Forthcoming Events: 

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The CLINTON ARMS, Frithelstock, Torrington, North Devon EX38 8JH. 

Champion students get power boost

Champion students get power boost 60 Devon students who have been specially selected by their schools and colleges to work for the region's marine environment have received a significant boost from a leading energy company.
The Marine Wildlife Champions project was set-up in 2014 by Devon Wildlife Trust. It brings together children from six schools and colleges in the Plymouth area. Each of the participating school's select their own Marine Champions - 10 students who then work with The Trust to help achieve three goals:
* To increase knowledge and understanding of the marine environment and the challenges it faces.
* To champion marine wildlife and to take the lead in affecting behavioural change in their own communities.
* To work as a team and present findings to wider audiences.
Now the work of these Champions has been boosted with news of generous funding support from Western Power Distribution.
At a recent event held at one participating school, Longcause Community Special School, in Plymouth, Western Power Distribution's Gary Beasley met with the school's 10 Marine Wildlife Champions to learn about their work and tell them the good news. Gary said:
"Marine conservation is something we can all support no matter how large or small our contribution we all have an important role to play in protecting the marine environment. Something as easy as taking home plastic bottles from the beach will help improve our coastlines! These sessions are informative but fun and I look forward to seeing the outcome from the individual projects."
As well as meeting Gary, the school's Marine Champions had also gathered to hear from Devon Wildlife Trust's Marine Awareness Officer Coral Smith about their work for the coming year. After a presentation from Coral about the main environmental challenges facing marine life, the Champions voted (with their eyes closed!) for the issue that they most wanted to concentrate on in the coming months. Facing a choice between Terrestrial Pollution, Plastic Pollution, Climate Change, Over Fishing and Protection of the Sea, a quick count established 'Overfishing' as the outright winner taking 5 out of the 10 votes.
Devon Wildlife Trust Marine Education Officer Coral Smith said: "We spent a very rewarding morning at Longcause Community Special School, working with their wonderful Marine Wildlife Champions. The students were presented with the 5 main challenges facing today's marine environment and they have chosen to tackle the problem of 'Overfishing.' This will be the issue they now concentrate on over the coming months. I can't wait to see what outcomes they come up with at the end of the project!" Coral added: "Western Power Distribution's support is great news because it ensures that we can properly resource this work, establishing the importance of the marine environment to young people. Funding allows us to offer it free of charge to the schools. Through allowing students to make their own decisions and come up with their own solutions we aim to produce tomorrow's advocates for more healthy and sustainable seas."

Pupils (William, left, and Jack) from Longcause Community School, Plymouth with Gary Beasley of Western Power Distribution and Coral Smith of Devon Wildlife Trust. Photo copyright Apex/Western Power Distribution (All rights reserved).

Another Spring in an ancient woodland

Still no Swifts but at last I have seen the first signs of the Hawthorne blossom in my garden. The May Flowers will soon be putting on a spectacular display along the Atlantic Highway, a snowy white corridor, a magical gateway to Bideford Bay and the Hartland Heritage Coast. This is a perfect time for a walk in the countryside or a chance to explore an ancient woodland. By the middle of the merry month of May the leaves on the trees are a stunning vivid green, translucent in the sunlight, perfect, for a while at least, before the rain and the wind tarnishes them. The wonder of an ancient woodland, year after year the wild flowers return carpeting the ground, path verges and banks. The signs are there for all to see in early Spring, Snowdrops, Alexanders, Primroses, Dandelion, Yellow Pimpernel, Dogs Mercury, Herb Robert and Lesser Celandine. These are followed by Bluebells, Bugle, Cuckoo Flower, Speedwell, Wood Anemone, Red Campion, Greater Stitchwort, Woodruff, Dog Violet, Common Sorrel, Early Spotted Orchid, Creeping Buttercup and carpets of Ramsons. At this time of the year "In the Greenwood" it's fun to identify the trees by the shape of their pristine leaves Oak, Beech, Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Holly, Mountain Ash, Willow and more. Fighting for space in the woodland floor are a mass of upwardly mobile ferns, a host of rare grasses, lichens and maybe some fungi clinging to a fallen moss-laden tree. So much to see so enjoy your woodland WALK, WATCH & LISTEN

LOCAL WOODLAND WONDERS - WALK, WATCH & LISTEN

•  Discover RSPB Reserve Chapel Wood,two miles north of Braunton
• Discover Hartland Abbey Gardens and Woodland Walk to the Sea
• Visit the Woodland Trust website to find a wood near you
• Discover Devon Wildlife Trust's Marsland Nature Reserve near Hartland
• Explore Marsland near Hartland with TV Presenter and Naturalist Nick Baker
• Become a Nature Recorder - Record what you've seen on Nature's Calender
• How to identify Woodland Birds

From the Cardiff Millennium Centre to The Clinton Arms- Wildwood Kin to play their first North Devon Gig

In the wake of their performance at the BBC2 Folk Awards, Alt Folk band Wildwood Kin will be playing their first gig in North Devon at The Clinton Arms in Frithelstock, North Devon on the 8th May.They are one of the many quality music acts that appear at the Clinton Arms FREE live music sessions every Friday.

Wildwood Kin are an Exeter based alt folk band composed of Emillie Key, Beth Key, Meghann Loney. In 2013 Wildwood Kin won the Open Mic UK music competition at the NEC Birmingham against more than 9000 acts. This year they were nominated for the BB2 Young Folk Award and were shortlisted to the last 4 and performed on April 22nd at The Millennium Centre in Cardiff broadcast on Radio 2. April 2015 was a very busy month for Wildwood Kin as they also played with Seth Lakeman at The Watering Hole in Perranporth. Wildwood Kin have been compared to harmony focused bands such as Fleet Foxes. They grew up listening to a great diversity of music such as James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Queen. They also state they are influenced by The Staves, Mumford & Sons, James Taylor, Phil Collins, The Wailin' Jennies. Their harmonies are helped by being part of the same family and growing up together which was highlighted by Nancy Kerr (BBC Folk Singer of the Year). She said their harmonies were so gorgeous. “that sonically they were coming from the same place”. Emillie and Beth are sisters and Meg is their cousin.

Wildwood Kin pictured with Guy Garvey at the BBC2 Folk Awards at The Millennium Centre Cardiff

Wildwood Kin Music and Appearances
Wildwood Kin- ‘The Valley’ -Wildwood Kin perform 'The Valley' as an exclusive online track for BBC Introducing in Devon:
James Santer of BBC Introducing in Devon stated about this gig “"You won't be disappointed... we LOVE them!”
James also stated on BBC Spotlight “We keep playing their music as often as we can on the show”
Tap here for their Interview on BBC Spotlight February 2015:


For Information on Wildwood Kin See Also:
https://www.facebook.com/wildwoodkin
https://twitter.com/wildwoodkin
Their debut EP has recently been released called ‘Salt of The Earth’ produced by Tim Bidwell
Available at :
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/salt-of-the-earth-ep/id956874821
https://soundcloud.com/wildwood-kin/salt-of-the-earth-wildwood-kin

TAP HERE for Clinton Arms Event Page: