Charity asks local wildlife lovers to get on their bike for nature

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has this month launched its latest fundraising challenge to help raise money for its work protecting wildlife in the county. The Heart of Dartmoor cycle challenge is a new route, similar to one being developed by cycling organisation Sustrans. The 50 mile circular route starts in Ivybridge and will follow minor roads and trackways around the southern heart of Dartmoor taking in stunning views along the way. The challenge is open to anyone over 16 with a reasonable level of fitness who is able to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50. The money raised will go to Devon Wildlife Trust which is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary. Devon Wildlife Trust's Dan Smith said: "After the success of last year's Coast to Coast ride we are hoping local people will want to take up this year's cycle challenge. As we are celebrating our 50th we have set the minimum sponsorship at £50 but we are hoping people will be able to raise more. The route is suitable for both road and mountain bikes so all Devon's keen cyclists have chance to take part." Graham Wilson one of the volunteers who is helping to run the event said: "I believe the most valuable assets for our lifestyles are to have a healthy environment with access to wild places. When I go out on my bike, I enjoy these wild places and frequently see wildlife so a cycle challenge to Dartmoor is a wonderful reason to have fun and experience wildlife all at the same time. " The event is being held on Sat 12 May and people wishing to cycle should register by contacting DWT on 01392 279244 or by visiting www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Princetown track on route of DWT cycle challenge

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 

‘MARLEY’ TO BE RELEASED BY ISLAND RECORDS ON APRIL 16th 2012

The Third World’s first superstar and arguably the most recognizable human being on the planet, reggae giant BOB MARLEY is celebrated this year in a film by award-winning director Kevin MacDonald (‘One Day In September’, ‘State Of Play’, ‘The Last King Of Scotland’, ‘Touching The Void’ and ‘Life In A Day’). ‘MARLEY’, which received a rapturous reception at its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival on Feb 12th, will be released in the UK on 20th April ’12 through Universal Pictures and features stunning live performances, intimate interviews with friends and family, and rare documentary footage, which tells the definitive story of the superstar who rose from the ghetto to become one of the greats of popular music before dying tragically young at the height of his fame. BOB MARLEY was born February 6, 1945 in rural St. Ann’s Parish, Jamaica, leaving home at 14 to pursue a music career in Kingston. A naturally gifted musician and singer he recorded his first track in 1962. In ’72 finding himself stranded in London with his band the Wailers he signed to Chris Blackwell’s Island Records and went on to enjoy global success and to put reggae on the music map. Many of his songs – which highlighted both Jamaica’s poverty and the spirituality of its people – have since become universal anthems. MARLEY died of cancer on May 11, 1981, aged 36.Says Kevin MacDonald: " MARLEY the film is an intimate, human portrait of the legendary singer . But as with any film about an artist - the main purpose has got to be to send the listener back to the music with a renewed appreciation for its beauty and significance. That's why I am so happy that Island are releasing this special collection of songs from and inspired by the movie." Says Chris Blackwell: “Kevin MacDonald has made a wonderful film about Marley. I think it will touch the hearts of many. It tells Bob’s story properly for the first time and you get a real sense of the man and his incredible talent. His spiritual message is as relevant now as it ever was and his music still resonates around the world.” The soundtrack to ‘MARLEY’ will be released on Island Records on 16th April ’12. It will be released in two formats: 2CD and a 3LP. It includes, for the first time on record, the 1978 One Love Peace concert performance of ‘Jammin’ during which Marley joined the hands of bitter political rivals Michael Manley and Edward Seaga, a gesture which went some way towards restoring peace to a strife-torn Jamaica. The tracklisting of the soundtrack, which follows the chronology of the film, is as follows:

• 1) Corner Stone
• 2) Judge Not
• 3) Simmer Down
• 4) Put It On
• 5) Small Axe
• 6) Mellow Mood
• 7) Stir It Up
• 8) Concrete Jungle
• 9) Crazy Bald Heads (Groucho mix)
• 10) Natty Dread
• 11) Trenchtown Rock (live at The Roxy Theatre)
• 12) Get Up Stand Up
• 13) Work
• 14) Jammin (live at One Love Peace Concert)
• 15) Exodus (Kindred Spirit Dub Mix)
• 16) No Woman No Cry (Live at the Lyceum)
• 17) War (Live at the Rainbow)
• 18) I Shot the Sheriff (Live at the Lyceum)
• 19) Roots Rock Reggae
• 20) Three Little Birds
• 21) Real Situation
• 22) Could you Be Loved
• 23) One Love / People Get Ready
• 24) Redemption Song
• 25) High Tide Or Low Tide

Marley – The Original Soundtrack Release date: 16th April Formats: Double CD - 00602527985985 - Triple Vinyl - 00602527985992
FILM TRAILER: 

‘MARLEY’ – WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“Kevin MacDonald’s detailed portrait of Bob Marley grapples with the last king of reggae’s philosophical and religious convictions. 4*” The Guardian 13.2.12
“A documentary with scope and soul, this cradle-to-grave portrait of Bob Marley…is bottling what made Asif Kapadia’s ‘Senna’ such a success. 4*” Daily Telegraph 14.2.12
“One of the main treats in Berlin was Kevin MacDonald’s massive feature documentary ‘Marley’…What makes it inspiring is the music, the exhaustive research and the personality of Marley.” The Independent 17.2.12
“…the most enjoyable film so far is ‘Marley’, in which the life and career of the reggae icon is explored through archive footage and enlightening interviews with some of Marley’s most idiosyncratic collaborators…” Time Out 16.2.12