PAUL WELLER new album Sonik Kicks out 26th March

Enjoying a constant critical high and a never ending creative peak, Paul Weller continues to push the boundaries with his new album SONIK KICKS, due for release on March 26th 2012. This is the follow up to the Mercury Music Award nominated WAKE UP THE NATION and Paul’s eleventh solo album. Once again, it's his best yet. If you’d like a taste of what’s to come, head to www.paulweller.com now where you can check out the album track ‘Around The Lake’. The track is set to an excellent sequence from a short film called '24hrs, Pavey Ark' directed by Mike Moloney & John Hooper which Paul is massively in to. SONIK KICKS features appearances from the likes of Noel Gallagher and Graham Coxon. The 14 tracks you can look forward to are: Green / The Attic / Kling I Klang / Sleep of the Serene / By the Waters / That Dangerous Age/ Study in Blue / Dragonfly / When Your Garden’s Overgrown / Around The Lake / Twilight / Drifters / Paperchase / Be Happy Children. With SONIK KICKS Paul Weller once again shakes up his palate and stirs his influences anew. He mixes pop art punch with soulful communication; jazzy explorations into psychedelia and dub with razor-sharp melodies and abstract soundscapes with clear-eyed forest-folk.
PAUL WELLER New Album SONIK KICKS out March 26th 2012 myspace/paulweller 
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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