Spring Breaks at Hartland Abbey

At Last, the sky above is blue! Spring breaks, the mists have cleared, the sun is out  just in time for Daffodil Day at Hartland Abbey. We arrived about 11.15am, no parked cars at the front as yet, blue sky and perfect light on the house so a great photo opportunity. Spotted a robin, a wren and two rather shabby painted ladies (the butterfly variety) as we made our way down the lush meadow. It’s so much warmer in this sheltered valley and the wildflowers are coming out sooner here than Peppercombe, my local patch just up the coast, the first Primroses, Bluebells, Dog Violet and even a Ransom and Greater Stitchwart are already in flower. Mission accomplished we pick up a Bacon Bap from the Exmoor Kitchens stall then have our picnic in the sun by the Summer House. On cold days you can sit inside and read all about the restoration of the Summer House and the Gazaebo by the log fire. A note on the table asks that visitors please “keep the fires going”. From here I noticed a new “High Road” a trail which runs all the way to the Gazaebo. Photographers and happy snappers will love this route when the woodland glades are covered in Bluebells in the next few weeks. Today we took the “Low Road” to Blackpool and felt a slight chill from the incoming tide after quite a balmy walk down, the sea, the deepest blue against the ochre hues of the cliffs. Dry under foot today as we ambled back up the meadow by the river. One of my favourite early Spring wild flowers is the Lesser Celandine. The star-shaped yellow flower twinkles in the sun lighting up coastal meadows, path and road-side verges. We took time for tea and Lemon Curd Cake back at the Abbey kitchens before taking some final shots as the daffodils turned their heads to the late afternoon sun. Their happy smiling faces reflected the convivial atmosphere created by Lord and Lady Stucely and their team making Mothering Sunday a real family occasion. Article Pat Adams 18/3/2012

Missed it then make a date for Hartland Abbey Bluebell Week - Sunday 22 to Sunday 29 April 2012 from 11am to 5pm For further information please ring 01237 441234 or visit www.hartlandabbey.com
Explore Hartland with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

James Morrison releases his new single ‘One Life’ on March 26

James Morrison releases his new single ‘One Life’ on March 26. The song, a charming and heartfelt meditation on his life, was written just prior to his father’s tragic death. The track is the third to be taken from his platinum selling album ‘The Awakening’. James was nominated for Best British Male at the 2012 BRIT awards, an accolade he has been nominated for twice before, and won in 2007. James said: . ‘The Awakening’ is such an intensely personal album to me, I’m just pleased people are sharing that and enjoying it so much, and the fans are giving me such incredible feedback and support.”  The Awakening was number one for two weeks when it was released last year. It also contains the singles ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ and the stunning duet with Jessie J ‘Up’ – which have sold over 300k copies.

Acclaim for The Awakening: 

“A TERRIFIC THIRD ALBUM, BURSTING WITH EXPERTLY CRAFTED SONGS” – The Times 

“HIS SULTRY VOICE MAKES GROWN WOMEN WEAK AT THE KNEES” – Heat 

“A DELICIOUSLY SOULFUL COLLECTION OF SONGS” - Daily Express 

“POSITIVELY JOYFUL” – Mojo

James is currently on a world tour and had a run of sold out UK dates in February before moving onto a sold out European tour in March. He will then play shows in South East Asia, Japan and Australia in Spring, moving onto the USA in early Summer. myspace/jamesmorrisonmusic

Working Wetlands project provides advice pack for local landowners

Working Wetlands project provides advice pack for local landowners The Working Wetlands project led by Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has this month produced a Practical Advice Pack to help support farmers in northern Devon who manage wildlife rich habitats. The pack has been designed so it is easy to keep and refer to and use out in the field. It will also be available to download from the charity's website. The pack contains 10 advice sheets which cover a range of topics from how to manage scrub and soft rush, to wet grassland restoration and swaling. Each advice sheet is illustrated and draws on the experience of the local farming community combined with the knowledge and skills of DWT's Working Wetlands project team. Mark Elliott, Working Wetlands Project Manager said: "We hope this pack will prove a very useful source of practical advice for farmers wishing to manage their grassland habitats, and protect their watercourses. Although we are currently working with over 300 individual farmers, we recognise that we can't reach everyone - and we hope this series of factsheets will help answer some of the more common queries. That said, we are still at the end of the phone and have a team of farm and wildlife advisors able to provide face to face advice.' Anyone interested in receiving a pack should call Working Wetlands on 01409 221823 or email working.wetlands@devonwildlifetrust.org Working Wetlands has been supported by the South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, GrantScape and Natural England.

Working Wetlands Practical Advice Pack