BEAVERS GET THEIR OWN BLOG!

A pair of Devon beavers now have their own blog! The online messages are being released by a leading conservation charity, the Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT). The blog centres on the life and goings on of a pair of European beavers which are part of a controlled experiment being run by Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands project. The beavers live in a securely fenced 3 hectare compound in north-west Devon. The charity is monitoring their everyday lives plus the effects they are having on their compound, to its tree and scrub covering, to its ground water levels and to water quality. DWT is also keen to learn more about the impacts of beavers on wider wildlife. Beavers once lived throughout the UK including Devon and were an important part of the natural regulation of our river and stream systems. They are believed to have been hunted to extinction in the C16th. The blog is being written by volunteer Vicky Halse. Vicky has a background in studying animal behaviour and was particularly keen to learn more about the beavers, how they interact with each other and with their surroundings. Vicky said: 'Having visited the site a number of times I've been amazed by just how busy they've been. Although the beavers have only been living in their compound for little more than a year, in that time they've worked hard to enlarge their lodge (home), build small dams and construct watery pathways known as 'canals'. It looks like there will be plenty to talk about in the blog!' The project, which will measure the impact the animals have on local water quality and wildlife, has been funded by Viridor Credits Environmental Company and The Truell Charitable Foundation. To read the blog and to find out more about the beavers' progress visit the 'What we do' pages of www.devonwildlifetrust.org 

Watch video of Devon Wildlife Trust's beavers at work here:

 
 
Devon Wildlife Trust is 50 this year. Find out more about how you can get involved in our golden celebrations! http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/50-years-of-dwt/

Caught on Camera. Clovelly Lobster & Crab Feast 2012

Sea mist and soft gentle rain added to the charm of Clovelly Harbour for the annual Lobster and Crab Feast. A remarkably windless day for the North Devon Coast, the colourful pennants and bunting fluttered limply on the beached not bobbing boats beneath the harbour wall. Clovelly events are always fun and there was a never-ending stream of folk making their way down to the already crowded Quay where there were an assortment of  arts and craft products on sale including hand-made ceramics, decorative plaques, holistic products and jewellery along with the RSPB and the National Lobster Hatchery promotional stalls.  Local fayre made by local folk, traditional award winning beer brewed down the A39 at Abbotsham, Cornish sea salt, pancakes, scrumptious hand-made cakes and savoury tarts. The local fishermen had caught a bumper harvest of crustaceans and the Red Lion bar and restaurant were packed with diners tucking into lobster, crab and seafood platters washed down with a free glass of bubbly. The highlight of the day was the Cookery Competition for the best lobster or crab dish, which was filmed by STV Productions for a new BBC2 cookery programme "Country Show Cook Off". In addition to the local entrants, TV celebrity chefs, Jun Tanaka and Galt Blackiston, secretly entered their dishes and for the first time, after four other UK events, were delighted to be awarded first and second places by the judges. Folk music was provided by Maggie Duffy & Mike Weed, Steve Tyler & Andy Clarke and The O'Marleys whilst the kids were kept entertained by Scallywag the pirate, balloon modelling, face painting, magic and some bang on AONB craft activities. As the tide was out families could also explore the beach and the waterfall beyond the Lifeboat House. Catch of the day deep fried crab balls, lobster salads, mackerel and moules mariniere, the “Perham Line” stretched all the way down to the end of the Quay. (Article by Pat Adams)

Caught on Camera. BBC Filming the action in Clovelly

Cookery Competition Judges: Dom Boothroyd, of the National Lobster Hatchery, The Rev. Shirley Henderson, vicar of Clovelly All Saints Church, Felicity Sylvester, cookery demonstrator and director of Brilliant Fish and Clovelly's Harbour Master and fisherman, Stephen Perham.

The event was in aid of the National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow, who exhibited some of their baby lobsters prior to releasing them into Clovelly Bay at the end of the day. In addition to the Prize Draw income, Clovelly Estate will donate £400 towards their re-stocking project.

Don't worry if you missed it make a date in your diary for the Clovelly Herring Festival, 18th November 2012
What's on next at Clovelly

"In Search of England"

H.V. Morton's best selling book, "In Search of England", was published in 1926. In it the journalist and travel writer described Clovelly as"just too quaint" and amazingly little has changed in almost 100 years since. The broadcaster, John McCarthy, has been following H.V. Morton's travels and has recently recorded a programme at Clovelly, which includes interviews with celebrity actor, Joss Ackland CBE, The Hon. John Rous, owner of the estate, Stephen Perham, Harbour Master and Niall Taylor, member of the H.V. Morton Society and author of website http://www.hvmorton.co.uk/. The programme will be broadcast on Radio 4 at 11am on Friday, 21 September. Don't Miss it http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/programmes/schedules/fm

Joss Ackland CBE, Stephen Garner (Producer) and John McCarthy

The Hon. John Rous, Stephen Garner (Producer) and John McCarthy

All photos courtesy Clovelly Estates.  

To find out the latest news and events visit http://www.clovelly.co.uk

John McCarthy is a regular presenter on BBC Radio 4 programmes "Saturday Live" and "Excess Baggage"