Ode of Remembrance: We will remember them

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

The Nation will honour the fallen on Remembrance Sunday when wreaths of poppies are laid on local war memorials and a two minutes silence is held at 11 a.m. The "Ode of Remembrance" is an ode taken from Laurence Binyon's poem "For the Fallen", which was first published in The Times in September 1914. Wikipedia Stub: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_of_Remembrance

 For Remembrance Sunday Events around the region visit the North Devon Gazette
In the United Kingdom, Remembrance Sunday is marked by ceremonies at local war memorials in most cities, towns and villages, attended by civic dignitaries, ex-servicemen and -women (principally members of the Royal British Legion), members of local armed forces regular and reserve units (Royal Navy and Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines and Royal Marines Reserve, Army and Territorial Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Auxiliary Air Force), military cadet forces (Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps as well as the Combined Cadet Force) and youth organisations (e.g. Scouts and Guides). Wreaths of remembrance poppies are laid on the memorials and two minutes silence is held at 11 a.m. Church bells are usually rung "half-muffled", creating a sombre effect.
Wikipedia Stub: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Sunday

Charity Christmas gifts aim to melt hearts

Following the success of its Christmas cards and gifts range in 2011, a local wildlife charity is preparing for a bumper festive season with a new range of designs. Devon Wildlife Trust has been selling Christmas cards and gifts for a number of years and in 2011 the scheme raised more than £6,000 for its vital work for wildlife across the county. This year it has added a number of new lines, each of which will melt even the coldest heart this Christmas. Red squirrels, foxes, deer and woodpeckers are amongst the stunning images featured on The Trust's Christmas cards. A 2013 calendar packed with beautiful British animals is also available. Orders can be made on-line, by phone or by post. Devon Wildlife Trust is also urging people to think of treating the wildlife-lovers in their life with a very special Christmas gift. Adopting a species makes an unusual present. Choices include bee, hedgehog, bat, otter, dormouse and dolphin - with the recipient receiving a cute soft toy, activity book, fact sheet and much more. Also available is Devon Wildlife Trust gift membership. As well as providing the opportunity for countless free days out in some of Devon's most stunning landscapes, family gift membership also includes a free illustrated book, The Seashore Detective's Handbook - the perfect accessory for rockpooling adventures in 2013. Phoebe Grubb, DWT's Fundraising Officer said: 'With Christmas now looming and the weather turning cold we have started to promote our latest range of cards and gifts. Our cards are printed on sustainably sourced card and really show off some of Devon's best-loved animals. The gifts make lovely presents and are a great way to help wildlife on your doorstep while also sending your Christmas wishes to loved ones." All the profits from the sales of Devon Wildlife Trust's cards and gifts go directly to support its work for the county's wildlife. 

 Just a selection of Devon Wildlife Trust Christmas cards for 2012.  

People who wish to purchase cards should visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244. The cards are also available through the Cards for Good Causes outlets across the county and from The Trust's Cricklepit Mill headquarters in Exeter. 

Robbie Williams "Take the Crown" out today

As Robbie Williams looks to the future with the release of the incredible “Take The Crown” , his ninth studio album and his first for Island/Universal, it might also be interesting to remember his considerable achievements so far. In a career strewn with awards, Robbie has quite simply sold more records than any other British solo artist in history. Having sold a staggering 60 million albums over his solo career, Robbie has also won more Brit awards than any other artist in history ( a grand total of 17, to be precise). Six of his albums appear in the all time top 100 biggest selling albums in the UK whilst Williams appears in the Guinness Book of World Records for selling 1.6 million concert tickets in a day in 2006. In 2010 Robbie Williams won the Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award at the BRITS; later that year his reformation with Take That led to their album becoming the fastest selling album of the century. Since then Robbie has been working on his brand new solo album, recorded in Los Angeles with producer Jacknife Lee. The orchestra on the album was recorded at the fabled Capitol Studios in LA. The track-listing for “Take The Crown” is:

• BE A BOY
• GOSPEL
• CANDY
• DIFFERENT
• SHIT ON THE RADIO
• ALL THAT I WANT
• HUNTING FOR YOU
• INTO THE SILENCE
• HEY WOW YEAH YEAH
• NOT LIKE THE OTHERS
• LOSERS (featuring Lissie)

The album was preceded by the single “Candy” which was released on October 29. Of this brilliantly addictive classic Robbie Williams pop song, written with Gary Barlow, Robbie says: “It’s a summer song, about a girl who thinks she’s great. And she might be, but she’s a bit nefarious with her ways. Some songs take an age to write and some songs just fall out of your mouth completely formed, and you don’t have to think about it. I don’t know why that fell out of my mouth and out of my brain at that particular time – it just did”. http://www.robbiewilliams.com/home