Charity clears way ahead for wildflowers

A leading wildlife charity is launching a winter programme of work designed to restore one of the county's best and most unusual sites for wildflowers. Increasing the range and numbers of wildflowers will form the focus of newly-funded work at Devon Wildlife Trust's Sourton Quarry nature reserve which lies in west Devon between Tavistock and Okehampton. As the name suggests, Sourton Quarry was once a thriving limestone quarry. But since its abandonment in 1906 it has been transformed into a wildlife haven and its spoil heaps in particular have become a wonderful new home to plants that thrive in its limestone soils. The long list of plant colonists has come to include rarities and more common examples including the rusty-backed fern, black knapweed, wild strawberry, great mullein and fairy flax. However, in recent years these wonderful wildflowers have come under threat. Other plants, including ivy, bramble and cotoneaster, as well as trees, have all started to take a hold on the nature reserve, shading out its delicate flowers. In response DWT formulated a plan of action designed to reverse this process. But before putting it into place funding was needed. It was at this point that Biffa Award stepped in to make the crucial difference agreeing to fund a winter's programme of practical work. Devon Wildlife Trust's Steve Hussey reacted to the good news: 'The generous funding from Biffa Award is just what was needed. It will pay for vital work clearing invasive plant scrub and providing the space and conditions for wildflowers to flourish. It will set the nature reserve and its wildflowers firmly on the right path.' The Sourton Quarry Wildflower Discovery Project forms part of a wider multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which utilises landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services. For more information about Sourton nature reserve and the work of Devon Wildlife Trust visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org 

Beautiful black knapweed is just one of the many wildflowers which will benefit from improvements at Devon Wildlife Trust's Sourton nature reserve. Photo copyright Sherie New - (www.seeing.org)

Heritage and Herrings. Ahoy there Clovelly!

We had a great time at the Clovelly Herring Festival on Sunday 18th. I hope we captured the spirit of the day in these photographs. Check out some of the slideshow below:

Charity offers peaceful alternative to Christmas shopping

Devon Wildlife Trust is staging a festive family event at its historic Cricklepit Mill, in the heart of Exeter. Christmas at Cricklepit takes place between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Saturday 1st December and is free. The day promises families a change of scene and pace from the hurly-burly of Christmas shopping. Visitors will be treated to seasonal storytelling, children's Christmas craft making, a chance to make winter bird food treats, and even the opportunity of meeting Father Christmas himself! Mince pies and hot drinks will be available, while visitors can also buy from the charity's wonderful range of Christmas cards, calendars and other wildlife-related gifts. Devon Wildlife Trust's Jo Pullin, who is organising the day, said: 'This is always a popular and inexpensive event for local families. It's a chance to have some fun, to explore our historic mill building and make a difference to wildlife. At a time when shopping and spending money seem to dominate, Christmas at Cricklepit shows people that there is a different side to the festive season, and certainly a more tranquil one!' Devon Wildlife Trust's Cricklepit Mill can be found in Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4AB and two minutes walk from Exeter's historic quayside. There is no parking at the Mill, but on street parking and car parks can be found close by. For more information about this event and the work of Devon Wildlife Trust visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org. 

Cricklepit Mill's visitor area and gardens are open to the public 9am-5pm weekdays, throughout the year (except Bank Holidays). Entrance is free. Children coming to this event must be accompanied by an adult at all times.