A SPONSORED WALK WITH A DIFFERENCE: FIRE WALK CHALLENGE AT THE BIG SHEEP

Have you considered walking on a bed of hot coals? Well you can do it, you won't even need a stout pair of walking boots to take part in this alternative sponsored walk which are being held at the BIG Sheep on Sunday 16th December 2012. The chosen charity for this year's firewalk is Age Concern, however you are welcome to chose a chairty of your own. Fortunately, you do not need any experience to take part in this extraordinary event so if you would like to get involved you can contact Cathy Edwards on 01271 371343 or email cathy@jcfundraising.com for a sponsorship pack. If you'd just like to offer your support we are offering FREE admission to watch the participants complete their challenge.

Devon Doctors to help wildlife

The organisation responsible for the county's urgent GP out-of-hours healthcare has teamed up with Devon Wildlife Trust [DWT] in a bid to do its bit for the county's environment. As a social enterprise, committed to benefiting the community in which it operates, Devon Doctors has always attached great importance to environmental issues and jumped at the opportunity to become a corporate sponsor of Devon Wildlife Trust. Chief executive Chris Wright said: "While our first priority is always the wellbeing of our patients, we're mindful that we also have a responsibility to the environment and are at pains to ensure our carbon footprint is as small as possible." "Wherever we can we endeavour to assist callers to Devon Doctors over the phone but there will, inevitably, be occasions when we need to visit patients who are especially vulnerable, and unable to get to one of our treatment centres, in their homes. Indeed, last year our GPs visited more than 30,000 patients, as a result of which our drivers clocked up more than half-a-million miles." "While this is unavoidable, we're delighted to be able to redress the balance a little by lending our support to DWT." DWT's chief executive Harry Barton said: "We're thrilled to have the support of another not-for-profit organisation, which shares our aim of keeping Devon healthy. We look forward to working together for the benefit of the natural environment." In due course, Devon Doctors is looking forward to supporting DWT's Working Wetlands project and, in so doing, offsetting some part of its carbon footprint. The initiative involves the restoration of wetland areas, with the capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon in a similar way to coal but much more quickly, and is regarded as a local, long-term and effective alternative to standard offset schemes. What is more, Devon Doctors will be encouraging its staff to transform their gardens, and other locations, into bee-friendly zones in support of DWT's 2013 campaign to Get Devon Buzzing. This vital project encourages the use of plants that support the local bee population by providing bee homes, as well as campaigning for a reduction in the use of pesticides. "Devon Doctors is already acknowledged as one of the country's leading providers of urgent out-of hours care," said Mr Wright. "However, as a social enterprise, our corporate responsibility doesn't stop there and we look forward to working in partnership with DWT and to encouraging both staff and service users to protect the environment."

Devon Wildlife Trust's Tracey Ebbrell presents Devon Doctors Chief Executive, Chris Wright, with a certificate in recognition of their support. 

It's 'Ho-ho-ho-wholemeal' at Cricklepit Mill

A festive treat awaits visitors to one of Exeter's least known but most charismatic historic treasures. Devon Wildlife Trust is staging a Christmas-themed open day at its Cricklepit Mill headquarters, close to Exeter's ancient quayside. The 'Milling and Mince Pie' event takes place on Friday 14 December between 10am and 12noon. It is free, but booking is advised. On the day Christmas decorations will adorn the C18th watermill. Visitors will have a chance to see behind the scenes, watching the mill at work, grinding flour in the traditional way. A band of merry millers will be on hand to guide people through the fascinating processes and history of milling. At the end of their visit people will be able to re-fuel on mince pies made from the mill's own stoneground flour and locally-produced mincemeat. On sale will be a selection of the charity's Christmas cards, calendars, along with bags of wholemeal stoneground flour complete with free festive recipe leaflets. The Trust's Verity Hunt added: 'Cricklepit Mill is a wonderful old building, but at Christmas it becomes a magical one. Its ancient atmosphere combines with festive decorations to give a real sense of Christmas past.' 'The flour we produce here makes a wonderful and unusual Christmas gift. Cricklepit Mill is the only remaining working watermill in Exeter and our open days make a great way to explore this important part of the city's heritage. Taking home a bag of flour at the end of their visit gives people a fitting memento.' All proceeds from the sale of flour and Christmas gifts go to support The Trust's important work for wildlife across the county. Bookings for 'Milling and mince pies' are being taken now. Call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244 or email contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org

'Devon Wildlife Trust's Cricklepit Mill is a magical place at
Christmas'