Four-legged employee is welcomed by charity

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) is celebrating the birth of a new staff member - one with four legs. Early on the morning of Monday 6 May one of DWT's herd of six pedigree Exmoor ponies gave birth to a colt (male) foal at the charity's Meeth Quarry nature reserve, near Hatherleigh. Meeth Quarry's Nature Reserve Officer is Ian Chadwick. Ian had been nervously anticipating the birth for several weeks and said: "I've been on 'foal watch' for awhile now, but of course the baby arrived very early on Bank Holiday Monday when no one was around. Nevertheless, mother and foal are doing very well, although the youngster was a bit wobbly to start with." Ian continued: "Our next job is to name the foal. With the mother being called 'Liquorice' we plan to carry on with a tradition of sweet names. The frontrunners at the moment are 'Fudge', 'Toffee' and 'Rock'." The arrival is especially welcome because it strengthens a vital team of workers within Devon Wildlife Trust. Speaking about their important role, the charity's Steve Hussey said: "The herd of Exmoor ponies are our unpaid workforce at Meeth Quarry. They work 24 hours a day, seven days a week munching the rank grasses and scrubby shrubs which would otherwise quickly overwhelm the nature reserve's open areas." Meeth Quarry is Devon Wildlife Trust's most recent acquisition. It was purchased in December 2012 using funds from Viridor Credits Environmental Company and generous local donors. At 150 hectares it is one of the largest of the charity's 48 reserves. Its Exmoor ponies are playing a crucial role in its upkeep. Using funding from Natural England, Devon Wildlife Trust has been busy since January improving the nature reserve for visitors and wildlife. Amongst many changes it has installed a number of trails for walkers, wheelchair users and cyclists. These paths link to the Tarka Trail which passes through the centre of the site which was a working clay quarry until 2004. At present Meeth nature reserve is not yet open to visitors but Devon Wildlife Trust is planning an opening event at Meeth Quarry nature reserve on Friday 31 May between 10.30am and 4.30pm. The free event will be a chance for people to visit the site for the first time and may be to catch a glimpse of charity's latest 'staff member' - the Exmoor foal. 

"Mother 'Liquorice' keeps a maternal eye over Devon Wildlife Trust's latest team member." - Photo copyright Devon Wildlife

FEATURECAST – GHETTO FUNK DJ AND PRODUCER PLAYS THE PETROC FACTORY

Described as 'Nufunk's very own Mr Midas', Featurecast has proved himself a leader in his field. From DJing to Producing, he's had an incredible few years, churning out some of the biggest party tracks and bootlegs on labels like Good Groove, Bomb Strikes, Jalapeno, Catskills & Funk Weapons. Receiving praise from a host of major players such as Krafty Kuts, Norman Jay, DJ Yoda, Z-Trip, & A.Skillz describing him as ‘One to Watch’, Featurecast has crafted his own unique sound combining amazing pinpoint scratching whilst effortlessly cutting between Funk, Hip-Hop, Breaks, Dubstep and Drum & Bass. He's dazzled the crowds of some of the biggest festivals and venues around the globe from Canada’s Shambhala, Germany’s Fusion, Serbia’s 3p Festival as well as touring the USA, Australia and playing all over Europe. With an Artist Album in the works and lashings of party bangers on their way, it's time to make some noise for Featurecast! Warm up and support comes from local up and coming Ghetto Funk DJ Richy J. Richy J has previously supported Featurecast so knows just how to set the perfect party vibe . Richy J was involved in choosing other local supports from a huge selection of local DJs after they submitted their demo mixes. The lucky bunch to grab a support slot are – Bear La Soul, Funky George and Wamjam.

FEATURECAST – GHETTO FUNK DJ AND PRODUCER PLAYS THE FACTORY 

SATURDAY 25TH MAY

Doors open at 8pm – 1am £6 entry in advance [more on the door] Advance tickets: Beats Workin Barnstaple, North Devon Theatres & Petroc Brannams Campus. Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net/event/408

Local children get to the roots of clean water in North Devon

Children from Bradworthy Primary Academy were armed with spades and forks last week in the name of conservation! The class of ten and eleven year olds visited a local farm to help finish planting a new woodland. Over 1,100 trees have been planted at the farm on steep land next to a watercourse, using funding from the Woodland Trust and the Environment Agency. The trees are a mixture of native species characteristic of the area, including oak, birch and rowan, which will develop in to a valuable home for local wildlife. Devon Wildlife Trust's Laurie Jackson said: "The location of the planting next to the watercourse is crucial as it will help to buffer against run-off from the land, which would otherwise enter the River Torridge". She added: "The planting links to existing woodland and will provide more of this important habitat, as well as preventing livestock from accessing the watercourse where they could get stuck." The tree planting was organised by the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA) team. The NIA is a North Devon Biosphere Reserve Partnership project led by Devon Wildlife Trust. The project works across the catchment of the River Torridge to deliver long-term benefits for the environment and local people, by restoring a landscape able to provide essential services such as clean water. Working with local land owners to manage our natural resources is vital to the success of the NIA project. By adapting land management to minimise the amount of nutrients, sediment and pollutants that are reaching our watercourses, the costs of treating our water can be reduced. The project team also want to get local communities involved with their work. This includes parish groups and schools, as well as teaming up with local volunteers. The children from Bradworthy Primary Academy not only worked hard as tree planters for the day, but also had a chance to learn about farming, visit habitats rich in wildlife and walk along a stretch of the River Torridge itself. "Making our way through the soggy culm grassland to get to the river proved one of the most entertaining parts of the day!" said Devon Wildlife Trust Community Outreach Officer, Tamasine Addie. Richard Stephenson, Head Teacher at Bradworthy Primary Academy summed up the activity nicely: "We had a lovely day!" You can learn more about the landowner advice service and community work carried out by the NIA by contacting the team on 01409 221823.