North Devon Theatres Collaborate with the Biosphere for B10 Celebrations

As champions of North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve North Devon Theatres are helping to mark the 10th anniversary of the Reserve’s designation. The work of North Devon Theatres Trust reaches wider than theatre productions alone and the Theatres are joining the B10 celebrations with art, music and beer! Alan Dodd, programme director at the Theatres says “North Devon Theatres has had a close relationship with the Biosphere Reserve right from its inception by co-ordinating a huge array of cultural events throughout the region during June each year, which formed part of the North Devon Festival. Sadly this Festival no longer occurs, but we are very pleased to be part of the B10 10thAnniversary Celebrations along with many other partner organisations.”

1. Art Trek - North Devon’s open studio event, Art Trek is promoted by the Theatres and this year the event shares its 10th birthday with the Biosphere. Biosphere Coordinator Andy Bell says “"The World Biosphere Reserve in north Devon is home to many talented artists who are inspired by the area's character, produce and culture. Art Trek is a great way to explore the work of a large number of these people and reflect on what inspires them." This is an excellent opportunity to get out and about in the Biosphere to make the most of our fabulous creative and natural resources by making your way around Art Trek by foot, bike or bus. Art Trek runs for three weekends between Saturday 6 July and Sunday 21 July 2013 and sees local artists throwing open the doors to their homes and studios and inviting people in to see their work in progress. The studios include galleries, village halls, cafés and homes within the beautiful North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. So get on your bike, lace up your boots or check out the local bus time tables and make this year's Art Trek a 'greener' one forB10, the tenth anniversary of North Devon's Biosphere Reserve! Art Trek locations and details are listed on the North Devon Theatres website and you can visit the North Devon Coast AONB's website Explore The Coast to match up a walking trail with Art Trek venues or if you prefer to take the bus you find links to local bus services on the North Devon Council website.
2. North Devon Theatres Classical Music Season. North Devon Theatres have themed their 2013/14 classical music season In Tune with Nature to celebrate B10, the tenth anniversary of the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Classical Music Consultant and Series Curator, Ambrose Miller says “2013 celebrates the 10th anniversary of North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve designation and with the B10 celebration in mind, we chose as the theme for our series, ‘In Tune with Nature’. Each performance will either include pieces of music which have, over the years, been associated with the countryside or show how nature directly inspired composers.” The series of concerts starts in September 2013 with one of the country’s leading orchestras, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maxine Tortelier. They will perform Mendelssohn, Bruch and Beethoven.
3. The B10 Beer. So if you are trekking around Art Trek or making a visit to the Theatre B10 beer will quench your thirst! The North Devon Biosphere launched its limited edition B10 beer on Friday 3 May 2013 at The Landmark Beer Festival in Ilfracombe. Actors Liza Goddard and Gary Mavers who were starring in Agatha Christie's Go Back for Murder at The Queen's Theatre in Barnstaple toasted the Biosphere and the B10 celebrations with the tasty real ale. B10 beer has been brewed by Simon Lacey of Country Life Brewery in Abbotsham near Bideford. Simon uses natural ingredients and traditional brewing methods and is a perfect example of a Biosphere Business supporter. Here's what the Landmark beer festival goers said:
Charmain Lovett "The B10 is my favourite."
Oliver Tooley "I have a pint of it in front of me now. Delightful dark honey colour, well balanced between sweetness and hops. Fruity finish."
Keep an eye out for B10 beer on sale at North Devon Theatres, local festivals and pubs in North Devon and take a look at the B10 beer mats too as they have details of how to enter our fabulous prize draw!



B10 beer at Landmark beer festival - photo copyright North Devon Biosphere

B10 Event: The Happiness Calculator - A Talk on How Low Carbon Living is Good for Us and the Planet with Mukti Mitchell,

North Devon’s ‘Climate Guru’, is best known for sailing around Britain to promote happiness-inspired low carbon living. To show his support for North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Mukti joins the B10 event programme with this inspirational talk at The Plough Arts Centre on Thursday 16 May 2013. Mitchell has won several awards for the creation of his carbon footprint calculator, eco-yacht design and unique secondary glazing system. In this interactive presentation, Mukti demonstrates his quality of life calculator, describes the thrills and perils of sailing around Britain in a 15ft yacht, and gives tips on energy conservation for period homes. Mukti who is director of the CosyHome Company, providing insulation for period homes says "Running a sustainable business in Bideford it is fantastic to work with the Biosphere Reserve and to be part of their programme bringing together the interests of individuals, business and the environment for mutual long term benefit"

B10 Event – Mukti Mitchell – The Happiness Calculator Thursday 16 May 2013 8.15 pm The Gallery, The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington, North Devon FREE

B10 Prize Draw - Trip to Lundy and other fab prizes!

The message of North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is ‘Living and Working in Harmony with Nature’. This message encompasses our daily lives, learning, earning and enjoying our unique natural environment. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Biosphere designation we are running a fabulous free prize draw with prizes highlighting all these aspects of life in the Biosphere. There is a bountiful prize pot full of fabulous prizes donated by Biosphere businesses and individual supporters. For getting out and about in the Biosphere and spotting some of our wonderful wildlife we have a trip to Lundy on the MS Oldenburg, a Wildlife Cruise on the Ilfracombe Princess and even a thrilling Coasteering experience with the Ultimate Adventure Centre in Abbotsham. For arts lovers we have a Quay Drawing outdoor art class, Panto tickets to Sleeping Beauty at The Queen’s Theatre, a family ticket to a Beaford Arts event. Local artisan leather belt maker Louise Middleton of Golden Bear Belts has contributed a bespoke leather belt – as seen in a recent Miss Vogue magazine. And there’s more … here’s the full list of prizes

1. Canvas print by photographer Stephen Ring who produces beautiful photos of landscapes within the Biosphere
2. En plein air (outdoor) drawing class with Quay Drawing
3. Wildlife cruise on Ilfracombe Princess
4. Coasteering with Ultimate Adventure Centre
5. Marshford Organic Veg Box
6. North Devon Theatres family ticket
7. Beaford Arts Event family ticket
8. Biosphere Foundation T Shirts
9. Home Energy Survey by 361 Energy
10. Lundy Island tickets X 2
11. Meeth Quarry Guided Tour
12. Wildlife walk around West Week Farm, Chulmleigh – County Wildlife Site
13. Louise Middleton Golden Bear Belt
14. NDT Friends Classical CDs
15. U3A cook book
16. Tarka Pottery – Potter’s Wheel Experience 

It is free to enter the draw and there are plenty of ways to enter: 
1. Online at www.northdevonb10.org.uk
2. By completing an entry form at one of our B10 events – details on the website and in local what’s on guides
3. By post to B10 Prize Draw, North Devon's Biosphere Reserve, Room 508, Civic Centre, Barnstaple, EX31 1EA 4. by email to amanda.mccormack@devon.gov.uk.