Catcing the Essence of Clovelly

Fishwives, fishy treats, fun and more than a splash of local colour down at Clovelly Harbour on a fair day in November. This is the month for the annual Clovelly Herring Festival, a time to celebrate the history and heritage of the humble herring, a time for visitors to meet the villagers who make and are the mainstay of this historic village. Local crafts and produce was the order of the day and an opportunity for folk to try those healthy herrings. We really enjoyed the oaty-coated herrings, freshly caught on the Perham line and pan-fried  in front of us. There were also platters of lobster and crab, tarts and quiche, smoked fish, fresh herrings, smoked herrings, marinated herring, locally sourced fish spiced with a myriad of flavours from around the world, homemade fudge, fresh baked bread and locally brewed beer. The Fishwives, a comical sight, with their rotund behinds and huge feet waddled amongst the crowds, along the Quay, their huge skirts swaying in time to the music. In addition to the Quay kitchens and cookery demonstrations, this is a time when villagers turn their hand to fundraising for local causes. The ladies from the Clovelly Community Garden Group had a stall up on the Kiln and Cream Teas were also served in the Lifeboathouse in aid of the RNLI. A couple of Clovelly yummy mummies had a homemade cake stall on the Quay, delicious sponges, fruit cakes and cupcakes raising funds for the  local “Small School”. The cupcakes decorated in sea blue fishy style with the help of little.Frida. The RSPB also had “A Stall for Nature” and the North Devon National Trust provided crafty activities for the kids up on the Kiln. Exhibitions and demonstrations of old seafaring skills and the History of Herrings and Flax Making came from Mike Smylie’s Kipperland and Simon and Ann from Flaxland. As the tide crept slowly into the harbour a Coracle, was launched by Simon who paddled quietly between a fishing boat used today and a Picarooner, one of the old traditional herring boats. I ventured along the top of the Harbour wall to capture a different perspective and noticed the Herring Gulls mobbing the lone fishing boat, a turbulent scene on a ultra calm sea. Herrings and heritage are the essence of Clovelly  I hope I have captured that in my video clip and the photos from the day. Shanty Singers “Shake a leg” can be heard in the background  - “Ten thousand miles away. Blow the wind high-ho”

Meanwhile on the other side the hub-bub on the busy Quay

• Clovelly Village 
• North Devon Coast and Country Chronicle Photos of the Day 

SHANTY SINGERS

• Exmouth Shantymen
• Bideford's Shake a Leg
• Flash Jack

EXHIBITION & DEMONSTRATIONS

• Kipperland 
• Flaxland 

Clovelly Herring Festival 17th November 2013 - Article, video/photos copyright Pat Adams

Festive offers, music and mouth-watering delights at the next Ruby Country Market.

The traditional style Ruby Country Market at Hatherleigh began in Easter 2012 and has quickly become established as one of Devon's biggest community markets. This is an exciting event designed to showcase local businesses, a social event that brings together buyers and sellers from a wide area. Organisers and stallholders are now looking forward to welcoming visitors to the second Festive Ruby Country Market which will be held on Saturday the 7th December from 9am-2pm. You can browse and shop from around 200 stalls packed full of festive offers and be tempted by mouth-watering delights in the Food Hall. Entertainment will also be available throughout the day from such talented local musicians as:

• The Hatherleigh Silver Band, 
• The Hatherleigh Ukulele Bashers, 
• The Unity Gospel Choir
• Shebbear College Choir,
• Josie Lloyd
• Carnivala. 

Tickets will be on sale for a Bumper Food Hall Raffle in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance trust and several local charities will be represented. For full details of who is stalling and more information please visit www.rubycountrymarket.co.uk or phone 07855187364
.

ALL WASHED UP

North Devon faired reasonably well in the wake of the St. Jude’s Storm which swept over the UK overnight on the 27^th October. Almost 30 metres of rain fell in Devon with up to 75mph winds. Nearly 1inch of rain fell in neighbouring Bude and there was localised flooding and fallen trees. Meanwhile on the North Devon Coast up to a 10ft surf was predicted sending photographers and storm watchers racing to the coast to capture the waves. This was followed by another stormy night on the 3^rd November with exceptionally high tides rolling in under a full moon.  The wind had subsided the following day for our walk down to the beach, but there was a definite chill in the air. Amazingly the old trees in the wooded valley had survived. We were looking for Autumn colour but apart from the burnished bracken there was more leaf fall than leaf turn. Down at the beach the colossal Atlantic rollers had tossed a huge tree branch clear of the pebbles blocking the path at the entrance  to the beach. A wooden pallet and piles of bleached driftwood were scattered on the tideline beneath the cliffs to the left around the bend towards Clovelly and right towards Portledge and beyond. Amongst the driftwood there were, thankfully, just a few bits of plastic debris, a sign of the times. I thought it ironic that the largest item was a plastic bottle entitled “Biological Toilet Cleaner”.Article & Photos copyright P. Adams 4/11/2013

 

 After the rains, the waterfall  always looks more dramatic.  Photo copyright B. Adams

Get involved - How you can help protect our waves, oceans & beaches

• Marine Conservation Society.- UK Charity protecting our seas, shores and wildlife
• Surfers against Sewage - Take Action SAS,org.uk Beach Clean Information