Monday, 2 June 2014

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS - Classic Father's Days, Dog Shows, Music Festivals, Nature Walks & Outdoor Theatre Performances

It's blooming June, time for Father's Day, Honeysuckle and Roses, Strawberries and Cream and Wimbledon and the World Cup. Here are just some of the eclectic mix of North Devon Local events from a Classic Car Day for Dad's at the Big Sheep, a Women in Waves at Putsborough Beach and the very first Electric Circus Festival at the Globe in Torrington, a Dog Show and Country Fair at Dowland Farm, Winkleigh and here's hoping the sun comes out for the Outdoor Theatre performances running at Hartland Abbey. This is also a good time for nature lovers to join Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project on their special walks exploring hedgerows, Culm grassland and  wildflower meadows.

7th June Women in Waves Active Devon  working in partnership with Surf Life Saving UK to run a multi-sport event at Putsborough Beach.  Women's Beach activities, Boot Camp, Warm Up followed by a number of beach and water activities including netball, rugby, football, sand ball, surf lifesaving, paddle boarding. Additional activities for children. Visit Web site
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*******THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  6th to 8th June Electric Circus Festival, The Globe Hotel, Great Torrington. Our first Electric Circus Festival will be taking place on the 6,7 & 8th June. Evening tickets will be on sale from Friday 18 April at The Globe Hotel, Great Torrington. £15 will get over 18's access to some of the best and brightest North Devon bands from 7pm across Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Saturday - Sunday 1 - 6pm will be free entry for all with plenty of live music and entertainment for adults and children. Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards a donation to our charity partner, North Devon Against Domestic Abuse. Stay in the know by following us on twitter @OCCLive and check out our website: www.electriccircusfestival.com. Thank you and looking forward to seeing you there!
IN AID OF: A donation will be made to North Devon Against Domestic Abuse TEL NO: 07932 820764 EMAIL: sallydonnellan@gmail.com
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Saturday June 14th Culm in full colour summer nature walk. Merefelle Nature Reserve, Woolsery 11am - 3.00pm. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project for a guided walk through this classic Culm grassland nature reserve. Find out more about the abundant wildflowers, butterflies and other colourful creatures, together with their less flamboyant neighbours hiding in the undergrowth. Grid ref SS 310 190. Call Clare Manning on 01271 388647 or email cmanning@devonwildlifetrust.org for more details and to book places.
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15th June Father's Day at the Big Sheep. Dad's visit for FREE when accompanied by 1 full paying child under 16 on Fathers Day. Are you struggling to think of an imaginative present to buy Dad this Father’s Day? Look no further, as The BIG Sheep in Bideford, has got the perfect ingredients for an extra special Fathers Day this year…
15th June A Classic Day out for Father's Day at the Big Sheep. The BIG Sheep family attraction in North Devon will be hosting a classic day out for dads to celebrate Father’s Day in style this year. On Sunday 15th June from 10am to 5pm the North Devon Sports and Classic Car Club will join forces…
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15th June  Dowland Country Fair & Dog Show Furze Park, Nr Winkleigh Devon EX19 8PQ Every year people join us from all over the South West for this fantastic family day out. This year we are delighted to be having a spectacular fly past featuring 5 World War 11 Austers, birds of prey, gun dog & hand sheep shearing displays, vintage, Suffolk punch, pony rides, children's attractions, trade stands, barbecue, bar, cream teas. Lurcher,Terrier, Family Dog & Ferret Shows, Buckham Fair Best Rescue qualifier. Lurcher simulated coursing book in from 9am for 9-30am start. Lurcher & Terrier racing, Entertainment Stage. A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND THE DAY Sunday 15th June 11am - 5pm Adults £4 children £1 under 5's free  IN AID OF: donations from this event will be given to the North Devon Children's Hospice and local organisations. Visit web site for more
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Thursday 19th June, Miracle Theatre presents ‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare at Hartland Abbey 7pm. Freely adapted & directed by Bill Scott with original music by Jim Carey. Miracle celebrates 35 years of producing engaging, inventive and enjoyable theatre by bringing together a team of talented collaborators, past and present, to create a fresh and musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless play that will delight audiences of all ages. Enjoy the full ‘open air theatre experience’ by bringing along well stocked picnics, cushions and blankets for a special night of theatre performed under the stars! Full £13.00 Concession £11.00 Supporter £9.00 Family tickets available Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Pimms and Wine Bar and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending from 2 hours before the show. Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre Box Office: 01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk. Hartland Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay) www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234
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Friday June 27th Lockspark Farm Walk at Lockspark Farm, near Hatherleigh. 11am - 3.00pm. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project for a guided walk exploring the hedgerow wildlife and rich Culm grassland of this Dolton farm with owners Rob and Paula Wolton. Grid ref SS 523 018. Spaces are limited and booking is essential. Call Clare Manning on 01271 388647 or email cmanning@devonwildlifetrust.org for more details and to book places.
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28th June Armed Forces Day at the Big Sheep. Free entry to all armed forces on Saturday 28th June.
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Sunday, 29th June, 3 pm matinĂ©e and 7 pm Hartland Abbey Plough Community Theatre presents ‘Candleford’. After ‘Lark Rise’ last year Plough Community Theatre complete the story with ‘Candleford’ where young Laura Timms leaves her village and goes to work in the very centre of rural 1880s small town life – the post office. Keith Dewhurst’s lively 1978 adaptation for the National Theatre tells a gentle yet powerful story of country characters with the action all taking place on the coldest day of the winter and the first day of the hunt. Local actors will breathe life, humour and music into this simple yet joyfully heart-warming piece of theatre. “Plough Community Theatre created a surreal comedic air that gave a sense of a rural community in an isolated grip of madness....we became part of this insanity and had a jolly good laugh” Tony Glynn North Devon Journal (‘Lark Rise’ 2013) Full £10.00 Concession £8.00 Supporter £7.00 Family tickets available. Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Cream Teas (afternoon show), Pimms and Wine Bar and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending from 2 hours before the evening show (matinĂ©e – 1 hour prior to show) Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre Box Office: 01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Hartland Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay) www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234

For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal
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NORTH DEVON TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, North Devon Museum, The Square, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 9LS
Bideford Tourist Information Centre, Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road, Bideford, EX39 2QQ 

Braunton Tourist Information Centre The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1AA
Combe Martin Tourist Information Centre Cross Street, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 ODH 

Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre: The Memorial Hall, Holsworthy, 
Torrington Tourist Information Centre, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington   
lfracombe Tourist Information Centre The Landmark Theatre, The Seafront, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9BX
Lynton Tourist Information Centre Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, North Devon, EX35 6HT T

South Molton Tourist Information  1 East Street, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3BU 
Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre The Esplanade, Woolacombe, North Devon, EX34 7DL 
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 To add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar 
http://www.thenorthdevonfocus.co.uk/localevents.htm

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

May Flowers bring some late Spring Zing.

As we head towards the end of May I look back on the glorious weather during the middle of the month. I am always out taking photos, recording the seasons, whatever the weather, and it was fantastic to see the sun bringing a little late Spring zing to the North Devon Coast and Countryside. It’s my favourite time of year when the Hawthorn blossoms and the wild flowers fight for the light in leafy woodland glades. This is the time when white rules. Cow Parsley stands stall above the Ramsons, Greater Stitchwort and Woodruff. Large White butterflies flirt and flutter from flower to flower. Today a little hint of colour is added from the first spurt of fresh green leaves on the old gnarled trees, unfurling Fronds, teeny Speedwell, Early Purple Orchid, Red Campion, Tufted Vetch and of course Bluebells and that’s just on the verges on track down through the Valley. Below,  on the meadows, beside the South West Coast Path, there are Cuckoo Flowers, Clover and creeping Buttercup while spiky Bugle, Ribwart Plaintain and Common Sorrel race to keep their  heads above the rising Bracken.
Queen Anne's Lace

Hawthorne Blossom, Cuckoo Flower, Ramsons, Red Campion, Bluebells, Early Purple Orchid

 Bugle, Common Sorrel and Plaintain heralding the start of Summer

New vista over Bideford Bay
  • Cow Parsley a member of the Carrot family otherwise known as Queen Anne’s Lace
  • Common Sorrel is an important larval food plant of the Small Copper Butterfly.
  • Cuckoo Flower  otherwise known as Lady’s Smock food plant of the Orange Tip Butterfly

DEVON'S CORONATION MEADOW

HRH The Prince of Wales crowned Dunsdon National Nature Reserve near Holsworthy, north Devon, a Coronation Meadow in June 2013 - There will be one in every county across the UK to mark the The Queen's Coronation. One year on, with the meadow looking its very best, why not pay Dunsdon a visit to see why it won The Royal Seal of Approval! 
Coronation Meadows Project Manager, Dan Merrett explains: "Since the 1930's we have lost a staggering 97% of our wildflower-rich meadows and the colour and vibrancy that was once an everyday part of the rural summer is now a sight few of us ever see. Coronation Meadows are amongst the few remaining fragments and embody the often distinct character of each counties grassland heritage. Through the early summer months they give an unrivalled display of brilliance and beauty, bursting with life before they are cut for hay and grazed to secure the following years' display." 
Celebrate Dunsdon with a visit 
Until purchased by Devon Wildlife Trust in 2000, land at Dunsdon had been managed by the same family (the Hoppers) since 1927. Thanks to these decades of traditional management this meadow offers a snapshot of the past showing how the region once appeared - rich in rare and spectacular wildlife. A boardwalk and canal towpath offer access for all to part of the site, more footpaths run through the rougher grassland. The range of wild flowers ensures that there is always something in bloom from early summer right through to the end of September. Arguably the most important Culm grassland left in England; this habitat has declined sharply in extent since the 1970s and Dunsdon represents an important reservoir for the wildlife of this area. Dan Smith of Devon Wildlife Trust explains: "June is the best time of year to see one of the most glorious of north Devon's traditional flower-rich landscapes at its most colourful. Our Nature Reserve Discovery Day on Sun 15th includes guided walks around Dunsdon taking in the orchids and butterflies of the meadows as well as the new kilometre-long pond recently created in the dried-up Bude Canal. Longer walks take in the Canal and the restored meadows at DWT's Vealand Farm nature reserve two miles away. We'll also have drinks and homemade cakes for the end of your walk!" "It's not just the rare wildflowers that are waiting to wow you! If you love wildlife, this is the place to visit! Twenty six different butterfly species have been recorded here, including the beautiful marsh fritillary and you will also see dragonflies and damselflies. These insects thrive around the recently 're-wetted' stretch of the disused Bude Canal. Dunsdon is a bird spotter's paradise with over 70 species recorded. Barn owls use the site frequently as a feeding ground, and herons can be seen roosting in the trees. It's also home to foxes, roe deer and badgers, and the thick hedge banks also support dormice, feeding on hazel nuts and using honeysuckle as nesting material." 
Dunsdon: Not just a pretty place! 
Dunsdon is also a "donor" meadow which provides seed for the creation of new meadows at "recipient" sites in Devon, so new Coronation meadows will created. This will give much needed homes for bees, butterflies and other pollinators and will secure our wildflower heritage for the future. 
Devon Wildlife Trust, who own this reserve provide walking routes, including a 4-mile return walk to nearby DWT reserve Vealand Farm, on their website at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/reserve/Dunsdon/walks www.coronationmeadows.org.uk 
The Coronation Meadows Partnership is made up of Plantlife, The Wildlife Trusts and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron of all three charities. 

http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/reserve/Dunsdon/walks/

Lesser butterfly orchids are one of the rare species to be found at Devon's Coronation Meadow. Photo, Copyright Kevin New- All Rights Reserved