Charismatic Salmon Netters Caught on Film

Salmon Netting on the Taw and Torridge is the second short film to be released in the North Devon Boat Stories series. Once upon a time catching salmon was a way of life for almost everyone living by the Taw or Torridge rivers in North Devon. The salmon population declined in the rivers over the years and the number of netting licences were restricted. As numbers of salmon in the rivers dwindled further, in 2002, the rods men offered to buy out the remaining nets men. Three boat owners refused the offer and these are the only licensed netters remaining on the estuary today. This short film is an insight into a disappearing traditional way of life and introduces us to 84 year old Stephen Taylor and his wife Sheila as they cast their seine net for salmon on the River Taw. Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of North Devon Moving Image, hosts of the Boat Stories project, says "This film is a real gem. It oozes charm both from the charismatic couple and the tranquil scenes on the estuary. It's so important to capture lives like this on film, traditional skills which may well disappear in the future - even in our own lifetimes." Film producer Jo Stewart-Smith has dug up so much gold when it comes to stories for her films that (rather than file them away) she is sharing them via the Boat Stories website with blogs on the film making, snippets of stories from her subjects and out take video clips. Jo says "Simon Vacher (the cameraman) and I were inspired by filming this lovely couple working hard together outdoors and having a good laugh. We were also lucky to be in a fantastic location – the Taw & Torridge estuary – with beautiful mellow, evening light." "I’m not sure I can row a boat against the tide or haul in a heavy salmon net now – let alone at 84! They were so natural when we filmed them – they just got on with the job and let us follow them around." You can watch the film online at the Boat Stories website www.boatstories.co.uk and it will soon be available for viewing on DVD at Braunton Museum. In September there will be a public screening as part of the Salar the Salmon exhibition at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon where you will also have a chance to meet Steven and Sheila Taylor and hear their stories in person.

Salmon Netting with Sheila and Simon Taylor with Film producer Jo Stewart-Smith and cameraman Simon Vacher. Photos copyright Boat Stories (All rights reserved)

Thanks to the positive response to the first two Boat Stories films NDMI has received further funding from Northern Devon FLAG to produce four more films in the Boat Stories series, bringing the total up to ten films. Production will be complete by the end of Summer 2015 and the films will be available free to watch online and at libraries and information centres in North Devon.

Weaving the Community Back Together in Braunton

A collaboration between community film making organisation North Devon Moving Image (NDMI) and local artist Jo Bushell has brought together a group of Braunton residents to talk about life in the North Devon village. The Brauntonians, whose ages span from 7 to 90, came together at St Brannock's Church Rooms on Tuesday 29 July 2014 to create a collaborative art work inspired by their memories of the bulb farm and maritime heritage of the area. With the help of Jo the group wove a large Carrick Bend knot representing the local landscape of land meeting sea and the youngsters decorated it to represent the colours of the bulb farm at the Great Field in Braunton. Prompted by the intergenerational conversations on the day they then printed individual words on cloth to attach to the knot. Creative Director of NDMI, Amanda McCormack says the event was a great success "It was fascinating to hear what life was like in Braunton in the past and really touching to see the older and younger members of the group interacting and learning from each other. There was an immense positive energy in the room on the day and we have produced a short film of the event as a way of sharing that with others." Jo Bushell agrees "It was very moving day in many ways ... weaving the community back together. As an artist this what it's about - creating spaces for people to dialogue and share their stories so that we can reshape our communities and make them stronger. For me the art is the process of enabling this to happen. A great big thanks to NDMI for asking me to be part of this. It has been an inspiring journey working with you to bring this together. It clearly had a huge impact on the older members of our group who came along. Much more of this is needed." Ninety year old Les Neville, a relative newcomer to Braunton having lived there only 20 years said "It's made a break for me, sitting at home on my own every day. I've really enjoyed the day meeting so many young people and happy people and talking about our past lives." Brian Clarke added "I've learned a lot of things about Braunton I ought to have known I suppose ... having lived here for eighty odd years, I've learned a lot!" Eight year old Iola said "Luckily one of the people that we had in our group, his family had been living in Braunton a long time so he told us what's been going on in the past so now we know more about it." This project was made possible with a grant from Fullabrook CIC and the help of Braunton Museum, an Aladdin's cave of fascinating facts and artefacts.

To watch the film visit the North Devon Moving Image website http://www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk/films.html

Local people asked: 'Do you want beavers to remain?'

People are being asked their views about the future of Devon's first wild beaver population for more than 300 years. A public meeting is being held to discuss the beavers on Tuesday 19 August at The Institute in the east Devon town of Ottery St Mary (EX11 1HD), close to where the beavers are believed to be living on the River Otter. The host's, Devon Wildlife Trust, are inviting people to make their views known from 3pm on the day with a formal public meeting scheduled for 7.30pm that evening. It is not known where the beavers came from or how long they have been on Devon's River Otter, although anecdotal evidence suggests they may have been resident for several years. Nor is it clear how many animals are present. Recent film footage of the beavers' broadcast on BBC1 shows adults and kits (baby beavers), suggesting that a breeding population has established itself. In July, Defra announced its intention to catch and remove the beavers, citing the risk of disease and the animals' potential impact on the landscape as reasons. However, a growing number of voices have stated that the beavers should remain; saying that beavers were once a part of the English landscape and that they could be again. The beavers' supporters cite the role the animals could potentially play in flood alleviation, water quality improvement and their positive impacts on other wildlife as reasons for them to stay. Devon Wildlife Trust's Steve Hussey urged people to attend the specially convened meeting: 'The wild beavers on the River Otter have certainly attracted a lot of attention. We've had media interest from as far away as New Zealand and the USA wanting to know what their fate will be. This event is the opportunity for the local community to now make their views known.' Steve continued: 'We need to hear from people whether they think the beavers should remain as part of their local landscape, or whether they think they should be removed.' The beaver consultation day will include presentations from beaver experts including Prof Bryony Coles of the University of Exeter. Evidence from beaver trials conducted in other parts of the country will also be on show. Steve continued: 'We want the event to be a chance for people to ask questions and to tell us their views. As an independent charity working for the county's wildlife, Devon Wildlife Trust thinks the beavers should remain but only after it's been established if they are disease free, and only if the local community wants them there. This event will help us get an answer to the second of these two questions.' The event is free to attend and there is no need to book in advance. 

Those unable to attend can still give their opinions using the dedicated email address devonwildbeavers@devonwildlifetrust.org or by letter to Devon Wildlife Trust, Cricklepit Mill, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4AB.

For more information contact Jasmine Atkinson, Communications Assistant on 01392 279244 or email jatkinson@devonwildlifetrust.org 

Photo: Beaver. Copyright Ben Lee. (All rights reserved)