FREE courses ‘All things wood-fuel’ this Autumn with Northern Devon NIA

Everyone likes to be cosy and warm. With Autumn round the corner and with rising energy costs it’s little wonder that people are increasingly considering the best way to heat their homes. With this in mind a series of FREE wood-fuel workshops is now being offered to people in north Devon. For some, woodfuel might conjure images of a log burner used only for special occasions, but in years gone-by wood from Devon’s hedgerows and woodland was one of the main sources of domestic heating. You don’t have to look far in Devon to find a woodland which could potentially be managed for abundant supplies of this renewable, sustainable fuel. Happily, in addition to saving money on your heating and helping lower carbon emissions, managing woodland for woodfuel can also be good news for wildlife too. Whether you’re a home owner thinking of new ways to heat your house, or a woodland owner interested in how your woodland might best be managed to contribute to the local economy, FREE courses led by industry experts and provided by the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area Project provide a wealth of information. 

• September 16th - If you are thinking of renewable heating with wood-fuel - either woodchip or logs, and taking advantage of the Renewable Heat Incentive, this workshop will help you to understand how it all works, from accessing the woodlands to extract the timber to processing for chip-wood or logs. 
• September 18th - Guided visits to local boiler installations to demonstrate the range of options available to anyone thinking of taking advantage of the Renewable Heat Incentive. 
• October 2nd – A guided woodland walk to learn how Devon woodland can be managed for both biodiversity and economic value. 
• October 24th - From 2015 all woodlands will only be eligible for grant aid if an approved management plan is in place. Learn what is required in the plan, how to access the grant and hear advice for those wishing to write the plan themselves or to contract the services of a professional. 
• 4th November – With ever rising populations of the non-native grey squirrel, damage to young trees through bark stripping is at epidemic proportions in North Devon. If you have young trees or are hoping for regenerating seedling in your wood to have a chance of establishing this course is a must. 
•  27th November – Learn how to fell and extract small amounts of timber for personal use or sale using techniques including a compact tractor, small crane and extraction using horses. Practical solutions for everyday woodland owner problems are all high on the agenda. For the less mechanized or equestrian amongst you there will be practical coppicing advice including the use of tools.

For more information on any of the courses described please visit www.northerndevonnia.org/events or contact us on info@northerndevonnia.org or call 07816342229 

 Photo: Copyright Kevin New (All rights Reserved)

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS. A celebration of North Devon Coast and Countryside events

Hope you all had a good summer, not a bad August weatherwise even though it was a bit of a drab Bank Holiday. The sun, sails, gigs and crowds came out on the 23rd August for the homecoming of Bideford's own Kathleen and May. September highlights include the Big Sheep's first ever Wedding Fayre while Sea Ilfracombe celebrates all things maritime including a visit from the Waverley. The world's last sea-going paddle steamer will be offering Sail Away Days from 29th August to 7th September. Round the Bay, Clovelly pays tribute to those famous Lobsters at the annual Lobster and Crab Feast, boat trips, fishy treats and shanties with kids fishy fun activities. For steam enthusiasts who prefer to travel on land it's Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Autumn Gala, Woody Bay Station's biggest event of the year.

7th September Lobster and Crab Feast. We pay tribute to Clovelly's famous lobsters and crabs with a day of live folk music, quay kitchens, beer tasting, prize draw, arts and crafts stalls and cookery demonstrations. For the children there's street theatre, N. Devon Biosphere/IFCA marine 'show and tell' activities, walkabout magic, balloon modelling, and N. Devon A.O.N.B.'s event-themed craft activities The Red Lion Harbour restaurant will be offering delicious lobster and crab platters, each with a complimentary glass of bubbly. In aid of the National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow, who will bring along a tank of baby lobsters, to be later released into the sea. http://www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk/ - Standard admission charges include all entertainment.
7th September Sea Ilfracombe Triathlon Competitors take to the water then cycle and run. www.seailfracombe.co.uk
13th September Dance Yourself Fit at the Big Sheep. Join us for a weekend of fitness with Chasamaba Fitness instructor, Anthony Pendlebury and other dance fitness specialists . They will be showing you fun way on how to stay fit and workout! Get your kiddies active this weekend and join us for some fitness fun.
12th to Sunday 14th September Bideford Festival of Piping & Drumming
13th September Ilfracombe Bike Show Hundreds of roaring motorcycles in an event run by North Devon MAG. www.visitilfracombe.co.uk

13th September Bideford Carnival  Carnival Starts 5.45pm with the crowning of the queen at the Reds Rowing Club, followed by the carnival procession which leaves the Quay at 6pm, Massed Pipes & Drums 8.00pm, Fireworks 9.30pm See local press for details

19th September Jeans for Gene's Day at the Big Sheep. BIG Sheep staff will be wearing their jeans on Friday 20th September to raise money for Genetic Disorders UK. Wear your genes and we will donate £1 of your entrance fee to the charity.

September 16th - FREE courses ‘All things wood-fuel’ this Autumn with Northern Devon NIA. If you are thinking of renewable heating with wood-fuel - either woodchip or logs, and taking advantage of the Renewable Heat Incentive, this workshop will help you to understand how it all works, from accessing the woodlands to extract the timber to processing for chip-wood or logs. View details

September 18th - FREE courses ‘All things wood-fuel’ this Autumn with Northern Devon NIA. Guided visits to local boiler installations to demonstrate the range of options available to anyone thinking of taking advantage of the Renewable Heat Incentive. View details

21st September The Emergency Challenge & Super Hero Day at the Big Sheep. Come along and watch teams from North Devon’s Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service, Police Service, Coastguards, RNLI, Air & Sea Rescue and RMB Chivenor battle it out in a Tug of War Challenge to see which team will win £500 towards their own chosen charity. Come dressed a your favourite…
21st September The BIG North Devon Wedding Fair at the Big Sheep. Sunday 21st September 11am until 4pm Join us for our FIRST ever Wedding Fair - we'll have a whole host of local wedding suppliers all under one roof to help you plan your BIG day!

26th September – 5th October Appledore Book Festival Visit web site for details

27th & 28th September Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Autumn Gala Woody Bay's biggest event of the year. Several engines in steam, marquee attractions, real ale, cider, BBQ and much more. www.lynton-rail.co.uk
28th September The Big Sheep Cream Tea Challenge at the Big Sheep. Calling all local Cafe’s, Bakeries and Deli’s in North Devon. Do you produce the best scone in North Devon then we would like you to enter our brand new competition to find the best Scone in North Devon. Simply drop in 4 scones on Saturday 27th September…

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 

WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE - FAMILY EVENT TO PRODUCE SHORT FILM ABOUT WORKING LIVES OF SOUTH MOLTON PEOPLE

South Molton residents will have a chance to share their stories of working life at a creative multi generational local history workshop on Saturday 20 September 2014. The When I Was Your Age: South Molton event is a chance for local people of different generations to come together and share their memories and aspirations. Guided by community artist Jo Bushell, the group will be collaborating on a work of art using silhouette and shadow. The workshop is suitable for all ages from seven up and no artistic experience or skills are necessary. Participants are welcome to bring along their photographs and artefacts to share with the group. Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of NDMI, says "We recently ran a similar event in Braunton and it was a great success! It was wonderful to see the different generations interacting and learning from each other. Using the creative element of the workshop enables the participants to get to know each other in a relaxed setting and to work collaboratively on a piece of art. We have chosen the topic of work for this event because the South Molton area has a strong rural identity and we are expecting to hear some interesting tales about the wool trade and farming and maybe some surprises too! Involving the younger people is a fascinating way of capturing the differences between work and aspirations today and in the past and makes for a more unusual and entertaining oral history film." 

The workshop is free but places are strictly limited so booking is essential. Contact Amanda McCormack at NDMI on 01271 860610 or email northdevonmovingimage@outlook.com to book places or to find out more. The event takes place at The Amory Centre in South Molton from 10.30 am until 2.30 pm on Saturday 20 September 2014. There is no charge and a light lunch will be provided. To see the short film of the Braunton project visit the NDMI website www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk.