Charity re-homes reptiles

More than 200 reptiles including slow worms and grass snakes have been given a new place to live. Their new home includes bespoke sleeping quarters and the run of one of Devon's most beautiful nature reserves.
The reptiles have been removed from Palm Cross, near Modbury, which is the site of a proposed new development by national house building company Bloor Homes.

The animals are being given a fresh start in life by Devon Wildlife Trust at the charity's Andrew's Wood nature reserve, near Loddiswell. The Trust's Jackie Gage explained:

'We were very pleased to be able to provide these reptiles with a new start. We recognise the need for providing homes for people but wildlife doesn't have to be the loser. Andrew's Wood's 50 hectares of wildflower meadows, ponds and woodland already offer a rich variety of plants and animals a haven in which to flourish. These slow worms and grass snakes are going to a good place.'
In preparation for their arrival Devon Wildlife Trust has been busy building six 'hibernacula' - special winter homes in which the reptiles can sit out the cold winter months ahead in a safe and frost free underground home. Funding for the hibernacula has come from Bloor Homes. Jackie explained:

'A lack of hibernation places is a real problem for reptiles. The hibernacula we've built are basically holes in the ground a metre deep and two metres wide. We've positioned them on sunny south facing slopes. We've filled them with stones for drainage, then logs and larger rocks to create crevices and cavities. On top we've piled sticks, bracken and turfs to offer snug insulation, making sure we've left enough entrance and exit holes for the reptiles to come and go.'

The planned housing development is proposed at Palm Cross in Modbury by Bloor Homes. The company's Land Director Isaac Kibblewhite said:

'As a responsible housebuilder, we do everything we can to ensure that we create a positive difference in the areas we build. This includes making contributions to help the ongoing welfare of the local wildlife and on this occasion we're delighted to assist in translocating reptiles to a new home.'

The reptiles are being captured and moved to their new home by experienced and licenced professionals from Exeter-based EAD Ecology. Associate Director, Ross Bower, explained the process which his team is undertaking:

'Slow worms are legally protected so EAD Ecology is working with Bloor Homes and Devon Wildlife Trust to ensure that none are harmed as a result of the development. We have set out a grid of 'felts', which are squares of roofing felt, in areas where they are likely to occur in the site. The felts warm up more quickly than the surrounding areas during the day, and because slow worms are cold-blooded they are attracted to the warmth. We undertake regular checks under the felts and carefully collect any slow worms that are there, which we then take to their new home at Andrew's Wood. This is part of a range of measures that EAD Ecology and Bloor Homes are implementing to ensure that the development is as wildlife-friendly as possible; a number of the new buildings will include bird and bat boxes and there will be a new wetland area, wildflower meadow, woodland and hedgerow planting within public open space in the site.' 

The trapping and moving of the reptiles from the donor to receptor sites should be completed by the end of September - in good time for the slow worms and grass snakes to find their new winter quarters. 

Devon Wildlife Trust's Andrew's Wood nature reserve is near the village of Loddiswell in the South Hams. It's free to enter and offers the chance to take walks through a wonderful part of Devon's countryside.

'Slow worms are one of the reptile species being found a new home at Devon Wildlife Trust's Andrew's Wood Nature Reserve, near Loddiswell' 
Photo copyright Michael Symes - All rights reserved

Autumn Highlights: A celebration of North Devon Coast and Countryside events

The kids may be back at school and that relaxing holiday may seem a long time ago but the fun doesn't stop in North Devon if you love the coast and countryside. Bright days, a bumper harvest for the birds as berries abound in the garden and hedgerows. Today our local farmer was doing the third cut on the Clover-filled grass in the field. The tractor, normally mobbed by Seagulls was today being encircled by a large flock of Swallows, there are so many insects I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t stay around longer. It may be what's known as an Indian Summer, as there are still plenty of bees around in my garden, settling happily then dozing off on the Teasels. The warm weather is bringing out the butterflies too, I spotted a Speckled Wood amongst the greenery and a Peacock on the last flowering Buddleia. This week I've seen a Willow Warbler and a Wren along with the Blue Tits and Chaffinches. The Blackbirds did well too over the Summer, one of the juveniles has a huge long sharp beak and I’ve named him “Peaky Blinder”. The Sparrows had at least three broods, the youngsters are now self-sufficient so I’m planning to finally cut back the Privet hedge where they roost. I noticed the Greenfinch are back, just in time for the seeds, no doubt. Summer will be over when the Swallows leave for Africa while the summer season comes to a close this weekend with the Bideford Festival of Piping and Drumming and the Bideford Carnival. Some of our tourist attractions close traditionally at the end of October so there is plenty of fun things to do and many continue with fun activities throughout the winter including The Big Sheep who are holding another local fund-raiser with Wine Tasting on the menu and it's all in aid of the North Devon Hospice, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK. If you’re up for a heated debate then head down along for the Clovelly Lectures to discuss "The Rise and Rise of China", the “Historic Ship Sailings” continue until the 26th September from Clovelly Harbour and come November we’ll all be celebrating those Silver Darlings of the sea at the Clovelly Herring Festival. Finally, October is the time to get fit, stay fit or take part in the South West Coast Path Challenge (read all about it here). ...........see event details in listings below.

From Sunday 6th to Saturday 26th September Historic Ship Sailings from Clovelly Harbour Times and prices: Visit Clovelly Events website

Bookings: Skipper, Charles Robertson. T: 07896 215213, Email: charles-robertson@live.co.uk

11th September Wine Tasting at The BIG Sheep, Abbotsham. Enjoy a fun night with friends and sample six delicious wines from different counties and see if you can guess which of our panellists is telling the truth who is trying to baffle you with bull! The panellist will be made up from upstanding members of the community but do you know your wine well enough to know who is bluffing and who is telling the truth. Which of the panellists will you trust - Doctor, Solicitor, Vicar or MP. This is a fund raising event sponsored by Tesco Bideford to raise funds for for Tesco's chosen chairties of the year; Diabetes UK and the Bristish Heart Foundation as well as North Devon Hospice. Tickets cost £10 per person and include a selection of cheese and six wine samples. TEL NO: 01237 472366 EMAIL: nicola@thebigsheep.co.uk Visit website for tickets IN AID OF: North Devon Hospice, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK. Towards the end of September

Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September Bideford Festival of Piping & Drumming Pipe Bands from all over southern England and South Wales will be taking part in various pipe band related activities, with the highlight being the Massed Pipes & Drums on the Quay after Bideford Carnival. Visit website http://www.bidefordmassedbands.co.uk/

Saturday 12th September Bideford Carnival The Carnival procession starts at 6.00pm, followed by the Massed Pipes & Drums at approximately 7.45pm. Ending with a spectacular firework display at about 9.30pm.

Saturday 26 September CLOVELLY LECTURES "The Rise and Rise of China" Speaker Jonathan Fenby CBE Clovelly Visitor Centre Times and prices: Visit http://www.clovelly.co.uk. Bookings and Enquires: E-mail clovellylectures11@gmail.com Tel: 01237 431200

3rd October South West Coast Path Challenge, Minehead. Take part in the South West Coast Path Challenge this October to set the world record for the number of times we can walk or run the Path in one month! Join a 10 Mile Challenge Walk or create your own Challenge to raise funds for Path repairs and improvements. Visit Website for details - IN AID OF: South West Coast Path/National Trust
Saturday 7th November 'Day of the Dead' Night Pig On The Hill,Westward Ho! EX39 5AH. Live Music-tequila bar-Fancy Dress-Face Painting & Pinata - FREE ENTRY 5.00-11.00 MUSIC GENRE: Mariachi Band. Contact Paula Davies 0759 3993948 pigonthehillpress@gmail.com

Sunday 15th November Clovelly Herring Festival. Clovelly was once a major centre for herring fishing. This popular festival is held in support of sustainable fishing and to celebrate the herring, the 'Silver Darlings' of the sea. There'll be delicious herring specialities, cookery demonstrations, live shanty singers, street entertainment, photo exhibition, local food and craft stalls and National Trust event-themed craft activities. Mike Smylie, maritime historian, will return with his 'Kipperland' exhibition and smoke his delicious kippers and bloaters. There'll also be net making, flax processing and a curragh on show provided by 'Flaxland'.
Sunday 22nd November LiveView Photo & Optics Show, The Cedars Inn, Roundswell, Barnstaple Love photography? You'll love this... back by popular demand, J&A Cameras proudly welcomes you to our very own camera extravaganza, LiveView 2015! Sunday 22nd November sees us descend on The Cedars Inn at Roundswell, Barnstaple for the South West's largest photographic and optics show. If you've been thinking about a new toy for this Christmas then you're in luck, the show offers a first class view at some of the latest technology on the market with some unbeatable show prices to boot………… Special guests include Devon Wildlife Trust, cosplay group 'Troop 69' and the beautiful birds from Exmoor Hawking, who will be with us providing some fantastic photo opportunities on the day. The show runs from 10.30am until 4.30pm and admission is completely free. Parking areas will be clearly marked within the grounds of The Cedars Inn, however alternate parking is available 10 minutes walk away at Roundswell Retail Park if needed. The list of guest exhibitors are subject to change. Contact us for more information, showline 01271 375037 or visit www.jandacameras.co.uk/liveview 

For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  

Traditional Plcarooners and Coracles were used to fish for "Silver Darlings" of the sea - Photo Copyright P. Adams (All rights reserved)

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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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Click here to add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar 
(We advise that you check with venues to ensure events are taking place, to confirm details dates & times)

The Boat Stories Series: Short Films Capture the Magic of North Devon's People and Environment

A gala screening event at the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe on Friday 4 September 2015 celebrated the completion of Boat Stories, a series of short films about local people who live their lives connected to boats and fishing in North Devon. This was the first chance for the public to see the whole series of ten, five minute films on the big screen with the added bonus of hearing from and chatting with some of the characters in the films and the film makers themselves.

Boat Stories collaborated with the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon's Fishing for History Project to organise the Ilfracombe Event and Museum Development Manager, Alison Mills commented:

" the films have done a great job in capturing the way in which North Devon people interact with our landscape - which is such an important part of how this area has become the beautiful place it is."

"I would single out the salmon fishing (Salmon Netting on the Taw & Torridge) & Steve Perham (Fishing for Clovelly Herring) films as vital in capturing what may be the last few practitioners of traditional fishing methods, but I also greatly enjoyed the other films - and the obvious concern of the other fishermen about how they can protect as well as prosper from our maritime resources."

The production of these insightful and professionally produced films was made possible in large part by funding from Northern Devon FLAG. Steve Pitcher, Chair of Northern Devon FLAG and North Devon Coast AONB Partnership applauded the work of film producer Jo Stewart-Smith:

"The films are inspirational and are a great showcase for the beauty and activity that are found on the North Devon Coast. Above all it is the people talking about their lives and livelihoods that makes them so good. As the Northern Devon Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) we were very pleased to support the making of these films and to secure funding for them. Apart from the high quality of the films they are also an excellent record of the strong fishing heritage we have here in North Devon. Everyone should see them!"

This may the completion of the production phase of Boat Stories but it is by no means the end. Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of North Devon Moving Image (NDMI), says the objective of all NDMI's projects is to create, collect and share short films about life in North Devon. She says "The first eight films from Boat Stories are available now to view on the Boat Stories website. The complete series will be available online following our final free public screening event at Bideford Cinema on Friday 16 October 2015. Beyond this we are hoping to distribute compilation DVDs to libraries, museums and information centres so as many people as possible can get to see these valuable (and entertaining) local social documentary films."

Visit www.boatstories.co.uk to view the films, book seats at the Bideford screening event and read all about the making of Boat Stories.