Winter Highlights. A celebration of North Devon Coast and Countryside events

Well the weather has turned, what a gloomy week, rain AND all things reality or celebrity on the TV. Thank goodness for dramatic highlights, Homeland, Unforgotten and Arne Dahl to even things out Although the sunshine has been turned off for the moment the Christmas Lights will soon be turned on around the region, Barnstaple will be first to light up in spectacular style this Sunday so get the camera or your phone at the ready. What great timing there is also a camera extravaganza at the Cedars Inn, the LiveView Photo & Optics Shows will be worth a visit, you can find out all about the latest gadgets before you go or get some advice on how to do those nights with lights shots. You’ll definitely need to be ready (photographically speaking) for the twinkling Coca-Cola truck how fantastic that it has included Barnstaple in its UK tour. The “Holidays are Coming” too at the Big Sheep who will be holding a series of events on the run up to Christmas, Farmers Markets and Craft and Gift Fairs and wacky Woolly’s Wonderland Weekends. Bideford's big switch on will be on 6th December. A little Christmas spirit for local charities is always welcome so watch out for your local seasonal events, a family friendly Christmas Fair is being held in aid of Northam Lodge on the 5th December and on the 6th December Clovelly will be switching on their Christmas Lights in aid of the R.N.L.I. Clovelly’s very busy year finishes off with their Boxing Day Barbecue on the quay. So if you want to get some fresh air ENTRANCE IS FREE into the village and there will be live music, mulled wine, and even a treasure hunt? While you are all tucking into festive fayre spare a thought for the birds and keep those feeders and water bowls topped up. 

Sunday 22nd November Barnstaple Christmas Light Switch On Sunday 22nd November from 2pm-7pm. The countdown to Christmas starts now! There's a packed programme of events planned in Barnstaple in the run up to Christmas, kicking off with the town's light switch-on event at the Square on Sunday 22 November. There's a great line-up of local talent performing live from 2pm onwards, with BRIT Award-winning BLAKE taking time out from their concert of Christmas Classics at the Queen's Theatre to switch on the town's lights. Visit website for details

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

From 26th November Machines that Draw. Winter Artists in residence at St. Anne's Art & Community Centre, Barnstaple. St Anne's Arts Centre has welcomed its next artists in residence - Edmund Eva & George Baldwin, eegb drawing. The pair are the successful applicants to Septembers call for a winter artist in residence at the arts centre.
Open Studio sessions on 26 + 27 November, 3 + 4 December, 9 + 10 December all 11am - 7pm
· Free Workshop for Families - Scribble Bots 11 Dec 10am - 12 noon
· Talk with Petroc Art Students 1 Dec 1pm
· Workshop with Park School 25 Nov 10am
· Exhibition 14 - 24 Dec
· Exhibition Preview 17 Dec 6.30pm
View full details/read all about it-
Friday 27th November Holidays are Coming. It’s a familiar, Christmassy sight: a fleet of twinkling Coca-Cola trucks making their way across a snowy landscape. This is how you know that holidays are coming. And this year, the famous truck is coming to Barnstaple on 27th November. The trucks have become Christmassy icons since they were launched on TV in 1995. Come on down to The Square, Barnstaple on Friday 27th November, from midday until 8pm - it promises to be a great day! Visit Website for Barnstaple Events

Christmas Farmers Markets and Craft and Gift Fair at the Big Sheep, Abbotsham (5th - 23rd December) Woolly's Wonderland Weekends from 5th December and Daily from 19th - 24th December + Visit Website for details

Saturday 5th December Family Friendly Christmas Fair from 12noon to 3.30pm at Northam Lodge Rose Hill, Heywood Road, Bideford EX39 3PG. A family friendly Christmas Fair with stalls, a raffle, refreshments and Father Christmas will be in his Grotto. Please come along and support your local charity. IN AID OF Northam Lodge. Contact Email: annabelcope@northamlodge.co.uk - Website: northamlodge.co.uk

Saturday 5th December Ruby Country Market Hatherleigh Market. Large Festive Market selling "all kinds of everything" with music and attractions. 9am-2pm. www.rubycountrymarket.co.uk

Sunday 6th December Bideford Christmas Lights Switch On 5pm - Click here for details

Sunday 6th December Clovelly Christmas Lights 3:30 pm, in aid of the R.N.L.I. Christmas is a magical time at Clovelly. A local brass brand leads the procession down to the harbour and accompanies festive Christmas carols sung by a local choir. A hog roast, punch, and mince pies follow and Father Christmas makes a surprise visit. At about 5 pm the switch is thrown and the entire village and harbour are lit up. It's a fantastic sight and there's a grand finale of fireworks to finish off

Saturday 12th December Frank Sinatra Tribute Evening. The Westward Ho! Music Community are celebrating the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra by organising a special Tribute Evening at the Bideford Football Club, Robin's Nest in aid of Dr Robin Buckland Children's Holiday Foundation North Devon - Against Domestic Abuse and Winston's Wish Charities.
This special Christmas Sinatra Night Celebration will feature music by RAT PACK PETE and Kasey & Magi’s Magic Karaoke Ensemble supported by members of local singing groups.

The show starts at 7.00pm through until midnight – an open buffet, Rat Pack Pete, Karaoke and Dancing, guest singers and a Champagne Ticket Draw and ample parking.
For further information about tickets call 01237 474 974 or email noahsark@uku.co.uk etc visit https://www.facebook.com/The-Sinatra-Challenge-40874734599…/

Friday 26 December Clovelly Boxing Day Barbecue 12.30 to 3pm at Clovelly Harbour. Join us for our Boxing Day Barbecue on the quay at Clovelly, with FREE entrance into the village. Why not enjoy a walk on the estate then come along to the barbecue where there will be live music, mulled wine, and even a treasure hunt? It will make the perfect follow-up to your own family day.
Contact: Tel: 01237 431781. www.clovelly.co.uk No admission charges:
 
For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  

Home is where the birds are -  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)

Short Film - Ben Bengey - North Devon's Young Fishing Industry Ambassador

An inspirational young fisherman from Ilfracombe in North Devon is fast becoming the voice for the future of fishing in the UK. Ben Bengey's charm and passion for his work make him the perfect young ambassador for the industry. Ben features in a new short film - A Life in the Day of a Young Fisherman - one episode in a ten part series of five minute documentaries on the people whose lives revolve around boats and fishing in North Devon.

Ben understands the importance of sustainability in his work and wants to share this with others. In September Ben took his film to London for the launch of Blue New Deal, an initiative from the New Economics Foundation (NEF) and explains "It was about UK coastal communities and the jobs and people behind it all. So I went to talk about fishing and tell people that fisherman are not as bad as the news shows and we do put things in place to stop overfishing, like the ray box and the Trevose box."

One scene in "A Life in the Day of a Young Fisherman" shows Ben returning a lobster to the sea despite it being within the legal size for keeping. He says he'd "rather put it back... may have kids... grow a bit bigger" and adds "I don't see any reason to keep 'em. You're just messing with your own future, to be honest". Ben lives and breathes a life on the sea - at just 19 he has his own boat, Silver Spirit, which is licensed for both commercial fishing and passengers so when he's not out potting for lobsters and crabs (or volunteering for the RNLI) he's running fishing trips and he spends his spare time on his boat fishing with his mates for the sheer pleasure of it. He sums up his film with the words " I just want to be out on the water, every day, every hour."

Boat Stories Producer, Jo Stewart-Smith says "Right from the beginning I wanted to make a film about a young fisherman starting out - who was serious about making a go of it in this tough, fickle, roller coaster business. It's not a choice many youngsters make - there are far easier ways of making a living. But as someone wrote after watching our film 'Ben is following his dream and making a go of it.' The Boat Stories films are a valuable way of informing people about the fishing industry, Ben says "It's really good as like I said on the news (ITV Westcountry interviewed Ben to launch Boat Stories as a web series) people don't have a clue what we do and it's great to show people!" 

You can watch Ben's film and read more about him and his work on the Boat Stories website www.boatstories.co.uk.

Charity raises support for wildlife through Christmas cards and gifts.

A characterful puffin and an icy fox are just two images a local wildlife charity has chosen for its 2015 Christmas cards. Devon Wildlife Trust has been fundraising through Christmas card sales for several years now and in 2014, nearly £6000 was raised to support its vital work for wildlife across the county.
This year, Devon Wildlife Trust has added a number of new lines. A puffin flying in the snow, a swan and her cygnet, an icy fox and a handsome robin along with the popular multi-image card make up the stunning designs. The Wildlife Trusts 2016 calendar is also available and features 13 stunning images of the UK's wildlife. Orders can be made online, by phone or by post.
Devon Wildlife Trust is also offering a special Christmas gift for countryside lovers. A year's membership of Devon Wildlife Trust provides the opportunity for countless free days out in some of Devon's most stunning landscapes. As an extra Christmas offer, gift membership also includes a choice of free illustrated book.
Devon Wildlife Trust is also urging people to think of treating the wildlife-lovers in their life with a very special Christmas gift. Adopting a species makes an unusual present. Choices include bee, hedgehog, bat, otter, dormouse and dolphin - with the recipient receiving a cute soft toy, activity book, fact sheet and more.
Jasmine Atkinson, DWT's Communications Assistant said 'Our Christmas cards are already flying off the shelves and the new designs are proving popular. Buying cards and calendars from Devon Wildlife Trust is a great way to help wildlife from the comfort of your living room!' Jasmine added 'It is sometimes difficult to find unusual presents. Our Christmas gift membership offers a present that will last all year and is perfect for friends and family who love wildlife and the Devon countryside'. Cards are printed on sustainably sourced card and really show off some of Devon's best-loved animals. All the profits from the sales of Devon Wildlife Trust's cards and gifts go directly to support its work for the county's wildlife.

People who wish to purchase cards should visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244. The cards are also available through the Cards for Good Causes outlets across the county and from The Trust's Cricklepit Mill headquarters in Exeter.