Monday, 21 March 2016

Seaton Jurassic to open doors for first time on Saturday 26th March

A £4million visitor attraction is set to open its doors to visitors for the first time this Easter.

Seaton Jurassic is based in the East Devon coastal resort of Seaton. It hopes to attract thousands of visitors to experience its unique telling of the story of life and particularly how it has evolved on the Jurassic Coast over the past 250 million years ago.

Mike Ruiter, Seaton Jurassic's manager said:
'We are very excited about the prospect of opening. Our staff and local volunteers can't wait to greet the first visitors when we open our doors at 10am on Saturday 26th March. We think Seaton Jurassic offers a unique experience for visitors. They can certainly expect something very different to what already exists along the Jurassic Coast.'
 
In the past weeks trial sessions with invited guests have already proved Seaton Jurassic own take on local natural and geological history to be a hit with people of all ages.

Mike Ruiter said:
'We've had people tell us they were amazed by our interactive exhibits, wowed by the detail of them and what we've managed to fit into the space available.' Seaton Jurassic promises to take people on an adventure back across 250 million years to the beginnings of the Mesozoic period. It charts the struggles of local life to adapt and survive in changing and often hostile environments. Visitors are being promised 'time travel' and the prospect of coming face-to-face with the creatures and characters who have been part of the Jurassic Coast's story. But there's a more tranquil side to Seaton Jurassic. Visitors can also expect a cafĂ© with two huge palm trees at their centre along with a menu of good food and drink sourced using local suppliers. A shop and wildlife garden completes the experience. Seaton Jurassic is marking its opening with a packed programme of entertainments and events. On Saturday 26th March there will be storytellers, face painters and more. Sunday 27th March sees a Jurassic-themed Easter Egg Hunt. While on Easter Monday 28th March a special expert-led guided walk will unlock the secrets held in the rocks of the local landscape. These events signal a spring and summer programme the full details of which people can see at www.seatonjurassic.org 

Seaton Jurassic is owned by East Devon District Council. Councillor Paul Diviani, Leader of East Devon District Council, said that the centre - at the very heart of the world-renowned Jurassic Coast - marks another step in the regeneration of the town. He said: 

'Seaton Jurassic is a top attraction which will bring in thousands of visitors and, in turn, will boost the economy of Seaton and East Devon too.' 'We're very proud to be the main funder of such a unique project and we believe it will be a catalyst for the further regeneration of the town itself.' The operator of Seaton Jurassic is Devon Wildlife Trust. 
The charity's Chief Executive Officer, Harry Barton, said: 
'Seaton Jurassic is a project that has been more than a decade in the making. Seeing it for real, brand new, dramatic and sparkling in the spring sunshine, is an absolute thrill. And like all great treasures, the best bits are inside! I am just so grateful for all the support from the local community. I really hope they are as proud of the end result as I am.' 

Seaton Jurassic will open its doors for the first time at 10am on Saturday 26th March. Entry costs £8 for adults and £5 for children, with family tickets priced at £18. The entry fee covers return visits for a year. Seaton Jurassic can be found on the Underfleet, Seaton, EX12 2WD, next to the Seaton Tramway. It has a pay and display car park just 100 metres from its entrance and excellent public transport links with the X53 Jurassic Coast bus stopping at its door! 

Seaton Jurassic
Young people enjoy Seaton Jurassic's interactive displays at a recent trial day  
Photos copyright Matt Austin (All rights reserved)

 Further details about making a visit to Seaton Jurassic can be found at www.seatonjurassic.org Seaton Jurassic has received generous support from Devon County Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Coastal Communities Fund, Seaton Town Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, Fine Family Foundation, Seaton Visitor Centre Trust, Blue Marine Foundation and Jurassic Coast Trust.

Monday, 14 March 2016

Troubadours Come to Town. Wildwood Jack to play at St Anne's Arts and Community Centre in Barnstaple

The travelling acoustic guitar and ukulele duo Wildwood Jack will be playing at St Anne's Arts and Community Centre in Barnstaple on Tuesday 22nd March as part of their UK tour.

Described by Netrythms as “genuinely uplifting” with “intensely adept acoustic guitar stylings” the duo showcase a unique blend of fingerstyle guitar and ukulele that draws influences from folk, country and world music. Over the last two years they've played as far afield as Bangkok, Hanoi and New Zealand. European dates have taken them from street festivals in Croatia, Germany and Italy to a circus tent in Austria as well as two tours of Denmark.

Adam says “'Wildwood Jack' is our name for the independent spirit of music that knows no boundaries and that's very much reflected in both our music and our troubadour lifestyle”.

Their sound has been described as a mix of Paul Simon, Ry Cooder and Nanci Griffiths and their wide repertoire draws from an eclectic songbook as well as instrumentals and original songs.

Tickets are £6 and available from the Heritage Centre shop on the Strand in Barnstaple or from 01271 373003. Also online with a small booking fee www.ticketsource.co.uk/StAnnesArtsCentre

Wildwood Jack come to St. Anne's Arts Centre, Barnstaple
Wildwood Jack,
St Annes Arts and Community Centre 
Paternoster Row, Barnstaple EX31 1SX 
Tuesday 22nd March
----------------
Wildwood Jack
Inventive Acoustic Folk and Roots
"Engaging, uplifting and filled with memorable melodies and clever hooks" R2 Magazine
www.wildwoodjack.com
www.twitter.com/wildwoodjack
www.facebook.com/wildwoodjack

Friday, 11 March 2016

Funding for community projects.

If you’re looking to get a community project off the ground, the North Devon Coast AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) is now open to applications for grant funding. 

A total of £25,000 is available this financial year, with up to a £5,000 grant for individual projects. The priority themes for this year are for projects which will help provide a greater understanding and knowledge of the coastal and inland geology of the North Devon AONB and its biodiversity, including all wildlife, plants and habitats. In addition to this, other projects which meet the priorities of the AONB Management Plan 2014/19 are also very welcome. 

The North Devon Coast AONB Sustainable Development Fund is a regional grants scheme, funded by Defra for projects of all sizes. It is available to individuals, charities, community groups and businesses that have a project idea that will improve or benefit the North Devon Coast AONB both now and in the future. 

Over the last few years, the SDF has helped fund a variety of projects including the installation of solar panels on a community centre, a cycle/recycle scheme, a Bioblitz, coastal educational opportunities for schools and the ‘Glorious Oyster’ seafood shack, recently nominated as a finalist for BBC Food and Farming Award. 

“SDF grants enable the AONB to support community projects which have a positive and direct local impact, and which meet local needs” said Terry Green, SDF Panel Chairman. “The fund aims to encourage and support community based projects with particular focus on the environment, community and/or local economy. This year we hope once again that SDF funding will provide the financial stimulus without which worthwhile and deserving projects might not get off the ground.” 

You do not have to live or work within the AONB to be eligible for the SDF grant, but you will need to be able to demonstrate that your project will have a positive impact within the North Devon Coast AONB. There is a short application form for grants up to £500, and a full application for projects requesting over £500, which must also provide match funding of cash or in-kind contributions. Applications are invited from now until December 2016 with spend and project delivery completed by the end of January 2017. 

For guidance and application forms:
Or contact: 
Gigha Klinkenborg on 01271 388647 or gigha.klinkenborg@devon.gov.uk
North Devon Coast AONB
The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) supports projects that bring environmental, social and economic benefits to the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The fund aims to support projects which develop and test new methods of achieving a more sustainable way of life in this area of great beauty and diversity. North Devon receives this money from Defra because this area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 
 This spectacular coastal area, which covers some 66 square miles from the boundary of Exmoor National Park at Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth on the Cornish border, was designated as an AONB in 1959
 Further information about the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty can be found on www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk or www.explorethecoast.org