Name that beaver!

A Devon-based conservation charity is looking for help from the public to suggest names for its new beaver mascot.

The beaver in question is a human-sized beaver costume made to promote the work of Devon Wildlife Trust with England's only known wild beaver population on the River Otter in East Devon. The costume, which has striking teeth and tail has been produced with support from South Devon-based Cofton Country Holidays, which is itself a David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme Gold award winner.

Speaking for Devon Wildlife Trust Steve Hussey said:

"We wanted a beaver mascot to help us raise the profile of the River Otter Beaver Trial and its vital work. When Cofton Country Holidays generously stepped in to help us we were delighted." "We hope that lots of people will get to see the mascot and learn about the project. His/her first outing was at this year's County Show, after that he/she will be seen around the county at events."

"We're really pleased with the mascot costume and have a number of staff, volunteers and helpers from Cofton Country Holidays who have said they are happy to wear it. Now all that is lacking is a name. That's why we're now asking the public to help us name that beaver!"

Mellony Kirby, Director at Cofton Country Holidays commented:

"Conservation is very close to our hearts. We work hard to provide guests with a rich environment in which to observe wildlife here at Cofton. Over the years Devon Wildlife Trust has advised us on our nature trails, which take visitors through parkland and woodland to Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve, and so for us the opportunity to raise the profile of the Trust's work to encourage a wild beaver population on the River Otter seemed too good an opportunity to miss. 

"We're looking forward to hosting the River Otter beaver mascot throughout the spring and summer when Devon Wildlife Trust will be joining us here at Cofton for pond dipping days, giving kids the chance to discovering wildlife in the water alongside supervised activities." 

The beaver mascot's first appearance was at this year's Devon County Show. People who want to suggest a beaver name can do so by visiting the Devon Wildlife Trust stand. Devon Wildlife Trust is also inviting people get in touch via Twitter using @DevonWildlife with their beaver name suggestions. 

Steve Hussey said: 

"We're looking for an imaginative beaver name. After the recent Boaty McBoatface debacle we've chosen not to run this name selection as a vote. Instead we are reserving the right to choose the winner and it won't be Beaver McBeaverface or anything that doesn't represent the correct tone for our work for wildlife!" 

 

The beaver outfit being modelled at Cofton Country Holidays

 Mellony Kirby, director of Cofton Country Holidays, the River Otter Beaver Trial mascot, Helen Scott, director of Cofton Country Holidays, and Mike Elsey, Corporate Support Officer for Devon Wildlife Trust.

Community Event to collect North Devon Glove Maker’s Stories for Short Film Series

The Burton Art Gallery & Museum will be hosting a free event to collect stories about the glove industry in north Devon for a new series of short films. Glove Stories is the latest project from community film makers North Devon Moving Image to collect and preserve valuable first hand accounts of life in north Devon.

Gloving was an important industry for centuries with factories in Appledore, Bideford, Great Torrington and Pilton in Barnstaple as well being a source of income for many home workers. The industry came to an end in 2006 when the last factory closed its doors for the final time.

Terry Priscott a former glove worker who runs the The North Devon Glove Industry History Page on Facebook says

"It was once North Devon's biggest employer. If you are local to the area, particularly Great Torrington, it is highly likely that some of your ancestors worked in the glove industry! Gloving is an important part of north Devon's heritage but there are currently no books or other information available on it."

NDMI's Glove Stories project aims to set this right by recording personal reminiscences from those who were associated with north Devon's glove industry and use them to produce a series of short films. The films will be free to watch via NDMI's website and at The Burton Art Gallery & Museum. There will also be a screeening of the series at White Moose Gallery in Barnstaple to complement the Hand to Hand exhibition by local artist Sue on 14 July. 

Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of North Devon Moving Image says 

"We are inviting people to come along to the Burton on Saturday 2 July to share their Glove Stories either by interview on camera or by writing anecdotes on our Glove Stories memory cards. It would be great to see some old photographs and artefacts too." 

 Photos show images recorded at Great Torrington Museum. 

The event runs to coincide with Bideford Heritage Day on Saturday 2 July from 10am to 4pm  at The Burton Art Gallery and Museum Kingsley Road,  Bideford, Devon EX39 2QQ.

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For more information or to offer help volunteering on the day please contact Amanda McCormack on 01271 860610 or email northdevonmovingimage@outlook.com. 

This community project has been made possible with funding from The Bideford Bridge Trust and Torridge Councillor Peter Christie.  

Orchestra goes wild for charity

A Devon-based orchestra has left its usual habitat of rehearsal studios and concert halls behind to take part in a very different kind of photoshoot promoting its latest concert.

Members of the Exeter Symphony Orchestra recently went wild to promote 'A Concert for Wildlife' which takes place at 7.30pm on Saturday 16th July at Exeter Cathedral. The concert, which is being generously supported by South West Water, aims to raise funds for the charity Devon Wildlife Trust. It seemed only natural to the organisers that the musicians should pose with their instruments in the great outdoors at the Trust's Bystock Pools nature reserve, near Budleigh Salterton. In full concert dress, members of the orchestra took part in the promotional photoshoot against a backdrop of gorse, heather and bird song.

Mike Elsey of Devon Wildlife Trust is organising 'A Concert for Wildlife' and explained:

"We want the event to bring together the beauty of classical music with the beauty of Devon, its wild places and wildlife. The idea for the photoshoot came from this. The concert's aim is to raise funds to allow Devon Wildlife Trust to continue to care for its 50 nature reserves. So what could be better than taking the musicians to one of them, the wonderfully wild Bystock nature reserve?"

It was a new experience for the musicians. Miles Leonard, Chairman of Exeter Symphony Orchestra said:

"It certainly was a beautiful and surreal morning we all spent at Bystock Pools having the portraits taken by photographer, Matt Austin! As well as putting on our own concerts, we're also really keen to engage with the wider community, so it's great to be involved with Devon Wildlife Trust, following on from recent successful projects with ABF - The Soldiers Charity and Da Capo Youth Ensemble."

For this special concert the Exeter Symphony Orchestra will be featuring the international violinist, Tamsin Waley-Cohen. The musical programme of well known, popular pieces has been specially chosen because of their strong links to nature.

The programme will include The Wasps Overture, by Ralph Vaughan Williams; Violin Concerto, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, by Benjamin Britten; The Overture from Die Fledermaus, by Johann Strauss; On Hearing the first Cuckoo in Spring, by Frederick Delius; Prélude a L'aprés midi d'un Faune, by Claude Debussy; and Tintagel, by Arnold Bax.

The Chief Executive of Devon Wildlife Trust Harry Barton said:

"I'm delighted that the Exeter Symphony Orchestra has agreed to perform a fundraising concert for us and at such a wonderful venue as Exeter Cathedral. Devon's exceptional wildlife brings colour, beauty and wonder to our lives. The musical programme includes some of my personal favourites, and is a reminder of how many of the greatest pieces of music ever written have been inspired by nature. It promises to be a fabulous evening."

A Concert for Wildlife is one of a spring and summer calendar of events being organised by Devon Wildlife Trust designed to showcase local nature. The events are being generously supported by South West Water and also include: ·

• Wembury Marine Centre Schools Education Programme - South West Water's support will ensure that 50 schools and more than 2,000 school children are able to visit Wembury Marine Centre and learn about the incredible local coastal wildlife. · 

• Bystock Discovery Day - Tuesday 26 July . This wonderful East Devon nature reserve (near Exmouth) opens its doors and its wildlife secrets to the public. Supported by South West Water. 

Alan Hyde, Head of Communications at South West Water, said: "Our partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust is about protecting the environment and supporting schools and communities to learn about and get involved in the natural world around them. This inspired concert celebrates the sights and sounds of wildlife with a selection of musical masterpieces. It should be a great occasion."

Miranda Krestovnikoff, television presenter of Coast, The One Show and Inside Out is also involved in the Concert for Wildlife event: 

"As a musician and one who is passionate about wildlife, this evening combines two of the most important aspects of my life and I am delighted to be there with my family to support it. Prélude a L'aprés midi d'un Faune by Debussy is one of my all-time favourite orchestral pieces - being a flautist myself, I have played that haunting solo many time but it still never ceases to move me. The wildlife-related programme will be popular for nature lovers and music enthusiasts alike and I hope this event will be a great fundraiser for Devon Wildlife Trust."

 Julia Iddon - violinist, Exeter Symphony Orchestra - Photo copyright Matt Austin (All rights reserved)

 Soloist Tamsin Waley-Cohen - Photo copyright Patrick Allen (All rights reserved)

Garry Lester - double bassist, Exeter Symphony Orchestra - Photo copyright Matt Austin (All rights reserved)

 

Miranda Krestovnikoff - Photo copyright Epic Photography (All rights reserved)

Sophie Brewer - flautist, Exeter Symphony Orchestra - Photo copyright Matt Austin (All rights reserved)

Tickets for 'A Concert for Wildlife' which takes place at Exeter Cathedral at 7.30pm on Saturday 16th July are priced from £12 and are available 

online at www.exeter-cathedral.cloudvenue.co.uk/aconcertforwildlife 

or by calling 01392 285983

In addition to South West Water, other sponsors and partners include Tozers, Nissan Exeter, Active Devon and Devon Life.