July Highlights, A celebration of North Devon Coast and Countryside events

As if ‪Clovelly‬ couldn’t get any more colourful, expect to be wowed this July as the famous picturesque fishing village is “Yarn-Bombed”. Knit one, purl one down along the cobbled streets to the ancient quay, discover the bright and beautiful ‘cobble cosies’, knitted donkeys, seaside garlands and more. There’s a pattern here as that ‘tight-knit’ community of Clovelly Village residents have been busy preparing this ‘blooming’ lovely project with the help of people from all over the UK & abroad. There is even a life-sized model of the Queen watching over proceedings.

Clovelly Yarn Bomb 2016 is part of the village’s entry to the ‪Britain in Bloom‬ competition and is in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. Don’t forget the Clovelly Maritime Festival in aid of the North Devon Hospice is on 17th July so expect plenty of crafty fun for the kids, lots of fishy treats, a pirate or two, maybe a few mermaids and with a top crew of shanty singers aboard it’s bound to be a lively day out. The ‪‎Clovelly Gun Run‬ starts the event. You can cheer on the two teams of cadets from the 326 (Hartland) Squadron ATC as they heave away, haul away that weighty gun from the harbour to the Victoria Fountain. July is also time for a dramatic entrance to North Devon. Stage left for the outdoor theatre season at Hartland Abbey.

Over at the Big Sheep, Abbotsham the FUNdraising never stops. There's a Nearly New Baby and Toddler sale to help raise money for Friends of St Helen's School. On Purple Day, the BIG Sheep flock will be donning their purple clothes, wigs and anything else purple, if you're wearing purple, they'll donate £1 of your entry fee to the The Special Care Baby Unit at Barnstaple Hospital. This is followed by an evening of live music and fun for all the family FOSHfest organised by and raising funds for the Friends of St Helen's School in Abbotsham.

Finally, one of the most colourful tableaux of the year, Woolsery Agricultural Show and the Lundy Gig Row from Clovelly will bring the July highlights to a close. Scroll down for event details.

 The Pirates of  St. Piran just one of the acts performing at Clovelly Maritime Festival 2015

Punch and Judy at Clovelly Maritime Festival 2015 - Photo copyright Pat Adams

1st - 31st July Yarn-Bombing at Clovelly- Discover yarn-bombed areas throughout Clovelly. The village will look even more colourful with knitted donkeys, seaside garlands and crocheted 'cobble-cosies' plus much more. This unusual project is part of Clovelly's entry to the Britain in Bloom competition and is in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. Visit site for details
Sunday 3rd July Nearly New Baby and Toddler sale on at the Big Sheep from 10:30am until 2pm to help raise money for Friends of St Helen's School.  Visit site for details
Friday 8th July Purple Day. The BIG Sheep flock will be donning their purple clothes, wigs and anything else purple to help raise money for The Special Care Baby Unit Visit us them on Friday 8th July wearing purple and they'll donate £1 of your entry fee to the The Special Care Baby Unit at Barnstaple Hospital Visit site for details
Friday 8th July FOSHfest at the Big Sheep. FOSHfest organised by Friends of St Helen's School in Abbotsham. An evening of fun for all the family with LIVE music from :The Horse Band, Yazzy, Oscar Young, Chloe and Charlotte.There will also be Food available, and family fun with Bouncy Castle and Sumo Suits. Raffle prizes include Tickets to The BIG Sheep, Eden Project, Woodlands Diggerland, Quince Honey Farm & Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park. Raising funds for Friends of St Helen's School. Sponsored by Phatdog Events and Roberts & Clarke Tattoo Studio Visit site for details
17th July Clovelly Maritime Festival in aid of the N. Devon Hospice. The day will be full of fun and packed with a programme of all sorts of activities and entertainment for all ages. The 'Clovelly Gun Run' starts the event from the harbour to Victoria Fountain. Two teams will take it in turn to manhandle this weighty gun. Come along and support the cadets as they try to beat their race time last year. It really is an amazing sight of hard work and dedication! Then there'll be lively music, street entertainment, crafty creations, sea story telling, puppet shows and family activities. On the quay, there'll be seafood kitchens and a range of food and art & craft stalls. Free entry for under 16s if they come dressed as a pirate, mermaid, salty sea dog or fish wife. Under 7s have free entry anyway, but we would love it if they come dressed up too. So do come along and enjoy this fun-packed day out in support of the North Devon Hospice. Standard admission charges include all entertainment. Visit site for details
Sunday 17th July The BIG Sheep Majorettes Competition! Visit site for full details  
Thursday 28th July Gullivers Travels performed by The Pantaloons. 5pm. Hartland Abbey, Hartland Nr. Bideford, N. Devon EX39 6DT www.hartlandabbey.com
Set against the backdrop of this wonderful historic house, steeped in the history of North Devon, enjoy a night out under the stars! There is no need to bring a picnic unless you would like to as there will be refreshments, ice creams, a bar, and Mr. Crackling's delicious barbecue. Cream teas too in the Old Kitchen Tea Rooms. Grounds open free to those attending the performance 1 hour before their start. Bring rugs/low backed seating. Tickets: Full £13; Concession £11, Supporters/families with children under 18 £9 each: Please contact the Plough Arts Centre booking office on 01805 624624 or visit their website: www.theploughartscentre.org.uk
25th July Woolsery Agricultural Show Summer in North Devon would not be complete without a visit to this ever popular show. Classes include crafts, cattle and sheep, together with horse and pony competitions. There will be a Dairy Marquee with displays such as yoghurt and ice cream making and the chance for children to "milk a cow" along with competitions. You'll find bustling trade stalls offering locally made crafts and food with fairground rides and a bouncy castle for the children. There'll also be a family dog show, a display of hounds, the Young Farmers' "It's a knockout" and to finish the day, a parade of vintage farm machinery. It's a great summer day out for all the family! A separate admission charge applies. Visit site for details

Tuesday 26th July DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD by Roald Dahl, performed by Illyria. 5pm Hartland Abbey, Hartland nr. Bideford, N. Devon EX39 6DT www.hartlandabbey.com (with a Drama workshop for 5-11 year olds from 3.45 - 4.30pm - £3)
Set against the backdrop of this wonderful historic house, steeped in the history of North Devon, enjoy a night out under the stars! There is no need to bring a picnic unless you would like to as there will be refreshments, ice creams, a bar, and Mr. Crackling's delicious barbecue. Cream teas too. Grounds open free to those attending the performance 1 hour before their start. Bring rugs/low backed seating. Tickets: Full £13; Concession £11, Supporters/families with children under 18 £9 each. Please contact the Plough Arts Centre booking office on 01805 624624 or visit their website: www.theploughartscentre.org.uk
Thursday 28th July FAMILY ARTS AFTERNOON with The Plough Artists. 2-4.30pm Hartland Abbey, Hartland nr. Bideford, N. Devon EX39 6DT. Tel: 01237 441496 www.hartlandabbey.com
Drama, kite making, willow weaving, story-telling, character treasure hunt, wacky races and more… £2.50 per person.
30th July Lundy Gig Row from Clovelly Gig racing is exciting and strenuous, with crews reaching speeds of nine knots in North Devon's powerful tidal waters. You're assured and exhilarating day's racing.So come along and cheer on the brave crews! Normal admission charges apply, please consult www.clovelly.co.uk for details
For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  
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 North Devon Tourist Information Centres
Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, North Devon Museum, The Square, Barnstaple, EX32 9LS Tel: 01271 375000
Bideford Tourist Information Centre, Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road, Bideford, EX39 2QQ Tel: 01237 477676
Braunton Tourist Information Centre The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, EX33 1AA Tel: 01271 816688
Combe Martin Tourist Information Centre Cross Street, Combe Martin, EX34 ODH Tel: 01271 889031
Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre Ruby Country, Holsworthy Manor Car Park, Holsworthy EX22 6DJ Tel: 01409 254 185
Torrington Tourist Information Centre, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington Tel: 01805 626140
lfracombe Tourist Information Centre The Landmark Theatre, The Seafront, Ilfracombe, EX34 9BX Tel: 01271 863 001
Lynton & Lynmouth Tourist Information Centre Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, EX35 6HT Tel: 01598 752225
Lynmouth National Park Centre, The Pavilion, The Esplanade, Lynmouth, EX35 6EQ Tel: 01598 752509
South Molton Tourist Information Centre 1 East Street, South Molton, EX36 3BU Tel: 01769 574122
Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre The Esplanade, Woolacombe, EX34 7DL Tel: 01271 870553
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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)

Are you up for a South West Coast Path Challenge?

Take part in the South West Coast Path Challenge this October to break the world record for the number of times we can walk or run the Path in one month! CREATE your own Challenge or JOIN an organised Challenge to raise funds for Path repairs and improvements. 

South West Coast Path Challenge 1st October-29th October 2016
Organised Event Locations and dates:

• Minehead – Saturday 1st October
• East Portlemouth – Sunday 2nd October
• Kingswear – Friday 14th October
• Swanage – Saturday 29th October 

Event Size: 30 and up (this refers to number on organised walks)

Price: £10 Organised Challenge
or Self-led Challenge, £40 Organised 17.5 Mile Trail Running Challenge

South West Coast Path Challenge

to raise funds for Path repairs and improvements

1st October-29th October 2016

Contact 
Telephone: 01752 896237  
Email: challenge@southwestcoastpath.org.uk

Please check the website for further details and updates: www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/events/challenge

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South West Coast Path Association

7 Bowker House, Lee Mill Bridge, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 9EF, England

My Garden Today. Highlights on a rainy day

It's dull, it's raining again and BBC Springwatch is over for another year. I particularly liked the brave Blue Tit mum who took on the Great Tit chicks (it gets confusing this nature lark).  There was more violent scenes in this year's Springwatch than an episode of Peaky Blinders and that's saying something. The last chick standing took an age to haul itself out of the nest box but I hope he or she is off having a wonderful new adventure now.

There has been a flurry of activity in my garden today with another brood of Sparrow fledglings, the first batch was on the 31st May. Amazingly spotted four fledgling Blackbirds scurrying around below the Rhododendron with Mum on hand to dish out the grub. The Robin chick was first to explore the big wide world on the 14th May but I didn't see the first baby Blue Tits until 12th June. So cute, great balls of fluff rather like a new yellow tennis ball.

It's important for them all to find their own food and there are plenty of insects around to eat but Mums and Dads need to eat as much as they can after all their hard work so I have given them a choice of mealworm suet block, peanuts and dried mealworms mixed with pastry. It was comical to watch a baby Blue Tit trying to grapple with a peanut on the feeder, pushing it round and around in circles.

At this time of year there are lots of chicks grubbing around, Robins and Blackbirds for example don't fly straight away but scuttle through the undergrowth so take care when mowing the lawn or strimming (if you have to). The RSPB advise not cutting hedges and trees between March and August as this is the main breeding season for nesting birds. (Article P. Adams 17/6/2016)

 

 "Nice to feel the sun on my back"

RSPB Advice on Hedge Trimming

It is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. It will be an intentional act, for example, if you or your neighbour know there is an active nest in the hedge and still cut the hedge, damaging or destroying the nest in the process.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 

Countryside Hedgerows regulation and Management (The main nesting period: 1st March to 31st August) 

Catch up with BBC Springwatch from RSPB Minsmere 

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All photos copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus (All rights reserved)

North Devon Focus on Flickr

About RSPB Reserves located in North Devon  
Need help buying the right bird food? Use the RSPB 'Which bird food?' charts to help you decide

WGCCxxx