Local charity nominated for top BBC Countryfile award

Local conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust could be in line for a prestigious honour for its work with beavers.

The Trust has been nominated jointly with a similar project in Scotland in the 'Wildlife Success of the Year' category of the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2017. The nomination is recognition of the work being done by Devon Wildlife Trust with the beavers which are living on the River Otter in East Devon. The beavers are thought to be the first wild population in England for 400 years. The Trust is now hoping that people from across Devon, the South West and beyond will vote in the poll being organised by BBC Countryfile Magazine which will determine the winner.

The Trust's Steve Hussey said:

"We were delighted to hear the good news of the nomination. Now that public voting has opened we're urging all beaver supporters to get their votes in either on-line or via a copy of BBC Countryfile Magazine. If we can win it will show public support for these important and fascinating animals."

A breeding population of beavers was first discovered on the River Otter in 2014. No one knows how the beavers came to be living wild in East Devon. In 2015 Devon Wildlife Trust was granted a five-year licence from Natural England which allowed the beavers to remain after they were initially threatened with removal. The licence also allowed the charity to establish a project which will monitor the beavers until 2020 when a decision about their long term future is to be made by the government. The project involves several local partners including Clinton Devon Estates,

University of Exeter and the Derek Gow Consultancy.

Steve added:

"We're very proud to be leading the River Otter Beaver Trial. Beavers are remarkable animals which can add to the richness of our countryside's wildlife and play a part in improving water quality and even help guard against the worst effects of flooding. Beavers went extinct in the UK centuries ago, but now they are back in Devon they have certainly become celebrities attracting many hundreds of people hoping to see them."

Shortlisting for the BBC Wildlife Magazine Awards was done by a panel of judges which included Bill Bryson, John Craven and Anita Rani. The nomination draws attention to the beavers' long absence from the UK countryside and the historic work done with the animals both in Scotland and Devon.

The nomination reads:

"These riparian architects were hunted to extinction in Britain 400-500 years ago. Now, thanks to the success of a trial on the Knapdale Estate in Argyll, they've been given leave to stay and Government protection [in Scotland], making them the first mammals to be officially reintroduced to the UK landscape. In Devon, a wild breeding population is living on the River Otter and is being monitored by the Devon Wildlife Trust."

Other nominated projects in the same award category include conservation work done with dormice, cirl buntings, bumblebees and bitterns.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Steve Hussey added:

"All the projects nominated would be worthy winners, but there is something about beavers, the fact that they have been lost for so long and now are back which we feel gives them the edge. Being involved in the project, seeing the animals swimming in a Devon river has been such a thrill - it has meant being a part of an amazing chapter in our country's natural history. Surely that must be worth people's vote!"

People can vote in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2017 by going on-line and picking their winners at www.countryfile.com/awards or by filling out a simple form in the February edition of BBC Countryfile Magazine. The poll ends on 28th February 2017.

A mother and kits on the River Otter, East Devon. Photo copyright Mike Symes (All Rights Reserved)

Devon charity makes top appointment

An influential Devon conservation charity has announced the appointment of its new Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Dr Peta Foxall is taking over the role at Devon Wildlife Trust. She will head the charity's Board of Trustees, the body which determines the Trust's strategic direction. As with all the charity's trustee board members, Dr Foxall's position is an unpaid,voluntary one.

Dr Foxall brings a wide range of experience to the leadership role. Her background is in senior positions in the fields of education, science and health. She holds a PhD in biological chemistry and worked at Great Ormond Street Hospital before gaining a senior lectureship at the University of London. More recently, Peta was Professor and Director of Postgraduate Programmes at the University of Exeter Medical School and Chair of the School's research ethics committee.

In her personal life Dr Foxall describes herself as a "committed volunteer". She is a public governor of the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and works in her local community village shop. She also owns and manages an ancient woodland on the banks of the River Taw in Devon.

Dr Foxall will lead a 15 strong board of trustees for Devon Wildlife Trust which has more than 31,000 supporters. Its Chief Executive Harry Barton welcomed the news of her appointment:

"I'm delighted to welcome Peta Foxall to the role of Chair of Trustees. To be able to appoint someone of such experience and expertise is wonderful news for our charity.

Peta has been a Devon Wildlife Trust supporter since 2003 and has served as one of our trustees for six years, so she knows us well. We're looking forward to her sharing her broad experience of senior management with us. For an ambitious and growing charity such as ours her background in fields including health, education and the sciences will be a real plus."

Dr Foxall looked forward to her new role:

"I have worked with world-renowned hospitals and universities in London and Exeter and know that Devon Wildlife Trust has the same organisational integrity, commitment and courage as those centres of excellence. I am delighted to have the opportunity to translate my professional expertise to the role of Chair. I will focus on providing strategic leadership for the Board of Trustees as well as supporting (and occasionally challenging) the Chief Executive. Fostering an ethos of enjoyment in working together means we will have the insight, flexibility and strength to address the challenges and uncertainties that come our way as a wildlife charity."

Dr Peta Foxall steps into the role vacated by BBC filmmaker and well-known Devon naturalist Andrew Cooper who stepped down last autumn. It was a position that Andrew had occupied for 11 years.

Harry Barton paid tribute to Andrew Cooper:

"Andrew's legacy as Chair of our Trustees is a Devon Wildlife Trust which is doing more good work for local wildlife than ever before. Under his stewardship our supporters have grown to more than 31,000 people, our number of nature reserves has grown to 50, we are working with more landowners and farmers than ever before, and we have opened our first visitor attraction in the shape of Seaton Jurassic. It's a proud record to pass on."

Dr Foxall's appointment was confirmed at a recent meeting of Devon Wildlife Trust's trustees. She said:

"It is truly humbling to have been nominated by my fellow Trustees to be the Chair of Devon Wildlife Trust. Their endorsement means a lot to me because I value highly their tangible sense of responsibility to the Trust and collective knowledge and passion for wildlife and natural landscapes."

  Dr Peta Foxall, Chair of Trustees, Devon Wildlife Trust

Wille and the Bandits. New Album "Steal" available now. UK Tour Starts 20th January

Wille and the Bandits UK “Steal Tour” continues 20th January with a return visit to North Devon in March. If you missed them at The Factory, Barnstaple last October fans can catch up when they play at The Palladium, Bideford on the 18^th March. Other local gigs include:

• 20^th January -  Penzance, The Acorn 
• 21st January - Honiton, The Beehive 
• 29th January - Minehead, Giants of Rock 
• 2nd February - Bath, Chapel Arts 
• 4th February - Poole, Mr Kyps
• 17th March - Totnes, The Barrel House 

The new album “STEAL”, available to pre-order now, is the strongest sounding album yet from Wille and the Bandits. With three previous self-released albums, “New Breed” (2010), “Breakfree” (2012) and “Grow” (2013), the band have been building a reputation throughout the UK and Europe as one of the best live acts around, playing over 200 gigs a year. 

Among the artists they have shared festival stages with are Joe Bonamassa, Deep Purple, JJ Grey, Beth Hart and Wilko Johnson. The UK trio’s socially aware lyrics and multi-instrumentation makes for the most original and refreshing sound heard in years. 

Now signed to the Jigsaw label, the new album “STEAL” was produced and engineered by Dave Williams at The Grange Studios in Norfolk. It was tracked to analogue tape with the band live on the floor and without the use of any digital tools. The album sees the band deliver all the excitement and power of their electrifying live performances, while mixing it up with dynamic music choices, from hard to soft, electric to acoustic, a music roller coaster seldom achieved by recording artists these days. 

The band of Wille Edwards (Lead Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Electric Lap Steel, Weissenhorn and Dobro), Matt Brooks (Six String Electric Bass, Five String Double Bass, String Arrangements and Backing Vocals) and Andy Naumann (Drums and Percussion) are joined by Don Airey from Deep Purple (Hammond/Keyboards) for three tracks on the album.  In support of the new album "Steal", the band will be touring the UK & Europe throughout 2017.  In April they will be touring Australia, New Zealand and India.

 WILLE AND THE BANDITS – “STEAL”

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Who Said What about Wille and the Bandits
“Socially aware lyrics and planet hopping instrumentation makes for the most refreshing sound heard in ages”. CLASSIC ROCK

“This is Wille & the Bandits’ fourth album and it’s their strongest effort to date, with guitarist and vocalist Wille Edwards ably providing the six-string fireworks”. GUITARIST

“Wille’s playing remains a source of slide delight, with a crack rhythm section and Don Airey adding ethereal Hammond organ on a few tracks”. ACOUSTIC MAG.

“From the slide-driven Allmans influenced “Miles Away” to “1970” which sounds like Free, they play with a dynamic energy and have built an enviable live reputation”. UNCUT

“Steal” is a stunning album. The Bandits have taken blues-rock, dusted it off & freshened it up”. BUZZ MAG.

“This, their fourth album is strong enough to see them break through in a big way”. RHYTHM MAG.

“This phenomenal band produce intoxicating music that pulls you in, until you become drunk in the sound. The killer boisterous stadium rocker, ‘1970’ left a near full 100 Club breathless & stunned, in the nicest possible way”. BLUES IN BRITAIN

“It’s no surprise to me that these guys have been going down a storm on the festival circuit, with prestigious support slots with Joe Bonamassa and Deep Purple among others”. BLUES MATTERS

“Brilliant, there is so much good blues/rock around at the moment, not just Bonamassa.. 'Steal' is one of the best”. BEAT

“Wille and the Bandits sent campers home happy from the Great British R&B Festival - Rockin!” RECORD COLLECTOR

“One of the best up and comers that Britain has to offer in 2017, special talents and a hell of an album”. MUSIC-NEWS

“Wille is a superb slide player, I love what these guys are doing”. JOE BONAMASSA

“One of the best live acts in the country”. DAILY TELEGRAPH

“Love the soul in their music”. BOB HARRIS
“Easily the best support I can remember us playing with”. DEEP PURPLE