Charity and fire service team warn of wild fire threat

The threat of wild fires may seem like a long way off after a typically wet Bank  Holiday weekend but a leading wildlife charity is now joining forces with an emergency fire service to warn of the rising risks that fire is posing to some of the region's most treasured landscapes.

Despite rain over the Bank Holiday the South West still finds itself in the middle of a prolonged dry spell which has left parts of the countryside vulnerable to wild fires. With the long range weather forecast predicting little prospect of rain Devon
 

Wildlife Trust has become concerned enough about the risk affecting its nature reserves that it has now teamed up with Devon & Somerset Fire Rescue Service to promote a message about safe and responsible use of rural areas.
 

The warning comes after a devastating fire struck East Devon's Woodbury Common on 23 April. 120 acres of the heathland beauty-spot owned by Clinton Devon Estates were badly burned in a fire which began on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
 

Steve Hussey from Devon Wildlife Trust said:
"Wild fires can be devastating for wildlife, as well as potentially dangerous for people and damaging to farmland. Heathlands, with their coverings of gorse and grasses, are particularly vulnerable when the weather remains dry for several weeks. Having experienced a couple of months without significant rainfall, even though the weather has been cold, parts of our countryside are now at risk."

Devon Wildlife Trust is asking people to take care on all its 50 nature reserves but especially on its heathland sites which include Chudleigh Knighton Heath and Bovey Heathfield nature reserves near Bovey Tracey, and Venn Ottery and Bystock nature reserves in East Devon.
 

The charity is now working with Devon & Somerset Fire Service to promote a message which asks people to use the countryside responsibly while also being vigilant.

Joe Hassell, Area Manager of Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: "We want people to be able to enjoy the countryside, but ask them to be vigilant during drier weather to help prevent more gorse fires in the future. A change in wind direction can cause the fire to spread rapidly, putting fire fighters at risk as well as nearby people and property."
 

The fire service is advising people to some simple advice:

• extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly;
• never throw cigarette ends out of car windows;
• don't leave bottles or glass in the countryside - sunlight shining through glass can start fires; take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin;
• avoid using open fires (including barbeques) in the countryside;
• if you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately;
• don't attempt to tackle fires that can't be put out with a bucket of water - leave the area as quickly as possible and call 999.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Steve Hussey concluded:
"We are doing our bit to protect our wonderful countryside from the risk of fire. Our staff and volunteers are remaining vigilant and cutting fire breaks, especially on vulnerable grassland, heathland and moorland sites. But with 50 nature reserves in Devon we have a lot of ground to cover. That's why the public's help is so important. What we're asking people to do is follow the good advice of the Devon &

Somerset Fire Rescue Service."
In 2011, a large wild fire destroyed a third of Dorset Wildlife Trust's Upton Heath nature reserve near Wareham killing many rare plants and animals. It's estimated that it can take up to ten years before habitats and their wildlife are able to recover.

A small heathland fire in Devon - Photo copyright Devon Wildlife Trust (All rights reserved)

Step Back in Time. An opportunity to meet seven Devon authors in the Cabin at Bucks Mills

Nestled at the bottom of the hill in the little fishing hamlet of Bucks Mills, lies The Cabin. This two-roomed hut began life as a fisherman’s store before being acquired by Judith Ackland’s family. Together with her friend Mary Stella Edwards, Judith used the building as an artists’ retreat for half a century. The solitude and spectacular views across the rugged North Devon coastline make it ideal for those seeking inspiration. Now in the care of the National Trust, the Cabin is almost exactly as the artists left it in 1971.

From 29th April–1st May, it will once again be a setting that encourages creative talents to flourish. Between 10.00am and 4.00pm, seven Devon authors will take it in turns to use the cabin and its wonderful surroundings as their muse. The work of all these writers is rooted the past, in the local landscape, or both. They look forward to discussing their work, both past and forthcoming and signing copies of their books. This will be a unique opportunity, not only to view inside The Cabin, which is rarely open to the public but also to talk to enthusiastic and friendly authors about their writing.

The Authors in the Cabin are:

• Ruth Downie writes crime novels set in Roman times. Ruth’s book Medicus has recently attracted a ‘Discovered Diamond’ award for historical fiction. https://ruthdownie.com/

• Janet Few is an author of local, social and family history books, including a history of Bucks Mills Who Lived in Cottages like These?: the inhabitants of Bucks Mills. She is now working on an historical novel set in North Devon. https://thehistoryinterpreter.wordpress.com

• Susan Hughes writes books set in the first half of the twentieth century. Her debut novel A Kiss from France won several awards. She is now writing her second book. http://susanhughes.net/

• Wendy Percival is the author of mystery novels set in North Devon and recently published a novella featuring her genealogist sleuth, Esme Quentin, entitled Death of a Cuckoo. www.wendypercival.co.uk

• P J Reed is a poet and author who writes of the beauty and ethereal nature of the changing countryside. Her latest anthology Flicker was published last month. http://pjreedwriting.jigsy.com

• Liz Shakespeare’s books are inspired by the people, history and landscapes of Devon. Her latest novel The Postman Poet, which was launched last month, is based on the true story of Edward Capern who composed poems and songs whilst delivering letters in Victorian North Devon. http://www.lizshakespeare.co.uk

• Pamela Vass writes North Devon based fiction and social history. Her novel Seeds of Doubt debates whether the Lynmouth floods of 1952 were an Act of God or the Act of Man. www.boundstonebooks.co.uk

Tap here for North Devon Focus on the village of Bucks Mills

Return of the Swallows, Bluebells and Blossom.

Enjoyed a relaxing weekend watching the natural world as it stirs from a cold winter. A refreshing walk on the beach at Wesward Ho! on Saturday revealed no wrecks but three huge jellyfish on the strandline. Portugeuse Man of War, I think - still waiting for confirmation from the Marine Conservation Society.

The 23^rd April marked the arrival of the Swallows or the advanced party as I like to call it. One lone Swallow swooping low across the field as though it was celebrating St. George’s Day. 

Two devoted Goldfinches are singing to each other and flitting across the garden and yesterday they were nest building stealing away the new leaves from the Willow. I like to think they are our regular visitors. Last year their tiny nest was located precariously atop the twisted Russian Vine, I am hoping to photograph them in the Apple Blossom so watch this space. Another vibrant visitor pecking at the blossom was a male Bullfinch followed by his much duller mate. The Doves are cooing in the Willow and the Wood Pigeons are cooing in the Spruce so all is well with the world once again. 

In my local ancient woodland the first of the Bluebells are up and uncurling together with the first of the flowering Ramsons. Cow Parsley, Alexanders, Early Purple Orchid, Red Campion, Greater Stitchwort, Dog Violet and Speedwell are sparse but more are to come and there are traces of colour from the new leaves on the old trees. It is so sheltered in this wooded valley that the ferns have been prevalent all through the winter, but new fronds are now unfurling and form a vivid green backdrop to the Bluebells.

Though slightly more formal, another sheltered location is RHS Garden Rosemoor. We joined the RHS last year, money well spent as it has enabled us to photograph Rosemoor in all its glory through the Seasons.  On our visit on Sunday we took several shots of the Apple and Cherry Blossom and Rhododendrons. The Tulips were big bright and beautiful  at the entrance and the RHS National Rhododendron Competition was running in the newly built Exhibition Centre. This National Show has over 60 classes covering all types of Rhododendrons, as well as trade and advice stands plus magnificent displays of Magnolias and Camellias too. The Rosemoor Exhibition Centre will be officially opened soon.

 FOOTNOTE

The old bridge by the pink Cottage at Peppercombe has had a bit of a battering over the past couple of years. Holidaymakers staying at the cottages, associated service vehicles who knows, it used to be traffic-free here. I don’t normally vent but stupid, inconsiderate drivers are ruining some of Devon’s historic bridges. Huge 4x4’s amongst other non-country road friendly vehicles are continually clipping the ancient stones causing structural damage. SLOW DOWN PLEASE. These bridges are in most cases “Listed” by English Heritage. Some years ago we volunteered for the Images of England project, photographing listed buildings throughout Devon

Images of England is a ‘point in time’ photographic library of England’s listed buildings, recorded at the turn of the 21st century. You can view over 300,000 images of England’s built heritage from lamp posts to lavatories, phone boxes to toll booths, mile stones to gravestones, as well as thousands of bridges, historic houses and churches. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/default.aspx