Out and About Autumn

Late October through November is a wonderful time for capturing those autumnal colours in North Devon. What artist or earnest photographer or snapper isn't inspired by nature at this time and one of our favourite walks, come rain or shine, is around Rosemoor Garden. No matter what season there is always something to catch my eye and last week I concentrated on the majestic trees, capturing the foliage before the high winds or as is so common nowadays another named Storm or Hurricane rolls in. I think Oscar was the last one or was it Callum. Last year at this time we braced for Hurricane Ophelia, amazingly the Met Office UK Storm Centre now has an A-Z of storm names.  

The RHS Garden Rosemoor is in a particularly sheltered spot surrounded by over one hundred acres of woodland so as well as the formal gardens there are upper and lower woodland trails to explore. Here are just a few of the vibrant specimens that caught my eye. I particularly like the Chinese Cedar (Toona sinensis) aka Bastard Cedar down by the Lake, the Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) in the Bicentenary Arboretum, the impressive Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) by Rosemoor House and best of all the glorious Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum) on Lady Anne's drive. According to Rosemoor's Curator, Jon, this tree, planted by Lady Anne Berry in a bed bordering the main lawn, is about forty years old and pre-dates the RHS at Rosemoor. There was once a large pond here which the RHS filled in when they created the new lake on the other side of the garden in 1992, the tree still sits in a very wet spot which it enjoys as being a swamp cypress likes to have its feet in water. (Article Pat Adams - with thanks to Sally and Jon for help with Tree ID's)

 

Shades of Autumn

Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)

Shades of Autumn

Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
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All articles and photos copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus (All rights reserved) 

Oyez, Oyez.Oyez. Heanton Nursing Home Celebrates OUTSTANDING rating

Over 100 local people including the Town Crier of Ilfracombe, Roy Goodwin, and his wife, Bea, joined the team at Heanton Nursing home to celebrate their success at being rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
 

Heanton Nursing Home, the 51-bed, specialist dementia nursing and care home near Barnstaple, received this highest rating following a rigorous two-day inspection by five inspectors. They concluded that “People received outstanding care and were supported to have the best quality of life possible.” Less than 2% of all the homes inspected in England achieve the Outstanding rating.
 

The guests who came to the party on Sunday 7th October, were treated to a hog roast and lots of home-made treats prepared by Heanton’s chefs. The event was a family affair and children were entertained with face painting, a bouncy castle and a bucking rodeo bull ride.
 

The manager of Heanton, Paula Mascall, said “We strive hard to make the lives of those living with us, the best possible. It is so important that people living in a home maintain their links to the community. Heanton prides itself on providing a bespoke service by familiarising ourselves with all the family members’ preferences which we obtain by taking individual life histories. I want to pass my thanks and congratulations onto the incredible care team who work so hard every day and night”.
 

Heanton nursing home is part of the Evolve Care Group, which operates 12 nursing and care homes across the South West. This is their second home to receive CQC’s outstanding rating in as many months. Their first was their Sundial Care Home, near Sidmouth. CEO, Preyen Dewani, a former National Care Entrepreneur of the Year winner, said “Our Evolve Model of care was developed by our team of specialists who researched practices in Australia and America, and we are delighted to be celebrating the results of it, here today.”
 

Evolve Care Group has developed its own bespoke training course that educates people living and working with dementia on the latest thinking and techniques. A number of free places on the course are available to people from the local community. Anyone interested should contact Rebecca on 0117 938 7747.

It is estimated that by 2030 the number of people living with dementia will increase by 61%. The independent charity, King’s Fund say that the cost of supporting those living with the condition is also set to rise to £24 billion by 2026. The Evolve Care Group has a number of subsidised care places for local residents. Further information can be obtained by calling the number above

Ilfracombe’s  Town Cryer, Roy Goodwin and his wife Bea Goodwin with Evolve Group CEO, Preyen Dewani

  Ilfracombe’s Town Cryer, Roy Goodwin, with his wife Bea Goodwin

Bursting with life. A country walk on the North Devon Coast

I love it when the sun breaks through the trees. I always try to capture a sunburst and I try even harder not to look into the sun to do it.

It was as warm as a Summer's day on the North Devon Coast today. I think it may have made it into the record books as one of the hottest October days for some time. 

As I wandered down the track towards the coast there was a lot of leaf fall, not much fall colour. The old Beech leaves are still green, I normally wait until November for the leaves to turn. Looks as though the National Trust have been working hard mowing the coastal meadows and clearing up the Bracken. The old Apple Tree must have weighed heavy with apples, lots of juicy red ones now lying on the ground important for birds, bugs and wildlife stocking up for the winter. The newly renovated orchard now has a seat and will make a magical resting place for tired walkers. I miss the flowering then berry-filled Hawthorn but the plus side of losing that will be the sight of apple blossom in the years to come.

There was one huge fungi on the trunk of one of the old Beech trees last year, this year they are climbing up the trunk, mycelium at its best or worst if they are damaging the tree.

It was really hot on the coast path overlooking Bideford Bay and there were a few wildflowers still blooming beside the track. Devil's Bit Scabious, Red Campion, Fumitory, Autumn Hawkbit, Hawkweed and Yarrow. A few solitary bees but my attention was taken by a movement on the Yarrow,  a wonderfully fluttery teeny butterfly, a Small Copper. I watched the other day as a pair were dancing together in ,the permaculture garden at Tapeley. A fleeting moment, then it was gone, much like the Sunburst. (Article Pat Adams 10/10/2018)

 

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