Clovelly Updates. "Traditional with a modern twist"

The further major renovations of the Red Lion Hotel, situated on the harbour wall at the historic village of Clovelly, looking across Bideford Bay, was completed at the end March 2019.

The reception area was refurbished using our much loved local Delabole slate as the flooring (admittedly Cornish – but we cannot have everything in Devon). The reception desk picks up on our maritime tradition, and behind, there is an enlarged map of Devon dating back to the 16th century, from the owning family's archives.

There is comfortable seating in both the reception area and the Residents Lounge where there is oak flooring and rugs to replace the carpet.

An oak staircase with an oar handrail leads down to the Harbour Bar and Snug Bar. Both Bars have been beautifully refurbished, whilst not losing their original character.

The design criteria has been "traditional with a modern twist", and follows the brief of extensive renovation of the Restaurant in 2017 and the Sail Loft accommodation in 2011.

 Refurbished Harbour Bar at the Red Lion Hotel  - "Traditional with a modern twist"

Refurbished Reception Area, Residents Lounge and Snug Bar at the Red Lion Hotel - "Traditional with a modern twist"

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www.clovelly.co.uk Tel: 01237 431237.

Clovelly features in BBC 2 series Britain in Bloom.

Episode two of the popular BBC 2 series "Britain in Bloom" focuses on residents of the picturesque fishing village of Clovelly, North Devon.

World-famous for its steep cobbled street where no traffic is allowed - instead, residents rely upon sledges to transport goods to their cottages. This programme will explore the particular challenges of gardening in Clovelly and the often creative ways that residents approach ‘Bloom’. Imagine the effort involved in getting materials such as gravel, decking, compost etc. to the cottages!

Presenter Chris Bavin spent time in the village, filming members of the Clovelly Community Gardening Group in the months leading up to and including the judging day - when esteemed RHS Judges visited to assess the groups efforts. Will the group be awarded gold?

Su Maddocks leads the Clovelly in Bloom project:

“With over 1600 communities entering Britain in Bloom each year, we were both surprised and thrilled to be chosen to be one of the 15 communities to be filmed for the 2nd series of the programme. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful village and the culmination of our year-round efforts.”

“Personally I am really excited to see if we have managed to share with the wider audience, the amazing impact Britain in Bloom has had on both our community and the proactive initiatives we are taking to care for our environment. I also hope it shows what great fun we had doing it!”

“In a busy tourist destination like ours it is all too easy to forget, when the place is full of tourists, that there is a community of people, who live here all year round and call it home. Britain in Bloom has encouraged us to want to make our village both look special and to look after our wildlife and environment, for us and not just for those who visit.”

Episode 2 was broadcast on 26th March 2019 - Catch up here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0003mx9

BBC Bloom: Su Maddocks, Dolly, Ann Jarvis, Chris Bavin, Ellie Jarvis - Children: Wilfie (5yrs), Sonny (9yrs). Photo copyright Ellie Jarvis (All Rights Reserved)

BBC Bloom Presenter Chris Bavin in Clovelly Harbour. Photo copyright Ellie Jarvis (All Rights Reserved)

 

BBC Bloom Presenter Chris Bavin and Su Maddocks who leads the Clovelly in Bloom Project. Photo copyright BBC (All Rights Reserved)

BBC Bloom Presenter Chris Bavin chats to Dolly. Photo copyright Ellie Jarvis (All Rights Reserved)

BBC Bloom Presenter Chris Bavin on a Clovelly fishing boat. Photo copyright BBC (All Rights Reserved)

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ABOUT BRITAIN IN BLOOM – The second series of BBC Two’s Britain in Bloom focuses on fifteen different communities as they prepare to enter the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious annual floral competition. Presented by Chris Bavin, each episode follows the journey of one community as they come together to prepare for Britain in Bloom right through to the all-important judging day itself.

Spring Highlights. Looking forward to March.

It was amazingly warm in the garden on Saturday and the birds were enjoying a splash around in the birdbath (any bowl will do). Starlings, Sparrows, the Blackbirds and Chaffinches taking turns for a Spring Preen. I heard the distinct twittering of a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch. The Starlings have been regular visitors in great numbers of late, sqawking away and flying in formation aloft, not quite a murmuration but close enough. Also noted the first Bumble Bee and the first Dandelion, spikes of the Bluebells and the first flowering Wood Anaemone

Sunday headed out for lunch at Rosemoor. On the way noticed the Blackthorn were flowering and had a quick glimpse of a Brimstone on the verge and a Buzzard high above us as we drove along the A386. Glorious sunny day, at last, in the garden awash with colour from Camellia, Crocus, Daffodils and Cherry Blossom, the roses, shrubs and trees ready to sprout into bud.

Plenty of bees out there taking advantage of the early flowering blossom. Also spotted 7 Brimstone and  1 Peacock Butterfly enjoying a warm outing. Plenty of birds too twittering, Robin, Blackbird, Bluetits and Goldfinch. 

Great to see the sunlight through the trees in the lower woodland and as we emerged an Egret was sunbathing across the lake. First time I have seen one here.

The North Devon Coast is wonderful in the Spring, walking while nature watching is great on this stretch of the South West Coast Path including Northam Burrows Country Park and Westward Ho!. In addition to RHS Garden Rosemoor, I recommend Victoria Park, Bideford, Clovelly Court, Hartland Abbey and Tapeley Park, Westleigh.

I have listed here the first events of the season at Clovelly and Hartland Abbey. Westward Ho! is fast becoming a top venue for live music, next up the Big Sound Soul Band “Soul Intention" at The Pier House. 

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5th March Clovelly Lentsherd - Free entry after 4.30 p.m.

Lentsherd (pronounced 'Lanshard') is an old Clovelly Shrove Tuesday custom, and the aim is to chase bad spirits away and drive the devil into the sea before Lent. At dusk children set off Down-a-long, dragging clattering tin cans, which are then tied together and thrown into the sea (later retrieved). We like to invite as many children as possible to take part in Lentsherd. Those taking part receive a free pancake to decorate with toppings in the Harbour Bar at the Red Lion. The Harbour bar also offers a lovely selection of bar food should the family like to have supper before leaving.

Sunday 17th March Daffodils & Spring Flower Sunday at Hartland Abbey. 11am-4pm EX39 6DT Contact: Tel: 01237 441496/441234

Friday 22^nd March Big Sound Soul Band Soul Intention. The very best of 60s soul classics at The Pier House, Westward Ho!.  Doors open 7pm - 8.30pm-11.00pm. Further information: Contact Terry Thorpe - soulintention.org Facebook @soulintentionsw

For more North Devon Events see North Devon Focus Community Calender -  North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle Facebook -  The Big Sheep - Burton Art Gallery -  The Plough Arts Centre -  Bideford Cinema 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