Dartmoor beauty spot wins lottery

Access to a Dartmoor beauty spot is set to see big improvements thanks to funding from the People's Postcode Lottery. Devon Wildlife Trust's Emsworthy Mire nature reserve is known to many Dartmoor visitors for its impressive carpet of bluebells which appear in May and June each year. The reserve covers 100 hectares of a shallow valley between Widecombe-in-the Moor and Haytor. Now, £10,000 from the People's Postcode Trust - a grant-giving charity, funded entirely by players of People's Postcode Lottery - is set to open up another side of the nature reserve.

As the name suggests, Emsworthy Mire is a wet place - much of it too wet to allow easy access for people. But this new funding will help to change this. Among the main changes secured by funding will be the installation of 130 metres of wooden boardwalk. The new walkways will allow visitors to tour the reserve without sinking in to knee-high mud. In other parts of the reserve easy-access gates are being provided, while new paths are to be cut through dense bracken.

To ensure that visitors know where to explore new way markers and entrance signage are also being introduced. It's the job of Devon Wildlife Trust's Jackie Gage to look after Emsworthy Mire for wildlife and people. Jackie said: 'Funding from the People's Postcode Lottery is a tremendous boost for this special corner of Dartmoor. Some parts of the site are well-known to walkers and day-trippers, but other parts, especially those that are very wet and boggy, have largely been off-limits to visitors. Now we hope to let people into see the butterflies, bog plants, birds and dragonflies that make this such a wonderful place.' However, the Trust is being careful to balance the needs of people with those of the precious moorland wildlife that lives at Emsworthy Mire. Jackie explained:

 'Despite the changes, we're making sure that there are enough parts of the nature reserve which will remain undisturbed by people. The new boardwalks and waymarks will be discreet and in keeping with this wild place.'

Work to bring about greater access to the nature reserve has already begun. In recent weeks teams of local volunteers and students from Duchy College have helped lay boardwalk over some of its swampiest areas. A new easy access gate has also been installed. The remainder of the work will be finished later this year. When complete the new boardwalks and paths will link the nature reserve with a popular local footpath from nearby Hound Tor. 

One local volunteer who has helped in the project is Andrew Taylor. Andrew, who lives in nearby Manaton, spoke of the affection for the nature reserve and its wildlife which inspired him to get involved. 

'Emsworthy Mire is a special place with some spectacular wildlife. In spring and summer its bluebells and cotton grass make for a wonderful sight. The rare marsh fritillary butterfly has made a home here, alongside at least a dozen species of dragonfly. The nature reserve is also one of the most reliable places to see and hear cuckoos - one of several species that is declining across much of our countryside, but which still thrives at Emsworthy Mire.'

  'New funding will allow more people to enjoy Emsworthy's wonderful wildlife'. Photo copyright 'Simon Williams' (All rights reserved)

Volunteers are helping Devon Wildlife Trust construct new boardwalks at the Dartmoor beauty spot, Emsworthy Mire. Photo copyright DevonWildlife Trust (All rights reserved)

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Devon Wildlife Trust Emsworthy Moor  Grid ref SX 747 764

The nature reserve is open 365 days a year and is free to enter. It can be found off the B3387 Bovey Tracey to Widecombe-in-the-Moor road, past Hay Tor. There is a small car park on the right hand side just beyond Saddle Tor. From here there it is a 100m walk downhill to a gate at the south east entrance to the reserve. 

Coast Path Challenge gets underway on the Exmoor coast from Minehead to Porlock Weir

The South West Coast Path Challenge in October 2015 is a new fundraising event, which aims to set a new record for the number of times people can walk or run the Coast Path in one month. Participants can create their own challenge or join one of four organised 10 mile challenge walks – every miles counts!
 

On Saturday 3rd October, the first 10 mile Challenge kicks off on the Exmoor coast – the official start of the South West Coast Path. Setting off from the start marker in Minehead, the route takes in the rugged moorland countryside and the highest coastline in England. Highlights include the stunning Exmoor scenery and a chance to spot rare plants and animals, including red deer. Hear the call of the stag during the mating season and see the evidence of coastal erosion, where the 6000 year old shingle ridge across Porlock Bay was breached, resulting in dramatic flooding of the fields behind at each high tide to form Porlock Weir, where the walk ends.
 

Hayley Partridge, South West Coast Path Events Officer says;
“I am really looking forward to what is gearing up to be an exciting month-long event full of inspirational challenges that people have pledged to help protect the Coast Path. The Minehead to Porlock Weir stretch is a great way to kick start the challenge month, taking in the highest point on the Coast Path at Great Hangman.”

Money raised will go towards Path improvement projects to help protect the coastline for future generations. It costs at least £1,000 to maintain just 1 mile of Coast Path and it needs help. The South West Coast Path Challenge is organised by the South West Coast Path Association, with the National Trust as a charity partner as part of its coastal celebrations in 2015.

Subsequent 10 mile Challenges take place on the 10th October along the south Cornwall coast, from Gunwalloe to Lizard Point; on the 17th October, a Barefoot run will take place in South Devon; on the 24th in Plymouth from Admiral’s Hard to Mount Batten Centre and on 31st October from Durlston Head to South Haven Point.
 

All of the organised walking routes include parking at the finish and transportation to the start of the walk. It costs £20 to register for the organised walks and £10 for an individual challenge. Register to take part at www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/events/challenge and share your challenge on social networks using #Challenge630

Fundraising tip: Aim to raise at least £10 through sponsorship. Walk 10 miles and get 10 friends to sponsor you 10p a mile!

WIN! - Entrants to the Challenge can take part in a competition to win a Go Pro Camera. All you have to do is pledge your support on social media using the event hashtag #Challenge630 Find out more via the event registration page.

For inspiration about how to create your own Challenge, visit the event registration page as above. It can be anything from 1 mile to 100 miles or the entire 630 mile route if you see fit. Here’s a couple of short walks on the Coast Path in Somerset:

• The Hangmen Hills, Exmoor (4.7 miles) A challenging but inspiring walk on the highest point on the Exmoor coast that amply rewards the effort involved, with far-reaching views over coast and hills, through an area rich in history.·
•  Heddon's Mouth, Somerset (2.1 miles) A challenge for those with limited mobility – made easier with a Tramper all-terrain mobility scooter which can be hired from the National Trust at Heddon Valley and used to explore many of the paths in the area.

To be inspired to step out on the Coast Path, take a moment and enjoy the National Trust South West Coast film: http://bit.ly/coastfilm

Autumn on North Hill Photo copyright Bob Small (All rights reserved)

Striking A Chord. Get ready for the North Devon Music Network.

A few months ago Dion Sears, Development Manager St Annes Arts and Community Centre and Lucy Betts (Frithelstock Fest), sent out a questionaire regarding live music in North Devon. They set a target for responses and by the number of questionaires that came back they knew there was great interest.

They then looked at the feedback and came up with a networking evening where there would be direct access to good quality up and coming musicians that venues and promoters could book on the night if they fit with their program of events.

This is a great opportunity to meet other promoters, venues and supporters - a way to meet and help each other. 

It will also be a social evening with some great music. Josh Stevenson will be taking shots of the musians performing for free. They know people's time is short so they've kept the program to one and a half hours, but this is flexible and there will be a bar. 

It would be great if people could come and support this night, they hope people will enjoy it and gain from coming along.

This event is Sponsored by Clearwater Brewery

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Email: ndevonmusicnetwork@gmail.com 

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Venue

St. Anne's Arts and Community Centre, Paternoster Row, Barnstaple EX31 1SX