The art of bringing stories to life with the Burton at Bideford

We enjoyed two of the recent exhibitions at the Burton at Bideford, 'Celebrating 40 Years of Michael Morpurgo's War Horse' was an emotive journey through time illustrating his iconic novel written in 1982, its stage adaption in 2007 culminating in the award winning film, directed by Stephen Spielberg, in 2011. This ran alongside 'The Permanent Collection Curated by Community Groups' bringing together contemporary work created by local people in response to the Burton at Bideford's Permanent Collection of art, an interesting concept, which included work by the Burton Young Photographers, Women's First and Devon Recovery Learning Community.

Celebrating the history of the area with local art & ceramic exhibitions and a host of art and craft workshops for all ages, we are so lucky to have such a bright spot in Bideford. The graphic designs on the exterior walls were created back in June 2021 by exhibiting artist Lucy McLauchlan, a nod to her amazing exhibition: Woodlands, Wastelands & Waterways.

The Burton Art Gallery and Museum is situated on the Pill beside Victoria Park so you can check out the exhibitions and collections, take a coffee break at the Cafe du Parc and finish with a stroll around the park.

 

Bideford bright spot - Photo credit Pat Adams

 

The Art Box & Kiln, Burton at Bideford - Photo credit Pat Adams

 

Artist, Lucy McLauchlan, a nod to her amazing exhibition: Woodlands, Wastelands at Burton at Bideford 2021. Photo credit Pat Adams

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Current Exhibitions

'Revealing the Human Form' is a new exhibition showcasing the work of renowned British sculptors including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Jacob Epstein and Antony Gormley. 15th July-5th September

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Jam Westwood: Don’t Look At My Jugs… And Other Stories - A collection of reimagined historical artefacts made by Jam Westwood

17th June-19th September

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The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum are open daily. Admission is free.

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 TAP HERE to visit their website to keep up to date with the latest special events and workshop activities  

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The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon EX39 2QQ

The Burton at Bideford has been a registered charity since 2016

Volunteers celebrate four decades of devotion to Devon nature reserve

A dedicated group of volunteers has celebrated 40 years of work conserving one of the North Devon’s best-loved nature havens.

Halsdon and Dolton Local Group was formed in 1983 to help promote local the preservation of wildlife and specifically to look after a local nature reserve. Ever since its volunteers have worked in tandem with the Devon Wildlife Trust to conserve the charity’s Halsdon nature reserve, a 57 hectare site near Great Torrington. Its combination of beautiful woodland and a stunning section of the River Torridge, makes it popular with visitors and a home to huge numbers of wildflowers, butterflies, moths, birds and much more besides.

The Group recently celebrated its significant birthday staging a public open day at the nature reserve. The event included walking tours, moth identification, badge making, a cake stall and river dipping in search of aquatic insects. Joining the Group’s volunteers and local families were Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive Harry Barton and Mike Moser, Chair of North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Partnership.

Local Group member Marion Philips said:

“The idea behind today’s event is trying to get local families involved. I have lived in Dolton for 40 years and been involved with Devon Wildlife Trust much of this time. Back then, local young mums and I used to get involved doing facepainting and pond dipping. We also organised work parties to help look after the nature reserve. The focus then was clearing the invasive rhododendron. We once had 90 people come to a work party. It was exciting and we got a lot of work done.”

Dawn Lenn, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Volunteer Coordinator said:

“We are so pleased to be able to celebrate 40 years of wonderful service by Halsdon and Dolton Local Group. Over the decades they have contributed countless hours of hard work, helping to maintain Halsdon nature reserve as a haven for people and wildlife.

But that is not all the Group has achieved. Each year they have also staged a programme of regular nature-based walks and talks, bringing the wonders of wildlife to hundreds of local people.”

The event also gave Halsdon and Dolton Local Group an opportunity to celebrate a special award for one of their founder members. Local-resident and former schoolteacher, Diana Goodacre was presented with a Devon Wildlife Fellowship – the charity’s top accolade for its volunteers and supporters. The award was in recognition of her four decades of volunteering in the cause of local wildlife and its conservation.

Diana Goodacre said:

“I volunteer because it’s part of who I am. You feel you’ve done something worthwhile, and my upbringing showed that the natural world is so important.

The bluebell woods in spring here at Halsdon make me think this is what heaven must be like. But I love all of the nature reserve.”

For the latest volunteer opportunities and public events organised by Dolton Local Group go to the Devon Wildlife Trust website at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Halsdon and Dolton Local Group’s Diana Goodacre receives her Devon Wildlife Trust fellowship award from Mike Moser while Harry Barton applauds

A Devon Summer with Liz Shakespeare

A Devon author, who specialises in breathing life into true stories from Devon’s past, is looking forward to a busy summer. Liz Shakespeare will be attending a number of events this summer to sign copies of her books and to talk to members of the public.

Liz said, ‘Writing is a solitary activity, so I really look forward to opportunities to meet readers when I give talks or attend book signings throughout Devon.’

She has written six books set in Devon, bringing to life the stories she finds in old newspapers, on gravestones and in parish records. Liz, who lives in Littleham, has a long Devon ancestry which she feels has given her a good understanding of the county and its people. Her most recent book, The Song of the Skylark, tells the true story of a young girl who was sent out as a parish apprentice to work on a remote Devon farm.

‘I am currently working on my seventh book,’ Liz said. ‘This one is set in Torrington in the nineteenth century and is again based on a true story. It will be available to buy next spring.’

Liz will be signing copies of all six of her books at the following events:

In the Magpie Marquee at the Mid-Devon Show on July 22nd

Clovelly Maritime Festival on July 23rd

Launceston Show on July 27th North Devon Show on August 2nd

Hartland Farmers’ Market on August 6th Okehampton Show on August 10th

Chagford Show on August 17th North Molton Country Fair on August 20th

Holsworthy Show on August 24th Torridge Art and Craft Market on August 26th

Lustleigh Show on August 28thClovelly Lobster and Crab Feast on September 3rd

 

 

 Liz Shakespeare will be book signing at events throughout Devon

 

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Liz’s books can also be ordered post-free from her website www.lizshakespeare.co.uk