NORTH DEVON'S MIND BODY AND SOUL FESTIVAL Meet the Exhibitors

MEET THE

   EXHIBITORS   

NORTH DEVON'S MIND BODY AND SOUL FESTIVAL

SATURDAY 25TH AND SUNDAY 26TH APRIL

   

Devon's Large Attraction of the Year 2014 

RELAX AND UNWIND....

Meet the exhibitors that will be joining us at our  Mind, Body and Soul Festival on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April. Book your treatments and tickets!

More information on all our amazing exhibitors coming this week!

North Devon Hypnotherapy 'North Devon Hypnotherapy' provides clinical hypnotherapy and spiritual hypnotherapy, helping with the stress and anxieties of every day life. Book your Hypnotherapy taster sessions and Hypnotherapy group talk

Christine Manley Christine Manley offers allergy testing and reflexology using a simple and non-invasive method to identify intolerances. Book your admission tickets today Christine will be offering allergy taster tests during the weekend

North Devon Tai Chi/ Tui Na 'North Devon Tai Chi' offer classes in Tai Chi, Tui Na. They will be offering Tui Na full and taster sessions. Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage which is used to treat skeletal and muscular problems as well as internal organ and mental issues.     Book your Tui Na taster sessions

Teeki UK    'Teeki UK' take water bottles and turn them into clothes, giving them purpose again through an eco-friendly process. Book your admission tickets to see Teeki UK's collection

North Devon Therapeutic Massage 'North Devon Therapeutic Massage' offer an enjoyable healing tool which promotes good health and well being. Book your admission tickets North Devon Therapeutic Massage will be offering sessions to book on the day

Celia Estella Celia is a gifted Clairvoyant, Medium and Healer, specializing in matters of the heart and soul. Book you admission tickets Readings can be booked with Celia on the day

R and R Spa

'R&R Spa' a luxury North Devon haven where you can enjoy a range of gentle therapeutic treatments  which will leave you feeling Relaxed - and ready to get back on top of your job and busy family life.

Book your Indian Head Massage taster with R&R Spa

LOCAL MUSICIANS PLEASE NOTE. Competition Soundtrack on Your Road Trip

Fantastic opportunity for local musicians to put the perfect Soundtrack on this video and be in with a chance of winning £2000's worth of studio time. The music can be in whatever style you feel inspired to create – for example, electronic dance music (EDM), heavy metal or orchestral as long as it’s inspired by the video and fits its exact length. The competition ends on April 17. Travelsupermarket.com have filmed five road trips in five different locations around the UK, here is the one for the Atlantic Highway. Good luck everyone...

 Tap link for Soundtrack Competition Details when you view the video.

Leave a comment if you like this

Nature: This general election's missing issue?

West Country's leading nature charities unite to put nature on the agenda The National Trust, RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts are calling on people across the West Country to put nature at the heart of debate in the run up to May's General Election and encourage candidates to support nature. Together the three charities have produced South West Nature 2015 - a new website that details landscapes, wildlife and the issues these face, across all 55 Westminster constituencies in the south west. 

Speaking for the partnership, Harry Barton (CEO of Devon Wildlife Trust) said; "Nature is the missing issue from this general election. We need greater political commitment to nature's recovery and fundamental changes in how we value, use and interact with nature. This is as relevant to the stunning wildlife we have in our seas as it is to our internationally famous landscapes. What happens in the next parliament, and the decisions our elected representatives make, are going to be crucial to the nature we cherish and depend on." 

The charities are encouraging people to visit the website - www.swnature2015.org - or to find it on their local Wildlife Trust website, and discover the big nature issues where they live, then ask their local parliamentary candidates to show that they care about nature and that they will work individually and within their party to look after wildlife and natural spaces. 

Sarah O'Brien, South West External Affairs Advisor speaking for the National Trust said: "The South West has some of the country's most stunning landscapes and richest habitats, all surrounded by our world class coastline. Our natural environment is important in its own right, but it also underpins our economy, health and our wellbeing. Yet nature is in decline. It is vital that we halt this decline and secure nature's recovery in a generation, not only for its own sake, but for what it does for us." 

Simon Brenman speaking for The SW Wildlife Trusts said: "Our environment is under more pressure than ever before. The State of Nature report published in 2013 found that 60% of UK species we know about are in decline and many of the "free", but invaluable, services provided by nature are under threat, such as pollination, resilience to flooding, clean water supply, and food production." 

The charities, who have the support of hundreds of thousands of people across the West Country, say that nature is crucial to our economy, health and wellbeing.

Mark Robins, speaking for the RSPB in the South West said; "The West Country trades on the relative quality of its natural environment. It's one of the principle reasons why people choose to live, work and do business here." "But we need leadership, not only to commit to the recovery of nature, but also to make the most of the opportunities a thriving natural environment provides for healthier and more prosperous communities".  

To find out more visit www.swnature2015.org

'Nature is crucial to the South West's future prosperity, but are our politicians doing enough to safeguard it?' 

Photo:Devon Wildlife Trust's Emsworthy nature reserve, Dartmoor copyright Simon Williams (All rights reserved)

SCHOOL WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT PRODUCES CAPTIVATING SURF FILM

A North Devon teenager has produced a captivating short film about local surf forecaster Trev "Toes" Lumley during his work experience week at North Devon Moving Image (NDMI). Fifteen year old Tom Taylor, who is a student at Pilton Community College in Barnstaple, says "When I saw the work experience blog on the North Devon Moving Image website I knew that this was the right place to go. Film making is a career I want to go into when I'm older so this was the perfect opportunity to see what it involves and what it takes to do film making." "I chose to make a film about the North Devon surfer and owner of Eyeball Surfcheck Trevor Lumley. Surfing is a much loved sport locally as much as it is around the world so I felt it would be interesting to make a film about it." Tom shot his film at Putsborough Beach where Eyeball Surfcheck have one of their webcams. In the film Trev describes his passion for surfing "It's like a really strong drug, it's like being addicted to something that you just can't let go." He also talks about the dilemmas he sometimes has with the surf reporting which brings surfers from far and wide to catch North Devon's waves, saying "I feel like Dr Frankenstein sometimes, like I've created a monster."
Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of North Devon Moving Image enjoys working with enthusiastic students like Tom "Outreach and skills sharing is a big part of what we do here at NDMI. It is really rewarding enabling young people to achieve their dreams. Tom really threw himself into the project and showed a lot of creativity and quick thinking which is essential in documentary film making. He even co-produced the music which has turned out to be a really key element in this film's success." "This was a real experience of the community film making business for Tom. As well as researching and producing his own film, Tom found out what it is like to run a small business and juggle time and money to maximise output."
Amanda thanked North Devon Councillors Brian Moores, Colin Payne and Chris Turner who are all supporting the NDMI Outreach programmes with funding from their community grants this year "Without these generous contributions we would struggle to offer opportunities like this to North Devon's next generation of documentary film makers."
Tom summed up his week at NDMI "Working at North Devon Moving Image has been brilliant. I have had a real insight into what film making is about."

Tom's film is now part of the North Devon Moving Image collection and available to watch on the NDMI website http://www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpBF315n8us

Photo: Trevor Lumley with young film maker Tom Taylor (15) from Pilton Community College

A dark day and bright night at Meeth Quarry nature reserve

Devon Wildlife Trust together with the North Devon Astronomical Society are inviting members of the public to join them for a unique viewing of the solar eclipse followed by star gazing at Meeth Quarry nature reserve. The event will take place on Friday 20 March. Experts will guide visitors through the solar eclipse using professional equipment. From 8am onwards the North Devon Astronomical Society will be at Devon Wildlife Trust's Meeth Quarry nature reserve with their hydrogen alpha telescope which filters light making it safe to look at the sun. Viewers will be able to see sun spots and spectacular prominences, these are huge loops tens of thousands of miles above the surface of the sun large enough the fit the earth through. Stuart Bartlett form North Devon Astronomical Society said "This partial eclipse seen in the South West, is a rare opportunity not to be missed. The moon will block out our view of the sun by approximately 93% which will create a noticeable dark sky". Stuart warns people not to look directly at the sun or through cameras or optical equipment at any time as this can cause permanent damage to eyes. All safety equipment, including solar film for binoculars, will be provided at this event. The solar eclipse will be at its maximum just before 9.30am but Devon Wildlife Trust invites visitors to arrive from 8am onwards. Jo Pullin from Devon Wildlife Trust said "bring a deckchair and enjoy our bacon butties while you watch this two hour spectacle." 

A separate star gazing event follows in the evening from 7.30pm looking at constellations and planets with North Devon Astronomical Society's telescopes. Jo Pullin said "Meeth Quarry nature reserve is easily accessible but far away from street lights and other light pollution which provides the perfect place to view the night skies at their best." Hot drinks and soup will warm viewers but wrap up warm and sturdy footwear is essential, torches advisable. Each session costs £3 per adult, children are free. Visitors are asked to bring solar viewing glasses if possible although some will be available to borrow. If there is cloud cover, the solar eclipse event will not take place and star gazing will be postponed until Sat 21 March. For updates on the day phone 01837 811889. 

 Photo: Andromeda Galaxy copyright Stuart Bartlett (All Rights Reserved)

Meeth Quarry DWT nature reserve is on the southern edge of the village of Meeth on the A386 between Hatherleigh and Great Torrington. Follow the access road for half a mile and the car park is on the left. Nearest postcode is EX20 3EP Check the Devon Wildlife Trust website for more information http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/whats-on/ 

A little Spring Bounce

I took this video of an incredible display from a male Blue Tit last Spring. Such a big effort from a teeny bird. He started what I think was his courting ritual in April, jumping to the log, fluttering up and down the window then across to the feeder and back again, the only sound "tappity tap" as he collided frequently with the window. Marvin's visits started early morning and went on for hours each day. For three weeks the ritual continued until he finally found his soulmate.

Spring has arrived early this year, as I am writing this I am thrilled to say Mr. Blue Tit is back again and has started his merry dance once more, I would like to think it’s Marvin. Around and around isn’t nature fantastic.

Window on the World: A short vido clip by P. Adams (2014)
Photo: Marvin's return 10/3/2015

Charity promises biggest ever Mother's Day bunch of flowers

Devon Wildlife Trust is offering a very special Mother's Day treat - and the good news is it's free. The charity cares for 50 of Devon's top places for nature and at one of these - Dunsford, near Exeter - this year's Mother's Day is set to coincide with the peak of its famous display of wild daffodils.
Devon Wildlife Trust's Steve Hussey said: 'Dunsford nature reserve contains one of England's biggest collections of wild daffodils. Every March these flowers bloom and together their delicate yellow flowers provide a spectacular natural spectacle. This year the signs are that the flowers will be at their best in the middle of the month, making it the perfect place for a Mother's Day stroll on Sunday 15 March.' Steve Hussey said: 'With the River Teign running through its heart, picturesque woodland walks and wonderful wildlife Dunsford attracts more than 40,000 visitors a year. It's a very special place at any time but in spring with the daffodils on show it makes the perfect place to take Mum and the rest of the family.'
The scene at Dunsford wasn't always so rosy. In the 1960s the wild daffodils were in steep decline as many were picked by unthinking visitors. There were even regular advertised 'daffodil picking' trips run by coach companies to the beauty spot. However, concerted campaigning by local people and a change in law to protect wildflowers means that this problem is largely a thing of the past.
Today it is the job of Devon Wildlife Trust's Andrew Bakere to look after Dunsford. Andrew said: 'We find that visitors today are very respectful of the wild daffodils. I think many realise just what a special natural event they are. Today people are content to just come and marvel at them.' Recently Andrew has been hard at work with the help of volunteers and funding from the English Woodland Grant Scheme to clear glades in Dunsford's riverside woodland. These glades are now providing light and space for the daffodils to grow. Andrew said: 'It's been hard work but rewarding. The wild daffodils last year were the best I've seen for years and we're hoping to top that display for Mother's Day this year. And it's not just the flowers that have benefited - birds including pied flycatchers breed here and use the glades to hunt insects in, while butterflies including silver-washed fritillaries bask in the warm, sheltered spots which they provide.' Dunsford's wild daffodils will be in bloom until the end of March.
Dunsford nature reserve is on the B3212 just inside the Dartmoor National Park boundary between Moretonhampstead and Exeter. Its main entrance is close to Steps Bridge over the River Teign. Like all of Devon Wildlife Trust's 50 nature reserves it is free to enter. For more details on Dunsford nature reserve visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org 

Daffodils at Dunsford. Photo copyright Kevin New. (All Rights Reserved)

"What is our rural landscape worth to us?" - five conversations - one play

The Common Charter Hall, Okehampton, March 14th, 7.30pm

Beaford Arts and China Plate present The Common. Spring 2014, five writers went to North Devon to explore what the rural environment means to its people. They got to know old farming families, incomers and returnees. They met rural life in mugs of tea at farmhouse kitchen tables, on windswept hills, under rusting barn roofs and from 'backies' on a farmer's quad bike. These encounters and conversations fed the writing of The Common, a performance work of five dialogues about life and land. Two performers (Charlotte Melia and Martin Hyder) play ten characters examining their relationships with each other and the landscape which connects them with life itself. 

Rural arts organisation and cultural ambassadors for North Devon's Biosphere Reserve, Beaford Arts initiated this project. "In north Devon, we've always known the value of our land." says Mark Wallace, Director of Beaford Arts "Now, as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and as one of Natural England's Nature Improvement Areas, we're increasingly under the national and international spotlight. But it's the rural communities, living with the land for generations, who made this landscape. This new show is about the values we still hold in common - about the voices which should still be heard." Six months on from its world premiere in North Devon, The Common is going on tour to four other NIAs - Meres & Moses, Morecambe Bay, Birmingham and Wild Purbeck. The Common is a local play with national significance, it captures the environmental zeitgeist and its universal relevance makes for vital viewing in every rural community. One of the five writers, Inua Ellams, said "It was a job of listening, of conversations that were heart breaking, overwhelming, passionate and multi-layered. When it came to writing, I didn't know where to start, but an idea crystallised after I met a farmer, his wife and two sons." "They told stories and anecdotes to illustrate how complicated a process it would be. How there are some aspects of the land that simply cannot be valued, that are (by that definition) priceless. He referred to us as townies, and he and his colleagues as country folk. He did not like townies. As a black African I'm used to prejudice, I found it refreshing, dare I say thrilling, to be prejudiced because of where I lived rather than the colour of my skin. As we talked and I asked the right questions, he began to relax and slowly 'you townies' became 'those townies'. We 'othered' them so we could point and laugh."
Talking about her part in the development process, another of the writing team, Charlotte Josephine explains "The piece I wrote was mainly inspired by meeting photographer Rosie Anderson. I read her charming 'personal post on a place called home' on her website on the train down and knew we'd be friends. Her passionate post about the closing of Hatherleigh Market really struck a chord with me. It's heart-breaking when we sacrifice tradition, community and culture for financial gain." 

The Common will be performed in Charter Hall, Okehampton, March 14th, 7.30pm Tickets are free but limited so booking is essential. Bookings through Eventbrite: 

Beaford Arts The Common - Photos copyright (All rights reserved) 

Read previous post about The Common 

 Beaford Arts www.beaford-arts.org.uk China Plate www.chinaplatetheatre.com

A wild life is a better life says charity

A Wild Life is a Better Life - all the evidence is there Sir David Attenborough highlights why the natural world is so important to us all South West charity wants to hear all about people's wild lives!

When we stop and think, we all know that nature is good for us - but how often do we stop and think? Devon Wildlife Trust is launching My Wild Life today which encourages us all to stop for a minute to reflect on what wildlife means to us and think about how to make wildlife part of our everyday lives. If we did this, not only would wildlife benefit, but so would we - because contact with nature is good for us. Those people lucky enough to live near and experience green spaces have a 50% chance of being more healthy - both physically and mentally and are 40% less likely to become overweight or obese.

Sir David Attenborough has travelled the world in search of wildlife but in London where he lives he can watch stag beetles flying in his garden and marvel at ancient trees in London's parks. Sir David, The Wildlife Trusts' President Emeritus, says: "Contact with nature should not be the preserve of the privileged. It is critical to the personal development of our children." This is why Devon Wildlife Trust is restoring wildlife and wild places in the county's towns and cities as well as in its wonderful countryside, and why we are encouraging people from all walks of life to share their own personal stories about what nature means to them.

Sir David Attenborough is one of hundreds of people taking part so far, alongside students, nurses, families, volunteers, teachers and many others from across the UK. From today his, and other stories, can be found at www.mywildlife.org.uk where people can add their own story and discover wild places near to them. Sir David continues "People turn to nature in moments of joy and in moments of sadness. We are part of the natural world: we depend on it for the air we breathe and the food we eat. The Wildlife Trusts are helping people to understand their role in the natural world and their dependency on it. This is essential if we are going to speed nature's recovery." 

Simon King OBE, The Wildlife Trusts' President, said: "People across the UK benefit from the work The Wildlife Trusts do - from nature therapy projects to forest schools, the thousands of wild places we care for and our work bringing back wildlife and natural processes to landscapes. We've always known that contact with nature can make a big difference to people's lives. The evidence is now building to back this up. We hope these stories inspire others to think about their relationship with the natural world and to make nature part of their life." 

Imogen, 15, from Exeter has been volunteering for Devon Wildlife Trust for the past six months and her story features in My Wild Life. Imogen says: "I volunteer for The Trust as part of my Duke of Edinburgh Award and I chose the charity because it looks after the things that I really care about. I love Devon as a place to grow up in. I body-board and swim in its seas, I love the feeling of freedom I get from walking on Dartmoor and I like sharing these spaces with its very special wildlife." 

Steve Hussey from Devon Wildlife Trust explained the thinking behind the My Wild Life campaign: 'The South West's landscapes and nature are what underpins our quality of life - they make this a special place to be. Unfortunately, in our busy daily lives we sometimes lose sight of this and the things that really matter. With My Wild Life we're asking people to stop, think and then tell us what their connection to nature is. We're interested in hearing all about people's wild lives!' Everyone can share their stories of the wildlife and wild places which matter to them and why, using #MyWildLife on twitter, facebook and Instagram. 

* Find inspiration - explore stories about people and nature at mywildlife.org.uk, including Sir David Attenborough's. 
* Share your wild life - share your 'Wild Life' and what nature means to you. Upload your story at mywildlife.org.uk or use #MyWildLife 
* Wild is better, pass it on - read and share our '10 Reasons Why Wild Is Better' infographic at mywildlife.org.uk 
* Make nature part of your life - see our ideas for putting the wild back in your life mywildlife.org.uk 
* Discover Devon's best Wild Walks at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wild-walks/ 
* Start your wild life at one of hundreds of Devon Wildlife Trust events this year http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/whats-on/

Spring Highlights. A celebration of North Devon Coast and Countryside events

Something old, something new and something for the soul. The old; Mothers’ Day, Daffodil Days, Bluebell Days and wild flower walks through the ancient woodlands at Hartland Abbey, a Funtastic Fudge Hunt at Clovelly, new born lambs and an eggstatic Easter Eggstravaganza at the Big Sheep. Now for something new. Prepare to be inspired by The Big North Devon Wedding Show at the Big Sheep at the beginning of March. You can join the FROW on the Rock the Frock Catwalk, take advantage of the Hair and Beauty Parlour or Dance Choreography sessions. There will be live music and over sixty wedding suppliers. Mid April and it’s back to Clovelly for “The Vintage Bride” - a nautically inspired Wedding Fair at Clovelly Court. The Great Terrace at Clovelly Court will host a beautiful Vintage style Blue Fizz marquee, show-casing an array of wonderful wedding suppliers. There’ll be live music here too, Pop Up Vintage style refreshments, a Pop Up Beauty Parlour and a roaming Catwalk, fabulous giveaways and goody bags ..phew, makes you want to get married again! After all that excitement time you'll need something for calming the senses – oh good the inaugural North Devon's Mind, Body and Soul Festival is being held towards the end of April. Scroll down for event details:

MARCH

Sunday 8th March The Big North Devon Wedding Show 11am until 4pm Meet the finest wedding exhibitors Devon & Cornwall has to offer at this new inspiring show set in this unique location. 60+ Devon & Cornwall wedding suppliers. £3 Entry - Book Now! Rock the Frock Catwalk, Pop up Hair and Beauty Parlour, Live Music, Dance Choreography sessions, Gorgeous Products. Visit Website
13th March Live Music from The Decibelles at The Clinton Arms. Be soothed lulled and rocked by the Decibelles. Book a table have a beer. Come hear a fantastic band comfortable with songs from the "bouffant petticoat" age of the 50's, traditional folk, Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Pretenders, - yes, even Abba, and quirky songs from any era that takes their fancy. They also sing their own stuff. The Clinton Arms Frithelstock, Torrington, Devon EX38 8JH Web Site http://www.clintonarms.co.uk/
Sunday 15th March HARTLAND ABBEY DAFFODIL DAY 11am - 4pm. A lovely chance to come with the family or friends to see the wonderful collection of historic daffodils, many planted 150 years ago by our ancestors.Our spring flower days are really good fun days out for everyone including the children and dogs.Visitors will be able to see not only the daffodils, but also lots of camellias, hellebores, early spring bulbs, mimosas and our lovely wild primroses and violets.There is plenty of opportunity for a really good walk along stunning woodland paths through wild flowers to the Gazebo, the newly restored Summer House and Blackpool Mill, which starred as 'Barton Cottage' in the BBC adaptation of 'Sense and Sensibility'. The Abbey itself will be open between 12 -4pm at a small extra charge.Warming hot pasties, light lunches and really good home made cream teas available in the Old Kitchen Tea Room. Visitors are advised to bring wellies and do please bring lots of dogs! Flower Day entry prices: Adults £5, Children (age 5-15) £1, Under 5 free. Entry to the house £4 open 12-3pm For further information please ring 01237 441496 /441234 www.hartlandabbey.com Hartland Abbey, Hartland nr. Bideford, N. Devon EX39 6DT
15th March Mothers Day - Free Entry to the BIG Sheep for all Mums when accompanied by a full paying child. Visit Website for details
Saturday 28th March to Monday 6th April Funtastic Fudge Hunt at Clovelly. Twenty fudge stones will be hidden in the village for 10 days leading up to and over Easter. Find one and take it to the Fudge Shop at the Vistor Centre and discover how much fudge you have won. If you find Number 20, you will win a whole kilo of fudge made up of eight different flavours - what a treat! And you can come back and try again. One stone redeemable per visiting family per day.
Saturday 28th March - Sunday 12th April BIG Sheep Easter EGGSTRAVAGANZA Festival As well as having over 30,000 chocolate eggs to find, there will be something for all the family to enjoy this Easter and every visitor will be entered into our FREE prize draw to win a MASSIVE chocolate Easter Egg which was handmade by award winning chocolatier Carlo Melchior who supplies chocolate to London's Fortnum & Mason. See website for more Easter Events at the Big Sheep
APRIL
1st April Easter Lambing at the Big Sheep. Lambs expected during February Half Term Holidays and Easter. Easter at the BIG Sheep is an exciting time of year with lots of lovely lambs arriving to celebrate the advent of spring. Kid goats and piglets are also likely to arrive during Easter. Join in at the bottle feeding shows (running twice daily) and get a chance to bottle feed an orphaned lamb. Visit website for details

Saturday 4th April Easter Saturday, Ruby Country Market, Hatherleigh Visit Website for Details
Easter Sunday 5th and Easter Monday 6th April 2015, EASTER EGGING at Hartland Abbey 11.00 - 5pm. Come and join the fun in the beautiful grounds and gardens of Hartland Abbey over the Easter weekend. Children will have a wonderful time searching all the woodland paths and walks for clues that will lead them to a hidden treasure trove of Easter Eggs. There will be traditional games like Pin the Tail on the Bunny as well. For adults the daffodils and spring flowers should be looking wonderful, making this a special day out for adults and children alike. The house will be open at an extra charge. Other family fun things are planned too, so visit www.hartlandabbey.com for further details. Admission rates: Adults £7; All children over 2 £4; Admission to house extra: Adults £4, Children free. For further information please ring 01237 441496 /441234. Hartland Abbey, Hartland nr. Bideford, N. Devon EX39 6DT
18th April Go ballistic with balloons at the BIG Sheep's Balloon Festival and let Vaughan, our resident balloon expert entertain you with his humour, mischief and incredible artistic ability to produce mind boggling entertainment which will have you dumb with amazement and shaking with laughter whatever your age.
Sunday 19th and 26th April, BLUEBELL DAYS at Hartland Abbey 11 am - 4 pm. The bluebell season runs throughout April and the beginning of May but normally the last two weeks in April are when the flowers are at their best. Bring your children and dogs to enjoy some lovely walks within the Abbey grounds from the Walled Gardens to the sea carpeted with beautiful bluebells and other wildflowers. A newly restored circular, woodland path links the Summerhouse to the Gazebo and Blackpool Mill overlooking the Atlantic. The Summerhouse was a favourite spot for the family to picnic and for the children to play. See 'Barton Cottage' which was the home of the Dashwood family in the BBC production of 'Sense and Sensibility', filmed here. Once you have worked up an appetite, enjoy lunch in the Old Kitchen Tea Rooms where there will be some special chocolaty treats as well as the delicious, homemade menu! Outside, there will be a barbecue of mouth-watering burgers. The house and grounds will be open with the museum and shop open too. Bluebell Day entry prices: Adults £5, Children (age 5-15) £1, Under 5 free. Parking free. Entry to the house £4 extra, open 12-4pm. For further information please ring 01237 441496/441234 www.hartlandabbey.com Hartland Abbey, Hartland nr. Bideford, N. Devon EX39 6DT
Sunday 19th April The Vintage Bride - a nautically inspired Wedding Fair, Clovelly Court. Our gorgeous wedding fair is both VINTAGE and NAUTICALLY inspired ... the perfect combination for one of the most stunning wedding locations in North Devon. The Great Terrace at Clovelly Court will host a beautiful Vintage style Blue Fizz marquee, showcasing an array of wonderful wedding suppliers, both locally and regionally based. With live music, Pop Up Vintage style refreshments and food, Pop Up Beauty Parlour, roaming Catwalk, fabulous giveaways and goody bags ... our fair is the perfect Spring destination for brides and grooms 'to be'. Entry: £3.50 to include goody bags and giveaways; children FREE For further details contact: clovellyweddings@gmail.com
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th April North Devon's Mind, Body and Soul Festival. North Devon is a great place to live, work and play and offers everyone who lives here an opportunity to embrace a life style that feeds the mind, body and soul. We are fortunate that we have a wonderful array of therapists and practitioners in the area who offer a fantastic range of ways in which to explore a holistic approach to help balance the mind, body and soul. To help celebrate all that is good in our lives the inaugural Mind, Body & Soul Festival will be held in The BIG Sheep's EWE2 arena, home to some of North Devon's top events, Visit Website for details
 For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  

Photo Copyright P. Adams (All rights reserved)

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North Devon Tourist Information Centres
Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, North Devon Museum, The Square, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 9LS
Bideford Tourist Information Centre, Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road, Bideford, EX39 2QQ 
Braunton Tourist Information Centre The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1AA
Combe Martin Tourist Information Centre Cross Street, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 ODH 
Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre: The Memorial Hall, Holsworthy, 
Torrington Tourist Information Centre, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington   
lfracombe Tourist Information Centre The Landmark Theatre, The Seafront, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9BX
Lynton Tourist Information Centre Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, North Devon, EX35 6HT T
South Molton Tourist Information  1 East Street, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3BU 
Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre The Esplanade, Woolacombe, North Devon, EX34 7DL 
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Click here to add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar 
(We advise that you check with venues to ensure events are taking place, to confirm details dates & times)

ELECTRIC SWING CIRCUS THE FACTORY SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY – 8PM

Ladies and Gentlemen, hold onto your hats. The circus is coming to town!  The Electric Swing Circus is a 6-piece fusion of saucy 20′s swing and stomping electro beats. With an explosive sound that reverberates back through time, the ESC hotfoot their way through everything from breakbeat and house to reggae and dubstep, all with their own unique style of swing. A full time, touring band on the international circuit, the ESC’s live set includes electric double bass, vintage samples, gypsy-jazz guitar, keys, drums, synths and electro beats. Fronted by a sassy female double-act, the ESC delivers a consistently dazzling show. Their debut, self-titled album is available now on Ragtime Records. The ESC line-up features Laura Louise and Bridget Walsh (vocals), Chandra Walker (drums and keyboard), Tom Hyland (guitar), Rashad Gregory (samples, MPC & synths) and Patrick Wreford (bass & bass synth). The band first formed in June 2011, with their preview EP, Penniless Optimist, released in September 2011. Their eponymous debut album “Electric Swing Circus” was released in May 2013. After a big year of festivals and international touring in 2014, a new album is in the pipeline for 2015. Support comes from Don Johnston noted for tight, original DJ sets. Expect jazzy swinging bass music and a high energy playing style that always captivates audiences.

• Doors open at 8PM  - Advance tickets £8.00 
• Physical tickets available from: Beats Workin, Barnstaple 
• Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net (Ticket outlets subject to booking fee)

The Factory Petroc Brannams Campus, Oakwood Close, Roundswell Barnstaple, 

North Devon, EX31 3NJ  www.thefactoryvenue.co.uk

Album available on iTunes

 The Electric Swing Circus - The Electric Swing Circus

Artist The Electric Swing Circus 

SHORT FILM: WINNER TAKES ALL - APPLEDORE PILOT GIG CLUB LADIES A TEAM

North Devon film making project Boat Stories has come up trumps again with Winner Takes All, an exciting short film capturing the thrills of women's gig racing in North Devon. The five minute documentary follows Appledore Pilot Gig Club Ladies A Team as they compete on home waters at last year's Appledore Gig Regatta. When Boat Stories Producer, Jo Stewart-Smith met the Ladies A Team she immediately spotted a good story "I was impressed with the welcome I was given" says Jo "how hard the teams trained through the winter – how competitive they were and yet the friendships they made through the team and the club carried on into their social life so that they were a tight knit group at work and at play. " Emily Lea, Vice Captain of the team says they were really excited when Jo approached them with the idea of making a film and they are thrilled with the result  "The film captures the great passion and incredible dedication members have at Appledore Pilot Gig Club. While watching the film, I went back to those gruelling training sessions, those competitive, goose bump moments where we almost beat our rivals and that sheer feeling of giving all you have got, for those incredible minutes of racing!" "Rowing is already a popular sport, but with the help of this film, I feel it will promote the sport in a positive light, and encourage more people to get fit, and what better than to row in a boat!"

The sport is popular with both men and women, a lot of Appledore Pilot Gig Club members are married, which brings healthy competition between the sexes. The ladies have three racing teams, A, B and C crews and an intermediate group, who will be forming a D crew this season. There is also a group of 'women of a certain age' and Emily says "We are very lucky to have the amazing "hot flushes" they compete in the vets and super vets races, and often win silverware for the club. We are all very close and it just proves age really doesn't matter when it comes to rowing." "Women of today are so busy juggling home and work life, rowing is a welcome escape, you can step into the boat in a stressed and bad mood and leave after a good row feeling refreshed, confident and ready to face the world!" The team's next battle will be in The isle Of Scillies at the World Championships where they will be rowing hard but also celebrating 4 hen dos. Emily notes "This of course will be happening after we have competed. There is a strict rule amongst the woman of no drinking until the last day ... that's the beauty of rowing though, we don't need alcohol to have fun!"

Along with the other Boat Stories short films Winner Takes All can be viewed at the Boat Stories website www.boatstories.co.uk where you can read more about gig rowing in North Devon and the making of the film.

Work for Devon Wildlife

Devon Wildlife Trust is looking for friendly, enthusiastic and confident people to take on a new challenge in 2015 and help Devon's biggest wildlife conservation charity recruit new members. The Membership Recruiter position has never been more valuable to DWT, as membership is the only reliable source of income for the charity to be able to continue helping wildlife in Devon. DWT's 49 nature reserves across Devon provide habitats for a host of threatened and rare species including dormice, otters and greater horseshoe bats. Membership allows the charity to continue the habitat management for this precious wildlife to thrive in Devon. DWT's Membership lead, Rachael Fielder-Pine, said, "This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves talking to people, working outside, and cares about wildlife and Devon. Our recruiters approach visitors to venues, such as garden centres and county shows in Devon, and talk to them about the Trust's valuable work, with a view to securing a regular monthly donation. In return, membership recruiters can expect flexible working hours, competitive rates of pay, and of course, the nice feeling that they are making a real contribution to the wellbeing of wildlife in Devon!" DWT Membership Recruiter, Jo Forsyth, said, "The role is flexible and varied, you're outdoors often, and you get to attend some really nice events and venues, whilst enthusing people about the environment and wildlife and DWT's role in looking after it. For me it's about capturing people's interest in and concern for nature and turning that in to valuable support for DWT." 

Hours are flexible and earning dependent on hours worked. Basic pay is £8.50 per hour, or 38% commission of the annual subscription value, including gift aid, of each confirmed membership, whichever is the highest at the end of each month. An additional 10% commission can be earned for exceeding monthly targets. For more information about the role, and how to apply, visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org/job-vacancies/

Photo: Jo Forsyth, Membership Recruiter © Devon Wildlife Trust copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

Drop-in to discuss next steps for beavers

People are being invited to a public drop-in session in Ottery St Mary to hear what the next steps will be for the town's local wild beavers.  The drop-in is being held on Friday 6 February between 3pm and 7.30pm at The Institute, Ottery St Mary, East Devon. The organisers are keen to stress that everyone is welcome. A small population of beavers is living on the River Otter close to the East Devon town of Ottery St Mary. The animals recently made national news headlines when Natural England decided to grant Devon Wildlife Trust with a licence which would allow the animals to live on the river while the charity monitored their impacts on the local community, landscape and economy. The River Otter Beaver Trial, as it is known, will last for the next five years. Representatives from Natural England will be at the drop-in session to discuss the temporary removal of the beavers which is being planned to ensure that they are healthy. Devon Wildlife Trust staff will also be on hand to discuss how the River Otter Beaver Trial will work over the coming years.
Devon Wildlife Trust's Peter Burgess said: 'It is very good news that we have been granted a licence to release the beavers back on the river once they have been proven to be healthy. Natural England and Devon Wildlife Trust are hosting this meeting to answer any questions the local community may have about the next steps of the project.'
The Institute can be found in Ottery Street, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1HD. Parking at the Institute is very limited, but there are public car parks nearby.
Devon Wildlife Trust