Tuesday, 15 January 2019

"A Sigh for Devon" - Bicentenary of Edward Capern’s birth.


It was two hundred years ago, on 21st January 1819, that Edward Capern, Devon’s Postman Poet, was born into a poor, working-class family in Tiverton. His father, a baker, could not afford to educate his son and would never have dreamt that he would become nationally renowned as a poet, winning plaudits from the Prime Minister and support from the biggest literary names of the day.

The bicentenary of his birth would, perhaps, have gone unnoticed if his extraordinary story had not been brought back to public attention by Devon author Liz Shakespeare. She has written The Postman Poet, a novel based on the life of Capern, and has published 34 of his 600 poems in The Poems of Edward Capern. While writing the novel, Liz drew on historical research and details in the poems to tell the astonishing story through Edward’s eyes as he struggles to support his family, capturing the opportunities and inequalities of Victorian North Devon.

Edward Capern became a postman following the introduction of the Penny Post, walking the 13 mile round trip between Bideford and Buckland Brewer 364 days a year. He would jot down poems while he was walking and he often wrote on the envelopes he was about to deliver: “He had to ask the recipients if he could keep the envelopes because he’d written poems on them,” said Liz Shakespeare, whose own cottage was on Capern’s round.

He was entirely self-taught but he had a local benefactor, William Frederick Rock from Barnstaple, who saw Capern’s early poems in the North Devon Journal in the 1850s and supported the publication of the first volume of poems. The book was a national success, winning the support of Charles Dickens, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Rowland Hill, the inventor of the Penny Post, as well as considerable local fame. Many people used to visit North Devon to see the Postman Poet set off on his round, at the same time as visiting the scenes made famous by Charles Kingsley’s book ‘Westward Ho!’ after which the seaside resort was named. Edward Capern was awarded a Civil List Pension by the Prime Minister for his services to literature and went on to write three further books of poems.

During her research, Liz found that some of his poems were intended to be sung, so collaborated with Devon musicians Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll who set them to music for their CD, The Songs of Edward Capern.

Most of his poems are happy and extol the beauties of the North Devon countryside, but he was also very aware of the darker side of life. Although he was careful not to upset the aristocracy who bought his work, Capern was keen to use his pen to champion the cause of the poor and he managed to slip in many reminders, amongst his happier verses, that the poor should not be forgotten, and that labourers should be paid fair wages.

One poem Nick and Becki have set to music is The Dinner Bell, a tale of the haves and have-nots in which Capern laments the plight of families who could hear the sound of distant dinner bells but had no food themselves.

In recognition of Capern’s commitment to social justice, £1 from each copy of the poetry collection sold is being donated to the Northern Devon Food Bank, and more than £500 has been raised so far.

Together, Liz Shakespeare, Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll have appeared at music festivals and book festivals to tell the story of Edward Capern through words and song.

On Monday 21st January Liz will be placing flowers on Edward Capern’s grave in Heanton Punchardon to commemorate the birth of Devon’s Postman Poet two hundred years ago. 

A Sigh for Devon
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Bright haunt of the daffodil, myrtle, and rose,
Of solitude sweet, and of pleasant repose,
Where a welcome waits all with a heart in its hand,
My Devon! dear Devon! my beautiful land!
Blest region of valley, hill, woodland, and river,
I love thee, dear land, and shall love thee for ever.
Edward Capern
Edward Capern portrait - Photo copyright Burton Art Gallery (All Rights Reserved)
Portrait of Edward Capern - Photo copyright Burton Art Gallery (All Rights Reserved)
Devon author, Liz Shakespeare with musicians Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll
Devon Author, Liz Shakespeare with musicians Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll
The "Postman Poet" Edward Capern's Gravestone
Here lies The "Postman Poet" Edward Capern

Monday, 14 January 2019

Tarka Tales. Meandering beside the Marshes

This is Isley Marsh, the RSPB Nature Reserve just off the Tarka Trail beside the Taw/Torridge Estuary between Yelland and Fremington Quay. Visitor access is restricted to public footpaths, largely outside the reserve itself, but allowing expansive views across the estuary and the surrounding farmland. From here you can see across the estuary to Chivenor and Saunton Sands and the North Devon Biosphere..

It is an important haven in the busy estuary for undisturbed feeding and resting birds, especially the wintering flocks of ducks such as Teal and waders including significant numbers of Curlew, Greenshank and Dunlin. In recent years, numbers of little Egret have increased. 
 
An incredbly dull day on Sunday but we enjoyed the walk from Yelland to Fremington Quay. going past Isley Marsh we spotted two Spoonbills, a flock of Lapwing and a little Goldfinch. Further along the trail at Fremington Quay we saw 4 Oyster Catchers, 1 Curlew, 2 Shelduck and one Redshank. (Article photos credit Pat Adams 13 January 2019)
 
RSPB Isley Marsh Wildlife Refuge beside the Tarka Trail

RSPB Isley Marsh, North Devon. Photo copyright Pat Adams
RSPB Isley Marsh Saltmarsh and Mudflats beside the Taw/Torridge Estuary
Isley Marsh Notice Board. Photo credit Pat Adams

The Tarka Trail is popular with runners, walkers and cyclists. The section between Instow, Yelland and Fremington Quay is popular with birdwatchers. The Big Garden Birdwatch 2019 is from 26-28 January
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Saturday, 5 January 2019

North Devon Focus. Looking back on a colourful 2018

NORTH DEVON COAST AND COUNTRY CHRONICLE 2018.
A colourful reminder of the year around the Bideford Bay area and Exmoor.
Looking forward to a bright and beautiful 2019 on the North Devon Coast. Thanks for visiting and following.

Friday, 21 December 2018

Glad Tidings from Bideford

Season's Greetings from the North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle
Thank you for visiting
Here's hoping for another "Event"ful year in 2019
🎄🎅🤶Merry Christmas🎄🎅🤶
Happy Holidays
Glad  tidings from Bideford. Photo credit B. Adams
Santa Calls at Bideford - Photo credit B. Adams
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Explore the Coast and "Country"side of Bideford Bay with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour
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Wednesday, 19 December 2018

BIG SOUND FOR A BIG NIGHT. New Year's Eve Soul at the Pier House, Westward Ho!

Soul Intention are playing New Years Eve at the Pier House, Westward Ho! From 9pm. It is a FREE event
Soul Intention are playing New Years Eve at the Pier House, Westward Ho!
Soul Intention is an 11 piece soul band who play Stax & Atlantic soul classics from the 60's & 70's with a sprinkling of Motown. The band formed in 2016 having responded to a letter in the Gazette from bassist, Trevor Davis, who wanted to form a soul band.

Follow Soul Intention SW
Facebook 
YouTube 
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Based in South West U.K. Soul Intention Big Sound Soul Band is available for Functions, Festivals, Parties, Weddings or special event 
Tel: 01237 470268 or 01237 451450

Tuesday, 27 November 2018

North Devon Farmers in the Spotlight for Short Film Collection

Thanks to community film making organisation North Devon Moving Image (NDMI), a number of emerging documentary film makers will have the opportunity to create a unique collection of short films about farming in north Devon. 

Each of the seven commissioned films will focus on individual farms within North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which includes the North Devon Coast AONB designation and reaches to parts of Exmoor and Dartmoor.  The selected film makers have sought out engaging characters and fascinating stories from farms around the region including the life of a smallholder, farming with nature on the Hartland Peninsula to how a small local abattoir on the fringes of Exmoor has a positive impact on animal welfare and an inside story on women in farming at Hatherleigh.

“We were very keen to support this project because short films are a brilliant way of telling the story of farming today in these remote rural areas.” commented Jenny Carey-Wood, Manager of the North Devon Coast AONB who have helped to fund Down on the Farm “Our small grants are often used to help people better understand that the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are a living and working landscape, with farms and smallholdings playing a vital role in producing food, managing land for wildlife and as places for people to enjoy the stunning coast and countryside.”
Linda Mason from Southsea in Hampshire, has chosen to make her film about farmer Rose Manning “I was really excited to be selected for the Down on the Farm commission” Linda says “Devon is such a beautiful part of our country and I enjoy telling everyday stories.  Rose has been farming all her life and now even in her mid seventies she is still caring for the young cattle and supporting on the farm.  I will tell Rose’s story through her daily routines on the farm and in the kitchen baking, as she prepares food and reminisces about her life.  My film “Lifelong Farmer” will weave together archive material, intimate and personal recollections of being a woman in farming over many decades.  I look forward to visiting the farm over the year and learning more about the busy 'retired' life of a farmer.”

The films will be completed at the end of next year and will be available to view online at the NDMI website www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk and in the new social history gallery at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon.  In the meantime you will be able to keep up with news ‘from the field’ in a series of blog posts from the film makers which will be published on NDMI’s website and social media channels.
Linda Mason filmaker "Down on The Farm"
  Linda Mason film maker "Down on The Farm"
North Devon Farmers in the Spotlight for Short Film Collection
North Devon Farmers in the Spotlight for Short Film Collection

North Devon Farmers in the Spotlight for Short Film Collection

Monday, 12 November 2018

Clovelly celebrates the "Silver Darlings" for another year.

Clovelly Herring Festival always falls in November. It's the time of year when the historic village celebrates the coming of the great "Silver Darlings", better known as Herring. Clovelly celebrates and promotes this tasty, nutritious fish whilst supporting sustainable fishing.

The village always depended on the harvest of herring, caught in superb condition for a short season off this coast. Records go back over 400 years and in 1749 there were about a hundred herring boats in the port. When fishing was good, 9000 herring could be landed at one time. Those days of massive catches are long gone and these days there are just two herring fishermen, both employing sustainable fishing methods using only drift nets and long lines.

The Maritime historian and writer, Mike Smylie, will be attending with his "Kipperland" exhibition, which is devoted to the history of all things herring. Mike also turns the herring into delicate-tasting kippers and bloaters in his smokehouse for sale.

Flaxland joins the event with their exhibitions and demonstrations - an opportunity to discover how the flax plant is used to make a vast range of goods.

The quay kitchens will be serving a variety of delicious herring specialities along with beer tastings, local food and craft stalls.

Throughout the day there will be live music, street entertainers, face-painting and an exhibition of Clovelly herring fishing.

You can also learn how to handcraft bowls from sea debris at the 'Beach clean' bowl workshops. This is due to Clovelly's beach clean efforts to keep them free from ropes and nets that are harmful to wildlife and sea creatures. Washhouse Studio has been fully supplied with equipment from Beach Care and Keep Britain Tidy and hold organised beach cleans with the local general public. All the debris is collected and taken back to the studio so it can be re-used to make beautiful bowls.

This year The Marine Pioneers and the Blue Marine Pioneer Foundation will be showcasing their herring project and also offer an event-themed activity.
Another new addition this year will be the North Devon Hospice 3k Fun Run along Hobby Drive for the North Devon Hospice. To take part, please sign up online at www.northdevonhospice.org.uk or contact them on 01271 347232.

Clovelly Herring Festival - Photo copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)
Clovelly Picarooner. Photo copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)
Clovelly Picarooner 2011. Photo credit Pat Adams
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Clovelly Herring Festival - Photos Pat Adams North Devon Focus
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CLOVELLY HERRING FESTIVAL,
 Sunday, 18 November 2018
From 10 am until 4 pm
Clovelly Harbour
Contact: Tel: 01237 431781. www.clovelly.co.uk

Friday, 9 November 2018

Lest we forget

 In Remembrance

Remembrace. "The Unknown Soldier" in a field of poppies. Photo copyright Pat Adams
The stunning commemorative display at Rosemoor celebrating the centenary of the end of the First World War.
The "Unknown Soldier" (by Artist: George Hider) amidst one hundred ceramic Poppies (by Artist: Renee Kilburn)

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The Great War started on the 28th July 1914 and ended on 11th November 1918
Borough of Bideford Roll of Honour 1914-1918. Photo copyright Pat Adams
 For the Fallen
Extract of Poem by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)
published in The Times newspaper on 21 September 1914.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

About the Great War visit  - http://www.greatwar.co.uk

Wednesday, 7 November 2018

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)

 North Devon Focus. Out and About Autumn. Photo copyright Pat Adams (All rights reserved)
Shades of Autumn
North Devon Focus. Out and About Autumn. Photo copyright Pat Adams (All rights reserved)
Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)
North Devon Focus. Out and About Autumn. Photo copyright Pat Adams (All rights reserved)
Shades of Autumn
Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
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RHS Garden Rosemoor is open all year round, 
for opening times and special events
Tap here to visit website

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