Edenmore Nursing Home, Ilfracombe - Fulfilling a Meaningful Wish for Robert Hearn

Robert Hearn has lived at Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe since March 2023 and sadly lives with advanced cancer. In a conversation with one of Edenmore’s care assistants, Carol, Robert wistfully said that a wish before his next journey was a simple one, to have a pint of his favourite cider with his friends in his old local pub The Village Inn in Westward Ho!. 

So Carol and Gayle, Edenmore’s Home Manager, didn’t hesitate to make arrangements! Timing for the 45 minute journey was perfect as the home had recently bought a new car specifically for residents, who are fondly referred to as family members, so this was momentous also as Robert was first to have a run out in it! 

First step was for Gayle to contact Roberts’ closest friend, Peter Mills, who then arranged for other friends of Robert to meet in the pub. As Robert entered The Village Inn,” the sheer emotion was indescribable” says Gayle who went along with Robert and Carol, “literally all of the pub welcomed him, the love shown was just beautiful, the familiarity for Robert, sat at his usual table, with his favourite bird magazine ready to read, and the most important part a pint of cider! 

Carol and Gayle was there to support Robert and also to make memories, “this is why I work in social care, this is my purpose, some call this person-centred care but to me it’s simply about seeing a person and doing what’s in my heart which is simply being compassionate”. Part of the support in the home for Robert is for eating and drinking and Gayle said with a smile on her face “at one point I had to support the pint of cider whilst Robert was drinking, he joked that he thought I was taking it off him and asked if he could have another one, he chuckled for a long time when I said I can’t tell you how many to have, that’s your choice, so he continued with a couple more!”

After a pint (or two) Robert, Gayle and Carol headed down to the promenade for a stroll, again something Robert used to enjoy doing after a pint when living in the area. Gayle continued “I thought walking in to the pub was emotional but the car journey back was another level of emotion, Robert cried for most of the journey but happy emotions, he just kept repeating thank you, thank you, and how overwhelmed he was with his friends turning up to see him.”

The Team at Edenmore are there not only to support Robert to be comfortable and to show nothing but love and compassion during this time leading to his next journey, but to ensure Robert still lives with dignity, encourages independence and to ensure Robert is able to make choices, his choices, not confined to any society norms that may be perceived during this journey, he has lived life and still remains living life until he chooses not to.

The support on the Westward Ho! Community Facebook page has been explosive, just evidencing the love and support this truly remarkable gent is surrounded by.

 Robert and friends at the The Village Inn in Westward Ho!.

Young Robert holding a baby badger and a baby fox

👀👀👀

 To find out more about Edenmore Nursing Home please visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

March Highlights. The Burton celebrates local talent of all ages in their latest exhibitions

The popular Friends Annual Open and The Annual Schools exhibitions have opened their doors at the Burton Art Gallery. The galleries are bursting with artwork from an array of local talented artists and our next generation of artists. A feast for the eyes, the shows are not to be missed!

The Annual Schools Exhibition plays a crucial role in shaping the future of culture by nurturing and encouraging the young artists of tomorrow. This year the show has filled gallery one with vibrancy, colour and creativity; celebrating the talents of our next generation of artists while also celebrating our inspiring teachers in the schools of Torridge and beyond.

Featuring hundreds of work by young people aged 5 to 18 years who attend local primary and secondary schools, the exhibition is a firm favourite that never fails to delight and impress. It’s an opportunity for aspiring artists to showcase their talents as well as receive recognition and support, and gain valuable experience in the arts. With generous sponsorship from The North Devon Arts Society, the exhibition encourages young artists to strive for excellence with the opportunity to win prizes for the most innovative and original artwork.

Gallery two showcases The Friends Annual Open exhibition. A calendar favourite the show is organised as a fundraising event by the Friends of the Burton, offering an opportunity for local artists, both amateur and professional, to exhibit alongside each other. Featuring an eclectic mix of print, paintings, textiles, ceramics and more.

The work of the Burton at Bideford is supported by the dedication, hard work and enthusiasm of the Friends of the Burton Art Gallery. The Friends are a separate charity that support and enhance the Burton’s work. The Friends of the Burton get involved in fundraising, sponsorship of events and acquisitions, and promotion of The Burton throughout the region.

The Burton at Bideford is lucky enough to work with a number of key partner organisations, generous artists and local business people who help provide support for us to achieve our daily work and future ambitions. As a registered charity, The Burton rely on the kindness of others to help us continue to provide excellent exhibitions, events and facilities. Donations enable us to grow our exhibition and learning programmes, build our collections and develop the technology offered at the Burton.
 

Both exhibitions are on display until April 7

👀👀👀

The Burton Art Gallery & Museum, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2QQ
Tel: 01237 471455 www.theburton.org

Facebook | Instagram

Mon-Sat 10am-4pm | Sun 11am-4pm Admission is free

April Highlights. Unleash Your Creativity at The Stitching 4 All Show!

This spring, the Stitching 4 All show returns to Westpoint Arena from Thursday, April 4th to Saturday, April 6th.

This year's show features over 150 exhibitors, 80+ daily workshops, and live demonstrations. Stitching 4 All makes a grand return, offering exclusive dressmaking and stitching classes which gives a unique chance to meet and learn from renowned dress designers. Also, delve into our extensive selection of fabric and needlecraft suppliers including the wonderful Doughty fabrics.

Show features also include:-

• a stunning quilt exhibition from the SouthWest Quilters,

• textile displays from South Devon Stitchers

• Jaqui Parkinson Textile Artist will be exhibiting her amazing embroidered ‘Tree of Life’ panels recently displayed at Bath Abbey and on a UK Tour

With free car parking, alongside the convenience of on-site restaurants and cafés, It promises to be a delightful day out for crafters and families alike.

Advance tickets are available online at www.craft4crafters.co.uk, with a £2 discount on the standard price of £11 for adults. Concession tickets are just £10, and only £8 when bought in advance. Children under 16 attend free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

 

Jaqui Parkinson Textile Artist's embroidered ‘Tree of Life’ panels 

 

 

Haggis, Neeps & Tatties at Ilfracombe Care Home

Edenmore Nursing Home, a leading provider of compassionate elderly care in Ilfracombe recently hosted a vibrant and memorable Burns Night celebration for its team members and residents, who are fondly referred to as family members. The event, held on the 25^th of January brought the spirit of Scotland to the care home with traditional Scottish cuisine and day of togetherness.

Both family members and team members enthusiastically embraced the traditions of Burns Night, delighting in a thoughtfully selected menu showcasing iconic Scottish cuisine. The centerpiece of the festivities was the presentation of the timeless Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties, bought from local Ilfracombe Butcher Mike Turton, served on a dining table adorned with Scottish decorations, accompanied by music and poetry.

The objective of the day was to inspire positive sentiments and emotions while also commemorating the national day for individuals with Scottish ancestry.

Edenmore’s approach to life recognises the values, beliefs and identity of each person. Each person that may need support is unique and by understanding one’s life history, one’s journey in life, by striving to be a true continuation of home, the team at Edenmore create a place where everyone feels safe and never alone

To find out more about Edenmore Nursing Home 

please visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Shining Light. North Devon Winter skies.

Despite named storms, high winds and torrential rain, the light shone through the window this Winter. Those dismal skies were interspersed with some colour full evening and morning light. Starting with the Cold Moon, aka the Long Night Moon, the first full moon after the Winter Solstice and ending with the Wolf Moon. 

Love nature - always expect the unexpected. Photo clips by Pat Adams North Devon Focus. Relax, reboot, reconnect while you watch this quick snapshot of the January skies.

#northdevon #sky #sunsets #sundown

Pat Adams' North Devon Focus. My North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle

Facebook 😊 - Flickr

Instagram - Youtube

Explore the Coast and' Country' side of  Bideford Bay and Beyond 

>North Devon Focus Website 

Join the world's largest garden wildlife survey.

The new year has quite literally stormed in with lashing rain and winds. Storm Isha and Jocelyn caused havoc  within 2 weeks of each other in January. There have been ten named storms since last September so nature needs a helping hand. Anyone whose seen my posts across the web and social media will know I'm an avid birdwatcher out and about North Devon and Exmoor but also love taking photos of the coming and goings in my garden.

I can now list the Goldfinches as regular visitors on the feeder along with Sparrows, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Blue Tits, Doves, Dunnock, Great Tits, Blackbirds, Robin, Wood Pigeons and a very camera-shy Wren. At this time of year we also have daily ravenous marauders, the Starlings. Depen ding on the time of year we also have fleeting visits from a Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Jay, a male Bull Finch and a pair of Siskins. Its great to know that my messy garden is home to them during the nesting season. You can see a variety of photos of fledglings on my flickr. 

I  regularly submit my results the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch each year which this year is from 26-28th January so here is an opportunity to help the RSPB understand how the birds are doing.

"Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free and for everyone. And you don’t need a garden to take part! Counting birds from your balcony, or your local park...You can sign up for your free guide and let's look out for birds together on 26-28 January." Find out more at (rspb.org.uk)

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is from 26-28th January 2024. They are counting on you to count the birds in your garden. Click here to find out more

👀👀👀

The links to general information or products listed on this page are for your convenience. NB If you purchase through any affiliate link it may (or most probably not) result in a small commission. The merchant only knows you have visited this site if your Cookies are enabled. However we do hope the links help you with advice and general information on caring for birds and wildlife in your garden while supporting to the RSPB. 

The RSPB offers a great range of high-quality, environmentally friendly products. We sell high quality bird food, feeders, nestboxes, and unique homeware items. Save nature while you shop.

>RSPB

>Shop Bird Food>Bird Houses and Nestboxes

 >Shop Books

 >Shop Wildlife 

>RSPB Shop Sale

👀👀👀

Pat Adams' North Devon Focus. My North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle

Facebook 😊 - Flickr

Instagram - Youtube

Explore the Coast and' Country' side of  Bideford Bay and Beyond 

>North Devon Focus Website 

Edenmore Nursing Home Fosters Intergenerational Connection

Edenmore Nursing Home Fosters Intergenerational Connection as Students from Ilfracombe Junior School visits

Edenmore Nursing Home, based in Ilfracombe North Devon, invites students into their home as part of their Intergenerational Linking Programme which aims to bring together different generations within the community. Students from Ilfracombe Junior School had the unique opportunity to visit Edenmore, fostering meaningful connections between the young and elderly as part of the homes commitment to community engagement.

During the visit, students engaged in various activities with the Residents, who are fondly referred to as family members, including storytelling, arts and crafts, and even a sing-a-long, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and joy. The interactions were not only enjoyable for the children but also had a positive impact on the family members.

Home Manger Gayle said, “It was so emotional to see the family members engaging with the children and one of the family members even made a little speech to the children thanking them for such an enjoyable time together.”

Edenmore’s intergenerational linking programme aligns with theircommitment to the community and creating an environment that fosters meaningful connections. The collaboration between Edenmore and Ilfracombe Junior School highlights a shared commitment to bridging generational gaps and bringing a sense of unity within our community. The intergenerational linking program not only provides valuable experiences for the students but also enriches the lives of the family members by offering them companionship and shared memories.

 To find out more about Edenmore Nursing Home visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

 

Joy to the World. Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays

I'm sending "Joy to the World" and Season's Greetings to all my followers. Thank you so much for visiting, commenting and liking the pictures and posts on my North Devon Focus Website, Blog, Facebook, Flickr and Instagram. Thank you for sharing your news and local events. 

It's been another tough year for everyone so I think we all deserve a little sparkle. Hope this little Robin Red Breast brings you joy.

🎄🎄🎅🎅Merry Christmas🎅🎅 🎄🎄

Here's to a happier, healthy, peaceful 2024

STAY SAFE 

Best wishes Pat Adams

🎄 >Website

🎄 >Blog

🎄 >Facebook page

🎄 >Flickr

🎄 >Instagram

🎄 >Youtube

------

National Robin Day - 21st December
In 2015 the Robin was crowned as Britain's national bird

New Exhibition at the Burton Art Gallery. 'Water Vessels – Sampling the Torridge' Ceramics by Rupert Johnstone

A new exhibition of contemporary ceramics by South West based artist Rupert Johnstone opens at the Burton on 16 December.

In 2022, Rupert Johnstone was commissioned by the Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum to respond to the environment and climate change through the medium of ceramics. The result is a fascinating and visually striking exhibition of clay pots with significant local relevance.

The exhibition is the culmination of a year-long project which saw the artist walk the length of the River Torridge collecting water and clay from which to make a series of ceramic vessels and glazes. What emerges is a document of his journey along the banks of the river and a poignant commentary on the environment, geology and ecology of the River Torridge from its source in North West Devon to the estuarine mouth in Bideford.

Based just outside Exeter, Rupert Johnstone is an artist, maker and teacher who works principally in clay and exhibits his work widely in craft galleries both within the UK and abroad. This is the artist’s second collaboration with the Burton at Bideford.

The exhibition is open daily from 16 December and runs until February 2024. Entrance is free

--------------

The Burton’s Environmental Commission

Water Vessels – Sampling the Torridge

Ceramics by Rupert Johnstone

16 December 2023 - 3 March 2024

FREE entry

----------------

THE BURTON AT BIDEFORD

Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ 

Email: info@theburton.org

Tel: 01237 471455
Website: www.burtonartgallery.co.uk

Instagram/Facebook @BurtonatBideford

Heart-warming Wedding Anniversary celebrations at Heanton Nursing Home

Husband and Wife, Dorothy and Anthony Haynes recently celebrated their remarkable 38th wedding anniversary surrounded by love, joy, and cherished memories. The couple marked this significant milestone with a romantic meal prepared by the team at Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple.

Heanton Nursing Home, known for its compassionate and supportive environment, played host to this heart-warming celebration, bringing together Team and family members to honour the couple's heart-warming love story.

The team at Heanton Nursing Home said, "We are honoured to celebrate this amazing milestone with Anthony and his wife Dorothy. Their love story is an inspiration to all of us. It's a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the importance of human connection."

Dorothy expressed her gratitude for the love and support they have received from the team at Heanton by saying, " We were truly spoilt on our 38th Anniversary. They made what I thought would be a different Anniversary into a special memory.” The celebration not only highlighted the enduring love between Anthony and his wife Dorothy but also showcased the importance of creating a supportive and caring home.

Heanton Nursing Home is a nursing home based in Barnstaple, North Devon. It’s approach to life recognises the values, beliefs and identity of each person. Each person that may need support is unique and by understanding one’s life history, one’s journey in life, by striving to be a true continuation of home, the team at Heanton Nursing Home create a place where everyone feels safe and never alone.

 

Dorothy and Anthony Haynes celebrate their remarkable 38th wedding anniversary

Art Workshop at Heanton Nursing Home Inspires Creativity and Honors Remembrance Day

Residents at Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple, who are fondly referred to as family members, engaged in a heartwarming art workshop, organised by the team, as they commemorated Remembrance Day by creating vibrant poppy-shaped paper paintings as part of a mosaic. The workshop, brought joy, creativity, and a sense of shared remembrance to the family members. The poppy-shaped paper paintings served as a unique way of self-expression, allowing family members to explore their creativity while honoring the heartfelt occasion of Remembrance Day.

Art therapy is not about creating masterpieces but rather about the process and the emotional journey it takes our family members on. Through painting, drawing or even sculpting our family members can unlock hidden memories and express their thoughts and feelings.

A team member at Heanton said, "The art workshop was a beautiful and uplifting experience for everyone involved. It provided an opportunity for family members to express themselves artistically"

Heanton Nursing Home is a nursing home based in Barnstaple, North Devon. It’s approach to life recognises the values, beliefs and identity of each person. Each person that may need support is unique and by understanding one’s life history, one’s journey in life, by striving to be a true continuation of home, the team at Heanton Nursing Home create a place where everyone feels safe and never alone.

--------

To find out more about Heanton Nursing Home visit www.heantonnursinghome.com

Alan Edward William's Inspirational Journey Through Valor and Service

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Country falls silent. It is a day of reflection, a day where nations pause to remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives. In the silent moments of remembrance, we come together to pay tribute to the heroes who have walked the path of duty and pay tribute to those who are no longer with us today. Their stories are a testament to the strength and courage our nation has and we are honoured to share with you Alan Edward William’s story, a man with such dedication to his service and who now lives at Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple, North Devon.

Alan's journey through life had been a remarkable one, born on the 11th June 1928 in the bustling City of Cardiff, his name connected him to great aviators and royalty. On that very day, Alan Cobham a famous aviator and Edward Prince of Wales were visiting Cardiff hence why he was called Alan Edward by his parents. His early years was filled with so much love and joy, growing up with his older sister, Joan.

After leaving school, Alan found himself working at Cardiff Docks as a riveter and as he reached the age of 17, he made the decision to join the First Battalion Welsh Guards in 1946. Alan's military service spanned 22 years, and he cherished every moment of it. He participated in prestigious ceremonial duties, including Trooping the Colour, changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and even lining the route for Winston Churchill's Funeral. He had lived in various locations during his service, from Surrey to Cardiff, London to Malaysia, with a brief stop in Borneo while in Malaya.

Alan’s life took an unexpected turn when he met his wife, Gladys during a holiday in Appledore. They married in 1950 and went on to have four children: David, Teresa, Gwyn, and Ceinwin (known as Kim), each born in different corners of the world. Life abroad had been a rich tapestry of experiences for Alan and his wife Gladys. In Libya and Malaysia, Alan enjoyed swimming and exploring Roman cities, he especially loved savouring new cuisines. In Malaya, he developed a passion for collecting butterflies and mounting them in glass display cases.

After retiring from the army in the early 1990s, Alan took on a new role as a security guard at Llanwern steelworks in Newport, while residing in Chepstow. He remained closely connected to the royal world as a Yeoman of the Guards, participating in events like Charles and Diana's wedding and the opening of Parliament.

As Alan and his beloved wife Gladys embraced retirement, they embarked on numerous adventures together, creating cherished memories around the globe. Alan's pride shone through in his possession of a Royal Victoria Medal, a symbol of his dedication and service.

Alan and Gladys family continued to grow, as they welcomed six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren into their life. Though Alan had faced the loss of his beloved wife, Gladys in December 2020 and the sudden loss of his sight in 2021, his brave spirit remained unwavering.

Alan's life has been full of remarkable experiences and unwavering dedication, and although Alan now lives with Dementia at Heanton Nursing Home, his commitment to his services still shines through. With the support from the team, Alan is able to maintain his disciplined routine, including having a clean shave every day, a practice he has upheld throughout his life. This seemingly simple act of shaving holds great significance, as it was a vital part of his military routine. For someone with Dementia, the familiarity of this daily ritual is crucial, as it provides a sense of continuity and comfort. Each person at Heanton will have different support needs, different life story, and by understanding this life history, we are able to create a home that enables our family members to live a true continuation of life.

For Alan, Heanton is not just a place of residence, but a home where his commitment to his service is remembered and celebrated by everyone around him. Within these memories lies the essence of who Alan is, a testament to a life lived passionately through his years of service for his country.

To find out more about Heanton visit our website at www.heantonnursinghome.com

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Project takes flight to save rare butterflies

A leading Devon-based conservation charity is hoping to turn around the fortunes of four of the county's rarest butterflies.

The Devon Fritillary Recovery Project is the work of Devon Wildlife Trust. Its aim is to help struggling populations of high brown, pearl-bordered, small pearl-bordered and marsh fritillary butterflies.

All have seen their populations shrink dramatically in recent decades due to changes in farming, loss of habitat and climate change. The high brown fritillary, for example, has seen its numbers crash by 96% and is now one of the UK's 'most threatened species'. 

The new project, which is set to run for 2 years, is receiving support from Natural England's Species Recovery Programme Capital Grant Scheme. The Species Recovery Programme (SRP), which Natural England has been operating for more than thirty years, focusses on reducing the risk of extinction and promoting the recovery of our most threatened species, through bespoke targeted action for these species. The Programme has been enhanced through the new Species Recovery Programme Capital Grants Scheme (SRPCGS) launched in April 2023, driving nature's recovery through collaboration with partner organisations.

A winter of butterfly restoration work will now begin on land managed by Devon Wildlife Trust. Staff and volunteers will be working on 122 hectares – about the same size as 160 football pitches – across 12 of the charity's nature reserves. These include:

• Blackadon nature reserve, Dart Valley nature reserve, Emsworthy Mire and Dunsford nature reserve (Dartmoor)
• Teigngrace Meadow nature reserve (near Bovey Tracey)
• Marsland nature reserve (near Hartland)
• Dunsdon nature reserve, Meshaw Moor nature reserve, Vealand Farm nature reserve, Veilstone nature reserve and Volehouse Moor nature reserve (all near Holsworthy)
• Rackenford Moor nature reserve (near Tiverton)

Jenny Cawson is Devon Fritillary Recovery Project Officer. Jenny said:

"Devon Wildlife Trust's nature reserves offer some of the last homes to our struggling butterflies, so it's vital that we work hard to keep them in good condition. The launch of our Devon Fritillary Recovery Project signals the start of a huge effort to not only stabilise the populations of these rare species but to restore their numbers. Our goal is for their numbers to grow, and populations spread across the wider Devon countryside. The work we'll be able to do during this project will leave a positive legacy which will last for years to come."

Key among the tasks for the charity will be to manage the levels of scrub and gorse across the 12 nature reserves. Helping staff and volunteers will be a new 'robo-flail' – a remote controlled machine which is able to venture into steep and difficult to get to corners of the Trust's wildlife havens.

Jenny Cawson said:

"The robo-flail will prove an enormous help. It can go where it's unsafe or impossible for staff to go, especially on very steep slopes. Our aim is not to remove all bracken and gorse from our reserves, but to ensure that there's a better balance between scrubby and open areas. This is just what butterflies need to thrive."

Other parts of the project will see areas of wildflower-rich Culm grassland meadows restored, plus an extensive monitoring effort counting the numbers of butterflies from the four key fritillary species. These measurements will act as a check on the success of the project, monitoring their numbers over a series of summers.

High brown fritillary: one of the rare butterflies the project is helping. Photo credit Chris Root

 ------------------

Devon Wildlife Trust is the county's leading environmental charity, with more than 36,000 members. The charity manages 60 nature reserves across Devon, including a range of beautiful landscapes such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and heaths. Devon Wildlife Trust relies on charitable donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the general public to raise more than £5million every year. Money raised is spent maintaining our work for wildlife conservation and education in Devon, for present and future generations. More at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois opens at the Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum this November

A new exhibition opening at the Burton includes sculptures, prints and drawings by the acclaimed French-American artist Louise Bourgeois. Eight decades of intense creativity firmly established Louise Bourgeois as a giant of 20th century art. Through this exhibition, the Burton at Bideford makes her ground-breaking work freely available to the people of North Devon for the first time.

ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois opens at the Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum on Friday 17 November, 6-8pm, and runs until 11 February 2024. Admission is free.

Born in Paris in 1911, Bourgeois settled in New York in 1938, where she remained for the rest of her life, continuing to make art until her death at the age of 98. Her endlessly inventive work, inspired by her memories and experiences, spanned monumental installations, figurative sculptures, fabric collages, and drawings. She is perhaps best known for the large-scale spider sculptures that she produced in the last decades of her life, including one she created for the opening of Tate Modern in 2000.

Bourgeois’s art was closely bound up with her life, and she used artmaking as a way to make sense of her experiences. Her sculpture, drawing, and writing are characterised by emotional honesty, and she reworked her ideas in different forms and materials including marble, bronze, latex, and fabric, compelled by the need to make and re-make.

This exhibition focuses on works produced during the last 20 years of her life, a period of extraordinary creativity, during which Bourgeois re-examined many of her lifelong concerns to create a body of powerful new work exploring identity, gender, childhood, family and motherhood. Personal, provocative and raw, Bourgeois’s work reaches us with a powerful immediacy more than a decade after her death.

ARTIST ROOMS presents the work of international artists in solo exhibitions drawn from a national touring collection jointly owned by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland. This exhibition is drawn from the ARTIST ROOMS collection and includes works on loan from The Easton Foundation and Tate. This is the Burton at Bideford’s third collaboration with Tate and National Galleries of Scotland through the ARTIST ROOMS programme, and follows presentations of internationally renowned artists Richard Long (2014) and Diane Arbus (2018).

Warren Collum, Interim Co-Director of the Burton, said:

“Working in partnership with Tate and National Galleries of Scotland through the ARTIST ROOMS programme for the third time to present one of the twentieth century's most influential female sculptors, Louise Bourgeois, is a unique opportunity.

This show not only celebrates art but also emphasises the need to bring culture to rural areas, as well as putting a light on the strength and ingenuity of women in the creative world.”

The ARTIST ROOMS programme provides support for young people to get involved in creative projects, discover more about art and artists, and learn new skills. A Burton Youth Collective will be supported through ARTIST ROOMS by Art Fund and Henry Moore Foundation, providing local teenagers with the opportunity to explore a career in the arts, experience life behind the scenes of an arts organisation, and work alongside practising artists. Sessions are open to young people aged 13-19 years. Places are limited and anyone interested is advised to contact the gallery to check availability and register their interest.

Louise Bourgeois Spirals 2005
ARTIST ROOMS Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by Artist Rooms Foundation 2013
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2023. Photo © Tate

Louise Bourgeois 10am is When You Come to Me 2006
ARTIST ROOMS Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by Artist Rooms Foundation 2013
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2023. Photo © Tate

THE BURTON AT BIDEFORD

Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ 

Email: info@theburton.org

Tel: 01237 471455
Website: www.burtonartgallery.co.uk

Instagram/Facebook @BurtonatBideford

New community award will help struggling wildlife

A leading Devon conservation charity has launched a new award to highlight the wonderful work local community groups are doing to encourage struggling nature.

The Wilder Communities Award is the idea of Devon Wildlife Trust. The inaugural award has been made recently to an East Devon community.

Awards are open to everyone in Devon – from groups of allotment holders and workplace employees to residents’ associations, schools and care home communities.

Staff at the conservation charity are keen to stress that the scheme is not a competition. Instead, applications will be reviewed by Devon Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Communities Team. The application process is open now and can be completed on-line via the Trust’s website. Applicants can find lots of guidance, examples and ideas about how to help local wildlife.

Applications to the Wilder Community application process is free.

 

The Trust’s Wilder Communities Team are especially keen to hear from Devon communities who are working for nature in several ways, including:

• Creating space for nature: providing more food, water and homes for wildlife.

• Protecting the local environment: working to protect rivers and streams, to improve soil health, and reduce waste and pollution.

• Connecting local people with nature: bringing local communities together so that they can discover, learn and connect with wildlife.

Each Wilder Communities Award will be made for 12 months, but communities can look to re-new year-on-year. The schemes organisers hope that this will encourage communities to develop their wildlife plans over time, making them more ambitious and increasing their positive impact.

Katie Wilkinson is Devon Wildlife Trust Wilder Communities Team Lead. Katie said:

‘’We have been inspired by the hundreds communities across Devon who are leading amazing projects to help wildlife where they live, learn, work, or socialise. So, we have launched a brand-new award to celebrate their efforts.

There is so much to be hopeful for when we see so many people dedicating their time to help nature’s recovery. From holding environmental festivals to running community science projects or managing a local greenspace for wildlife, and campaigning to get swift nesting boxes installed in a town centre. When communities work together on a common cause they can achieve great things.

Thinking globally and acting locally will help us build a sustainable future where nature and people can thrive’’.

 

The first group to be designated as a Wilder Community is the East Devon village of Chardstock. Gill Keam is leader of the Chardstock Wilder Community. Gill reacted to becoming a Wilder Community pioneer and said:

“I feel so incredibly fortunate to have lived in this beautiful location within the Blackdown Hills for over 23 years. Being surrounded by all the treasures that this rural location has to offer is wonderful.

Our local community already does so much in support of the nature on our doorstep and in relation to connecting to it. So, when the opportunity to recognise and celebrate these connections was presented by the Devon Wildlife Trust’s new Wilder Communities Award, it felt like the ideal opportunity to bring our community even closer to nature.

Using our application form as a springboard, we have been able to acknowledge so much of the fabulous work already being done locally, and to set ourselves some challenges to do even more over the coming months and years.”

 

The Wilder Communities application process is open now. People and communities who want to discover more about what it takes to be a Wilder Community should visit the Devon Wildlife Trust website https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wilder-communities

Community members of Chardstock village celebrate receiving their Wilder Communities Award.

 Far left is Gill Keam (Chardstock community). Middle (crouching) Katie Wilkinson, Devon Wildlife Trust Wilder Communities Lead

 ---------------------

About Devon Wildlife Trust. Nature is in trouble and Devon Wildlife Trust’s mission stems from the need for urgent change and our belief that, if enough people care and act, we can bring nature back and do it on a grand scale. For 60 years, we have been at the forefront of protecting wildlife and the wild places that make Devon so special and believe, passionately, that a better world is one where nature and people thrive together. We are the only Devon focused charity that exists to protect all wildlife in Devon, on land and at sea. Homepage | Devon Wildlife Trust

Contemporary Artist, Louise Bourgeois coming to the Burton at Bideford in November

French-American artist Louise Bourgeois is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential figures of modern and contemporary art, with a career spanning eight decades from the 1930s to 2010. 

ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois brings together works which she made during the last twenty years of her life, a period of extraordinary creativity.

Bourgeois’s art was often autobiographical, exploring themes such as childhood, family, motherhood, identity and gender. She reworked her ideas in different forms and materials, creating large-scale sculpture and installation, painting, printmaking, drawing and textiles. Both biographical and universal, Bourgeois’s work reaches us with a powerful immediacy more than a decade after her death.

This is the Burton at Bideford’s third collaboration with Tate and National Galleries of Scotland through the ARTIST ROOMS programme, and follows presentations of internationally renowned artists Richard Long (2014) and Diane Arbus (2018)

Exhibition launch: Friday 17 November, 6-8pm

Join Burton at Bideford and special guests from Tate to celebrate the exhibition opening

 The Burton Art Gallery & Museum, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2QQ

Current & upcoming exhibitions >