Otterly in love at Valentines - public show fondness for Adopt a Species scheme

Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) is offering its popular adopt a species scheme this month suggesting to supporters that it is a great alternative gift for Valentines Day. The adopt a species scheme, launched in 2009 through the DWT website, www.devonwildlifetrust.org and allows people to support the Trust's conservation work in Devon, protecting habitats and species for future generations to enjoy. People can choose to 'adopt' from a list of five lovable species: dormouse, otter, dolphin, bat and hedgehog. With each £20 donation, purchasers will receive a soft toy of their chosen species along with a welcome letter, fact sheet, certificate, a postcard of the species, a fun activity book, a pack of six colouring pencils and an update letter after six months. DWT's Phoebe Grubb said: 'This is a great way for people to support our work - adopt a species makes the perfect gift for nature loving adults at this time of the year! The packs come with great little cuddly animals and are a really nice way to show your love for someone special.' The money raised through the scheme goes towards the costs of carrying out conservation work throughout the county benefiting these species and the habitats that they need to thrive. To adopt a species today, visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244.

Photo Otter copyright Darin Smith

Hartland Abbey Highlights. Wild Flowers and Woodland Walks

While winter winds bite and the first snow flurries settle on the frozen ground I thought it would be a good time to look back on some of the highlights of 2011. The sun definitely shone on Hartland Abbey in July when it was visited by the BBC Antiques Roadshow. The programme was aired on the 8th of January and attracted over 6 million viewers. There are a host of other events at Hartland Abbey including the annual Spring Wildflower Walks. I went to my first Snowdrop Sunday in February 2008 now Snowdrop Sundays, Daffodil and Bluebell Days are firmly fixed on the North Devon Coast and Country Calendar. Hartland Abbey, the ancestral home of the Stucley Family, is located in a sheltered steep-sided valley flanked by a fast running stream and ancient woodland. From the majestic house a long meadow sweeps down to Blackpool Mill Cove and the sea. On Open Days the public are allowed to use the private footpath which meanders down to the beach between this tranquil meadow and the woods. This is a great walk for four-legged friends and all generations of the family. The not so nimble can stick to the footpath while the more agile can venture up through the woods via designated paths to explore the Summer House and the Gazebo beyond. The Gazebo is perched on the hillside high above the South West Coast Path and Blackpool Mill Cottage, location for BBC1's film adaptation of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility". Blackpool Mill Cottage, became Barton Cottage and was, for a while, home to the Dashwoods. On Daffodil Sunday, a cold day in March we checked out the newly restored Summer House, and were delighted to find a log fire burning in this now inviting cosy hideaway. Although the big draw is the historic daffodils at this time of year there are also plenty of narcissus, primrose, dog violet and great swathes of pretty wood anemone. The ornamental cherry was flowering and huge buds were emerging on the old Rhododendron and Magnolia. On the way out we stopped to take shots of vibrant Spring Squill. April 25 and we are back for the Bluebell Walk. Spotted a Buzzard aloft, a little red Robin, small white, orange tip and speckled wood butterflies and heard a Peacock. Three donkeys loped down to see us off at the gate, black sheep were bleating on the upland while white sheep and lazy cattle snoozed on the meadow beside the Abbey River. The Summer House, now bathed in dappled light, is surrounded by fresh green woodland ferns and bluebells. The legendary bluebells, which stretch from the Walled Gardens to the sea, were magnificent carpeting the banks either side of the path, the blue haze continuing upwards through the woods. The Bluebells were accompanied by Red Campion, Ransom (Wild Garlic), Lesser Stitchwort, Speedwell and Dog Violet. Down at the beach a loud rolling surf was crashing on the rocks. Amazingly wild flowers thrive on this windswept coast. Thrift Sea Pinks and Kidney Vetch poke out from the crags and the cliff meadow is dotted with Sea Campion, Devils-bit Scabious, Daisies and Lesser Celandine. Blackpool Mill Cove sits between Hartland Quay and Hartland Point on the South West Coast Path and the coastal hills are covered in golden Gorse at this time of year. After the bracing walk back up the meadow, beside the Abbey River, it was time for a well-earned cup of tea. There was a selection of homemade cakes, cream teas and our pasties arrived piping hot from the Abbey Kitchen Aga. Happy Days!

Don’t miss the next episode of BBC Antiques Roadshow from Hartland Abbey on 26th February

Hartland Abbey Wild Flower Walks 2012
11th and 12th February 2012 from 11 am-4 pm Snowdrop Weekend
Saturday 17th and Sunday, 18 March 2012, from 11am-4pm Daffodil Days and Mothering Sunday
Sunday 22 to Sunday 29 April 2012 from 11am to 5pm Bluebell Week
*All cream teas and home-made cakes served in the old Abbey kitchens in aid of St. Nectan's Church
Visit Hartland Abbey website for all special event information, House and Garden Opening times.
Article by Pat Adams North Devon Focus
Explore the Hartland Heritage Coast with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

James Morrison nominated for Best British Male/Video /new single "Slave to the Music"

James Morrison has been nominated for Best British Male at the 2012 BRIT awards, an accolade he has been nominated for twice before, and won in 2007. James said: “I’m really happy to be nominated for The Brits again this year, it’s going to be a great night. It’s always good to get that level of recognition for your work, and there are some great artists in there too. ‘The Awakening’ is such an intensely personal album to me, I’m just pleased people are sharing that and enjoying it so much, and the fans are giving me such incredible feedback and support.” His new single ‘Slave To The Music’ is released on February 20. The up tempo track is the third to be taken from his platinum selling album ‘The Awakening’. The song originally came to James in a dream, where he envisaged Michael Jackson singing the main hook. The Awakening was number one for two weeks when it was released last year. It also contains the singles ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ and the stunning duet with Jessie J ‘Up’ – which have sold over 300k copies.
Watch James Morrison ‘Slave To The Music’ video

James will tour the UK later this month. All dates are now SOLD OUT:
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012
Saturday 28 Jan Belfast Ulster Hall
Sunday 29 Jan Dublin Olympia
Tuesday 31 Jan Manchester O2 Apollo
Wednesday 1 Feb Manchester O2 Apollo
Friday 3 Cambridge Corn Exchange
Saturday 4 Southampton Guildhall
Monday 6 Leicester De Montford Hall
Tuesday 7 Birmingham O2 Academy
Thursday 9 London Hammersmith Apollo
Friday 10 London Hammersmith Apollo
Sunday 12 Southend Cliff Pavilion
Monday 13 Bristol Colston Hall
Wednesday 15 Glasgow O2 Academy
Friday 17 Leeds O2 Academy
Saturday 18 Nottingham Royal Centre
Sunday 19 Newcastle O2 Academy
www.jamesmorrisonmusic.com
Acclaim for ‘The Awakening’
“A TERRIFIC THIRD ALBUM, BURSTING WITH EXPERTLY CRAFTED SONGS” – The Times
“HIS SULTRY VOICE MAKES GROWN WOMEN WEAK AT THE KNEES” – Heat
“A DELICIOUSLY SOULFUL COLLECTION OF SONGS” - Daily Express
“POSITIVELY JOYFUL” – Mojo