Caught on Camera. Clovelly Lobster & Crab Feast 2012

Sea mist and soft gentle rain added to the charm of Clovelly Harbour for the annual Lobster and Crab Feast. A remarkably windless day for the North Devon Coast, the colourful pennants and bunting fluttered limply on the beached not bobbing boats beneath the harbour wall. Clovelly events are always fun and there was a never-ending stream of folk making their way down to the already crowded Quay where there were an assortment of  arts and craft products on sale including hand-made ceramics, decorative plaques, holistic products and jewellery along with the RSPB and the National Lobster Hatchery promotional stalls.  Local fayre made by local folk, traditional award winning beer brewed down the A39 at Abbotsham, Cornish sea salt, pancakes, scrumptious hand-made cakes and savoury tarts. The local fishermen had caught a bumper harvest of crustaceans and the Red Lion bar and restaurant were packed with diners tucking into lobster, crab and seafood platters washed down with a free glass of bubbly. The highlight of the day was the Cookery Competition for the best lobster or crab dish, which was filmed by STV Productions for a new BBC2 cookery programme "Country Show Cook Off". In addition to the local entrants, TV celebrity chefs, Jun Tanaka and Galt Blackiston, secretly entered their dishes and for the first time, after four other UK events, were delighted to be awarded first and second places by the judges. Folk music was provided by Maggie Duffy & Mike Weed, Steve Tyler & Andy Clarke and The O'Marleys whilst the kids were kept entertained by Scallywag the pirate, balloon modelling, face painting, magic and some bang on AONB craft activities. As the tide was out families could also explore the beach and the waterfall beyond the Lifeboat House. Catch of the day deep fried crab balls, lobster salads, mackerel and moules mariniere, the “Perham Line” stretched all the way down to the end of the Quay. (Article by Pat Adams)

Caught on Camera. BBC Filming the action in Clovelly

Cookery Competition Judges: Dom Boothroyd, of the National Lobster Hatchery, The Rev. Shirley Henderson, vicar of Clovelly All Saints Church, Felicity Sylvester, cookery demonstrator and director of Brilliant Fish and Clovelly's Harbour Master and fisherman, Stephen Perham.

The event was in aid of the National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow, who exhibited some of their baby lobsters prior to releasing them into Clovelly Bay at the end of the day. In addition to the Prize Draw income, Clovelly Estate will donate £400 towards their re-stocking project.

Don't worry if you missed it make a date in your diary for the Clovelly Herring Festival, 18th November 2012
What's on next at Clovelly

"In Search of England"

H.V. Morton's best selling book, "In Search of England", was published in 1926. In it the journalist and travel writer described Clovelly as"just too quaint" and amazingly little has changed in almost 100 years since. The broadcaster, John McCarthy, has been following H.V. Morton's travels and has recently recorded a programme at Clovelly, which includes interviews with celebrity actor, Joss Ackland CBE, The Hon. John Rous, owner of the estate, Stephen Perham, Harbour Master and Niall Taylor, member of the H.V. Morton Society and author of website http://www.hvmorton.co.uk/. The programme will be broadcast on Radio 4 at 11am on Friday, 21 September. Don't Miss it http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/programmes/schedules/fm

Joss Ackland CBE, Stephen Garner (Producer) and John McCarthy

The Hon. John Rous, Stephen Garner (Producer) and John McCarthy

All photos courtesy Clovelly Estates.  

To find out the latest news and events visit http://www.clovelly.co.uk

John McCarthy is a regular presenter on BBC Radio 4 programmes "Saturday Live" and "Excess Baggage"

Chance to explore Devon heathland. Free family-friendly open day.

Devon Wildlife Trust is running a free open day this month giving people the chance to explore a rare and wonderful heathland nature reserve. The family-friendly open day is being held at Bovey Heathfield Local Nature Reserve, close to Bovey Tracey. It takes place on Saturday 15 September and runs from 11am until 4pm. The event celebrates 10 years of Devon Wildlife management of this precious place. The event offers a 'behind the scenes' look at a lowland heath - a landscape which has disappeared from much of the countryside in recent decades. A series of guided wildlife walks will be led by Devon Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers. Mini-beast hunting, storytelling, pond dipping and other children's activities will also feature. A tea and cake stall will be on hand to feed hungry visitors! Jo Pullin from Devon Wildlife Trust said: "This wonderful nature reserve looks stunning at this time of year, with heather and gorse in full bloom. Open days make great introductions to our county's amazing wildlife. The day will be great chance to visit a special piece of Devon's countryside and learn about the animals which call it home." Those wishing to go on one of the walks should book in advance with Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244. For all other activities people are welcome to just come along and take part. Bovey Heathfield Local Nature Reserve is located in Heathfield Industrial Estate. From Battle Road turn into Cavalier road. The entrance lies close to the entrance of Dragoon Close (postcode TQ12 6TU). And for anyone who can't make the open day, a longer self-guided wildlife walk links Bovey Heathfield to the Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserves of Little Bradley Ponds and Chudleigh Knighton Heath. A leaflet download is available for the walk at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wild-walks/