MAY HIGHLIGHTS. MAYFAIRS, MEADOW WALKS, BIG CHARACTER DAYS & COOL RUNNING

I love the month of May, such a vibrant time on the North Devon Coast. The Thrift Sea Pink and Scurvy Grass cling onto craggy rocks and Bluebells carpet the woods and waysides along with Travellers' Joy, otherwise known as Ramsoms, which fill the air with the pungent aroma of wild garlic. The delicate May flowers of the Hawthorne herald the beginning of Summer and amazingly the best place to see them is along the A39, the main Atlantic Highway from Heywood Roundabout to Abbotsham Cross and through to Fairy Cross. It's time for the Dawn Chorus and the first broods of little fledgings to leave the nest so take care not to disturb them, especially young Blackbirds that totter about on the ground. If you hear a cacophony of twittering, there's probably a cat on the prowl. About this time there is a surge of growth on shrubs, trees and hedges in the garden and it's tempting to rush out with the hedge trimmer to "tidy up". Just remember birds build their nests in some pretty amazing places and have more than one brood, so if possible, the RSPB advise yo to leave any drastic trimming or tidying until well into late Summer or even the Autumn. On a serious note it is against the law to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built - for full details read The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. From art, ale, cider and music festivals, Bubbalicious Balloons, character days, not-so fun runs and wild flower walks there is certainly a lot happening around the towns and villages so check out the listings below for more ....

1st May Great Torrington Mayfair  - ONE of the biggest events in Torrington’s social calendar kicks off this week. Mayfair Day is tomorrow, May 1 and marks the start of a trio of events in the town.Click here for more details: 3rd/4th & 5th May Bradworthy Arts Festival. Please come along and support the BAF event on the 3/4/5th of May 2014. 10am till 4pm every day. Come up and see us at West Down Sculpture Gardens too. I'll be in the gallery ready for a tour. www.bradworthyartsfestival.co.uk Saturday 3rd May Maytime Meadow walk at Nethercleave Farm, Littleham, near Bideford EX39 5HH Walks available between 11.00am - 3.00pm. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project for a special chance to visit privately owned meadows alongside the beautiful river Torridge and find out about the exciting wildlife improvements that are being undertaken here. Spaces are limited and booking is essential. Call Clare Manning on 01271 388647 or email cmanning@devonwildlifetrust.org for more details and to book places.

4th May Hartland Hartbreak Run Congratulations to Carl Mott the 2013 winner - the man to beat in 2014? Well folks...It's 13 (ish) miles of uphill, downhill, through rivers, bogs and hedges and some really stunning scenery. Mind you, you won't get to see much more than about 2 foot in front of you..... .We are starting and finishing from the fabulous Hartland Abbey and are very fortunate that Sir Hugh and Lady Stucley have allowed us to run around their wonderful estate. You'll encounter the beautiful gardens of the Abbey - with bluebells in full flight - and then the rugged and unrelenting South West Coast Path. After a quick trip around Hartland Lighthouse it's in to the deepest darkest Devonshire countryside - keep your wits about you and you'll probably make it out alive. Back through the abbey grounds once more and up to the ruined Pleasure House overlooking the Atlantic, back onto the coast path and past (through?) a waterfall before once again leaving the coast path to explore some local woods. Once out of the woods there is the opportunity to run through the estate's area of biodiversity before heading back to the Abbey for the finish. Doesn't sound that bad does it? Did I mention that there might be some hills? Simon Haywood Are you up for the challenge? And raise money for charity. If you have any questions about the race please do get in touch, you can either drop me an email at the address below, give me a call or even write! Our Address: Brook Cottage, Blakeshill Road, Landkey, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0NE T: 01271 831498 M: 07515 875651 W: http://www.northdevonroadrunners.com E: simon.haywood@virgin.net

4th May Character Days at the Big Sheep. TV Favourite Mike the Knight -'Be a knight, do it right!' - Mike the Knight is leaving the Kingdom of Glendragon to embark on an adventure to The BIG Sheep Family Attraction in North Devon on Sunday 4th May to see his fans. Mike is an energetic, cheeky yet bountiful young knight-in-training, driven by his passion to help…

10th May Bubbalicious Balloon Festival at the Big Sheep. Go ballistic with balloons at the BIG Sheep’s Balloon Festival and let Dave Hendy, our resident balloon expert entertain you with his humor, mischief and incredible artistic ability to produce mind boggling entertainment which will have you dumb with amazement and shaking with laughter whatever 10th May DUB MAFIA (formerly BLACKOUT) PLAY THE FACTORY WITH SUPPORT FROM THE LIQUIDATORS AKA - Doors open at 8pm Advance tickets £7.00 (subject to booking fee)Physical tickets available from: Beats Workin, Barnstaple, and North Devon Theatres Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net and www.northdevontheatres.org.uk

Sunday May 11th Bluebell Sunday at Okehampton Castle. Drop by between 10am - 3.00pm. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project for a guided walk through the bluebell woods at Okehampton Castle. Grid ref SX 584 943, Post Code EX20 1JA. Entry to the castle is free on this day and there is no need to book on the walks so just come along!

20th May North Devon & Torridge Club Support Evening Spring 2014 Active Devon will be hosting Club Support Evenings throughout Devon, dates are listed below. We are due to host the North Devon & Torridge Evening on Tuesday 20th May at Bideford Boxing Club, Polyfields Centre. Please follow the link to book your place

21st May Wig Wednesday at the Big Sheep. The BIG Sheep family attraction in Bideford will be donating £1 to CLIC Sargent for every visitor who comes to their attraction wearing a wig. Wig Wednesday on 21st May is an innovative fundraising idea instigated by the children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent…

24th May to 26th May Clovelly Celebration of Local Ales and Cider. Enjoy a range of tasty local brews created with passion by small North Devon brewers at the Red Lion or New Inn. You're bound to find a tipple to suit your palate and there'll also be some live musical entertainment too, so come along and raise a glass. There will also be a selection of Devon wines, by the glass, at very special prices. Normal admission charges apply

26th May Character Days at the Big Sheep. See Katsuma from Moshi Monsters. Katsuma has taken a short break from his latest mission on the streets of Monstro City to visit The BIG Sheep Family Attraction in North Devon on Monday 26th May and will be appearing at intervals between 11am and 3:30pm. Don't forget your camera! Park admission is FREE to annual Season Ticket Holders.

May 27th Orchid expeditions and other unexpected events at Torrington Common 11am - 3.00pm Booking not essential - just turn up!. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project on Torrington Common this half-term for a chance to discover more about the areas special wildlife through guided walks and practical activities. Grid ref SS 485 194. Spaces are limited and booking is preferable. Call Clare Manning on 01271 388647 or email cmanning@devonwildlifetrust.org for more details.

31st May Chocolate Chomping Competition at the Big SheepAre you a chocolate monster who thinks they can demolish enough chocolate to sink a ship? Does your mouth water when you walk past a chocolate counter? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then set yourself a challenge and enter the UK’s For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

To add an event or for more North Devon Events visit the North Devon Focus Community Calendar

Wildlife Festival comes to North Devon

A local charity is inviting people to come and take part in Devon's largest annual celebration of the county's wildlife. Devon Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Festival is taking place in Barnstaple on Saturday 10 May between 10am and 4pm. The free event is being held at The Square and is promising visitors a really wild day out! The Wildlife Festival is now in its eighth successful year. In 2013 it drew more than 12,000 visitors when it was held in Plymouth and organisers hope that the people of North Devon will show similar support. The event was last staged in Barnstaple in 2011. Jo Pullin Devon Wildlife Trust's event organiser said: "We're delighted to be returning to Barnstaple. Local people always show their support for us and their passion for local wildlife. The 2014 festival promises to be the best yet. It will be a special mix of things to see and things to do, all centred upon Devon's beautiful nature." The festival will give visitors the chance to get up close to beautiful birds of prey courtesy of Hawk Walks. There will also be a chance to encounter bats, and a host of minibeasts courtesy of Exmoor Zoo. Other attractions will include a 'cinema bus' showing wildlife films, a storyteller, face painters, stilt walkers and even an underwater robot. The festival will be staged in a series of marquees ensuring that visitors can enjoy the event whatever the weather. The 2014 Wildlife Festival is being sponsored by South West Water. Staff from the company will be at the event to dispense giveaways and advice on water use. Alan Hyde from South West Water said: "South West Water is delighted to support the work of the Devon Wildlife Trust. We take pride in the improvements we've made to the quality of our bathing waters and rivers and we work closely with DWT on their Working Wetlands project to improve water storage and quality in the environment. We look forward to continuing this relationship for many years to come." Devon Wildlife Trust's Jo Pullin was keen to highlight the practical elements of the festival: "It's about getting hands on and doing things for local wildlife. On the day people will be able to make a nest box, design badges, take part in crafts and get their face painted. It's a great day out and there's no charge for entry." The 2014 Wildlife Festival will have a marine theme, acknowledging the special marine wildlife that North Devon is famed for. Jo explained: "We especially want people to come and help us celebrate their marine natural heritage. In preparation for the festival we've established a Starfish Trail. Visitors to the town can now hunt for a series of wonderful starfish designs made by local school children. Each of the starfish has been placed in local shops and other venues. We're setting people the task of finding all twelve starfish to complete the Trail. On the day we'll also be joined by an artist with whom visitors will be able to help construct a giant starfish. It's a bit of fun but it also demonstrates the wide community support we're getting for this event from local businesses and families." Local organisation Bid Barnstaple (Business Improvement District) is supporting the event helping fund its Starfish Trail. Dane Stanley, Chairman of Bid Barnstaple said: "Bid Barnstaple is pleased to be involved with the Devon Wildlife Festival for what is their second visit to the town centre. Support for the event has grown even more this time, with BID businesses getting involved with the starfish trail. We are all looking forward to the main event on The Square on May 10th which we are sure will be popular with all ages." Devon Wildlife Trust hopes that many of its 32,000 supporters will turn out on the day. But Jo added: "It's also a chance for us to meet people who are not already our supporters and for us to show them how they can help to make a world of difference to their local wildlife." For more information about Devon Wildlife Trust's 2014 Wildlife Festival can be found at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Giant wildlife stilt walkers will again feature as part of Devon Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Festival in Barnstaple. Photo copyright Kevin New (All Rights Reserved)

DUB MAFIA (formerly BLACKOUT) PLAY THE FACTORY WITH SUPPORT FROM THE LIQUIDATORS AKA

A few members from that much loved North Devon band BLACKOUT from a few years back now will be returning to North Devon under the Monika of Dub Mafia. Since forming 4 years ago, Bristol-based Dub Mafia have become one of the most popular dance acts in the UK, Europe and beyond. The seven-piece band – who blend drum and bass, dub, dubstep, bashment, breakbeat and world music into their own unique sound (with a strict policy of ‘no backing tracks’ – ever) receive rave reviews wherever they play – from sweaty clubs to packed festivals: “Dub Mafia are ones to watch and we think they are heading for big things" www.vuguide.co.uk “Playing their third show in the past 24 hours, the drum and bass mob are destroying the tent with their dirty bass and dubstep rhythms … Wychwood is left shaken from the wobble bass and filthy drops … the band quickly amass the biggest crowd of the day at the BBC Introducing stage – the chairs and tables have even been pushed back to accommodate all the dubsteppers” www.theregoesthefear.com. ”The party was truly kicked off by Dub Mafia, who stirred up the first dance pit of the day with their rude boy (and girl) dub rock.” www.virtualfestivals.com Fronted by singer Eva Lazarus, the band have won over hundreds of thousands of fans over the last year, including show-stealing performances on the main stage at Outlook in Croatia (Europe’s biggest drum and bass music festival), the Matscher Au Reloaded festival in Northern Italy and a special guest slot in Romania supporting the legendary LTJ Bukem. 2010 was just as busy, as they toured tirelessly through the UK, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Finland, Poland and Croatia. Videos for four of their most popular tracks – Breakneck, Danger, Dub Specialists and Under The Radar – have racked up more than 800,000 views on Youtube. Support comes from local favourite’s The Liquidators AKA. 

Doors open at 8pm

Advance tickets £7.00 (subject to booking fee)

Physical tickets available from: Beats Workin, Barnstaple, and North Devon Theatres

Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net and www.northdevontheatres.org.uk

DUB MAFIA (formerly BLACKOUT) PLAY THE FACTORY WITH SUPPORT FROM THE LIQUIDATORS AKA -SATURDAY 10TH MAY 8pm