Wildflowers spread colour across city

A dash of bright and beautiful colour is set to spread across some of Exeter's best known green spaces this summer. Last year saw more than three hectares of new wildflower meadow planted across the city. Now, with summer just beginning, the seeds have grown into plants and their beautiful blooms are beginning to show off their true colours. The new wildflower meadows are the work of local residents and school students. All volunteered under the Exeter Wild City initiative, a scheme led Devon Wildlife Trust and Exeter City Council, and funded by The Big Lottery Fund and Devon Doctors. The aim was simple, to create colourful summer flower displays and help some of our most important city wildlife including minibeasts such as bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies. In recent months more wildflower seed has been sown across Exeter by the City Council, creating wildflower beds in some of the city's most popular green spaces including Bull Meadow, Rougemont Gardens, St Thomas Pleasure Grounds and Northernhay Gardens. Planting involved a wildflower seed mix of colourful plants such as cornflower, poppy, corn chamomile and corn cockle. The results of all this planting and hard work is now beginning to show. Galvin Short from Exeter City Council said: "Biodiversity and sustainability are relatively new 'buzz words' but in partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust we have been chipping away at bland evergreen landscapes for over ten years. Most of our principal parks now have a wild corner which we leave for the mini beasts and nesting birds and our larger sites have significant areas that are maintained as wildflower meadows or as a developing wildlife habitat. The results of this project are there for all to see, and indeed listen to. Even in our city centre parks we have very active colonies of bats, bees, butterflies and moths and an almost jubilant dawn chorus." Emily Stallworthy of Devon Wildlife Trust said: "Cities such as Exeter are essential places for wildlife such as bumblebees, butterflies and birds. People's gardens and city parks provide a huge variety of flowering plants that help to feed pollinating insects. These insects then go on to do a very important job in feeding us by pollinating our orchards and crops." Emily continued: "For anybody wanting to help pollinators at home the best advice is follow the principles that we've used on this Exeter Wild City project. Our main aim has been to provide a variety of flowers throughout the year, in this way we can feed insects with nectar over long periods of time. Different insects also prefer different types of flowers, for example, open flowers such as daisies, and bell shaped such as foxgloves, so it's good to have a mix. It's also best to avoid hybridised flowers such as petunias and begonias as these produce little or no nectar for insects." Devon Wildlife Trust provides information for the budding wildlife gardener via its website www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Photo: 'Heavitree Pleasure Ground is one of the city venues to have seen an injection of wildflower colour' -  copyright DWT All Rights Reserved

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS - Classic Father's Days, Dog Shows, Music Festivals, Nature Walks & Outdoor Theatre Performances

It's blooming June, time for Father's Day, Honeysuckle and Roses, Strawberries and Cream and Wimbledon and the World Cup. Here are just some of the eclectic mix of North Devon Local events from a Classic Car Day for Dad's at the Big Sheep, a Women in Waves at Putsborough Beach and the very first Electric Circus Festival at the Globe in Torrington, a Dog Show and Country Fair at Dowland Farm, Winkleigh and here's hoping the sun comes out for the Outdoor Theatre performances running at Hartland Abbey. This is also a good time for nature lovers to join Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project on their special walks exploring hedgerows, Culm grassland and  wildflower meadows.

7th June Women in Waves Active Devon  working in partnership with Surf Life Saving UK to run a multi-sport event at Putsborough Beach.  Women's Beach activities, Boot Camp, Warm Up followed by a number of beach and water activities including netball, rugby, football, sand ball, surf lifesaving, paddle boarding. Additional activities for children. Visit Web site
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*******THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  6th to 8th June Electric Circus Festival, The Globe Hotel, Great Torrington. Our first Electric Circus Festival will be taking place on the 6,7 & 8th June. Evening tickets will be on sale from Friday 18 April at The Globe Hotel, Great Torrington. £15 will get over 18's access to some of the best and brightest North Devon bands from 7pm across Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Saturday - Sunday 1 - 6pm will be free entry for all with plenty of live music and entertainment for adults and children. Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards a donation to our charity partner, North Devon Against Domestic Abuse. Stay in the know by following us on twitter @OCCLive and check out our website: www.electriccircusfestival.com. Thank you and looking forward to seeing you there!
IN AID OF: A donation will be made to North Devon Against Domestic Abuse TEL NO: 07932 820764 EMAIL: sallydonnellan@gmail.com
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Saturday June 14th Culm in full colour summer nature walk. Merefelle Nature Reserve, Woolsery 11am - 3.00pm. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project for a guided walk through this classic Culm grassland nature reserve. Find out more about the abundant wildflowers, butterflies and other colourful creatures, together with their less flamboyant neighbours hiding in the undergrowth. Grid ref SS 310 190. Call Clare Manning on 01271 388647 or email cmanning@devonwildlifetrust.org for more details and to book places.
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15th June Father's Day at the Big Sheep. Dad's visit for FREE when accompanied by 1 full paying child under 16 on Fathers Day. Are you struggling to think of an imaginative present to buy Dad this Father’s Day? Look no further, as The BIG Sheep in Bideford, has got the perfect ingredients for an extra special Fathers Day this year…
15th June A Classic Day out for Father's Day at the Big Sheep. The BIG Sheep family attraction in North Devon will be hosting a classic day out for dads to celebrate Father’s Day in style this year. On Sunday 15th June from 10am to 5pm the North Devon Sports and Classic Car Club will join forces…
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15th June  Dowland Country Fair & Dog Show Furze Park, Nr Winkleigh Devon EX19 8PQ Every year people join us from all over the South West for this fantastic family day out. This year we are delighted to be having a spectacular fly past featuring 5 World War 11 Austers, birds of prey, gun dog & hand sheep shearing displays, vintage, Suffolk punch, pony rides, children's attractions, trade stands, barbecue, bar, cream teas. Lurcher,Terrier, Family Dog & Ferret Shows, Buckham Fair Best Rescue qualifier. Lurcher simulated coursing book in from 9am for 9-30am start. Lurcher & Terrier racing, Entertainment Stage. A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND THE DAY Sunday 15th June 11am - 5pm Adults £4 children £1 under 5's free  IN AID OF: donations from this event will be given to the North Devon Children's Hospice and local organisations. Visit web site for more
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Thursday 19th June, Miracle Theatre presents ‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare at Hartland Abbey 7pm. Freely adapted & directed by Bill Scott with original music by Jim Carey. Miracle celebrates 35 years of producing engaging, inventive and enjoyable theatre by bringing together a team of talented collaborators, past and present, to create a fresh and musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless play that will delight audiences of all ages. Enjoy the full ‘open air theatre experience’ by bringing along well stocked picnics, cushions and blankets for a special night of theatre performed under the stars! Full £13.00 Concession £11.00 Supporter £9.00 Family tickets available Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Pimms and Wine Bar and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending from 2 hours before the show. Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre Box Office: 01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk. Hartland Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay) www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234
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Friday June 27th Lockspark Farm Walk at Lockspark Farm, near Hatherleigh. 11am - 3.00pm. Join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project for a guided walk exploring the hedgerow wildlife and rich Culm grassland of this Dolton farm with owners Rob and Paula Wolton. Grid ref SS 523 018. 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.
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28th June Armed Forces Day at the Big Sheep. Free entry to all armed forces on Saturday 28th June.
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Sunday, 29th June, 3 pm matinée and 7 pm Hartland Abbey Plough Community Theatre presents ‘Candleford’. After ‘Lark Rise’ last year Plough Community Theatre complete the story with ‘Candleford’ where young Laura Timms leaves her village and goes to work in the very centre of rural 1880s small town life – the post office. Keith Dewhurst’s lively 1978 adaptation for the National Theatre tells a gentle yet powerful story of country characters with the action all taking place on the coldest day of the winter and the first day of the hunt. Local actors will breathe life, humour and music into this simple yet joyfully heart-warming piece of theatre. “Plough Community Theatre created a surreal comedic air that gave a sense of a rural community in an isolated grip of madness....we became part of this insanity and had a jolly good laugh” Tony Glynn North Devon Journal (‘Lark Rise’ 2013) Full £10.00 Concession £8.00 Supporter £7.00 Family tickets available. Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Cream Teas (afternoon show), Pimms and Wine Bar and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending from 2 hours before the evening show (matinée – 1 hour prior to show) Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre Box Office: 01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Hartland Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay) www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234

For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal
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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 
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 To add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar 

May Flowers bring some late Spring Zing.

As we head towards the end of May I look back on the glorious weather during the middle of the month. I am always out taking photos, recording the seasons, whatever the weather, and it was fantastic to see the sun bringing a little late Spring zing to the North Devon Coast and Countryside. It’s my favourite time of year when the Hawthorn blossoms and the wild flowers fight for the light in leafy woodland glades. This is the time when white rules. Cow Parsley stands stall above the Ramsons, Greater Stitchwort and Woodruff. Large White butterflies flirt and flutter from flower to flower. Today a little hint of colour is added from the first spurt of fresh green leaves on the old gnarled trees, unfurling Fronds, teeny Speedwell, Early Purple Orchid, Red Campion, Tufted Vetch and of course Bluebells and that’s just on the verges on track down through the Valley. Below,  on the meadows, beside the South West Coast Path, there are Cuckoo Flowers, Clover and creeping Buttercup while spiky Bugle, Ribwart Plaintain and Common Sorrel race to keep their  heads above the rising Bracken.

Queen Anne's Lace

Hawthorne Blossom, Cuckoo Flower, Ramsons, Red Campion, Bluebells, Early Purple Orchid

 Bugle, Common Sorrel and Plaintain heralding the start of Summer

New vista over Bideford Bay

• Cow Parsley a member of the Carrot family otherwise known as Queen Anne’s Lace
• Common Sorrel is an important larval food plant of the Small Copper Butterfly.
• Cuckoo Flower  otherwise known as Lady’s Smock food plant of the Orange Tip Butterfly