CLOVELLY'S SILVER DARLINGS CAUGHT ON FILM

It's Silver Darlings season - local, sustainable and nutritious Clovelly Herrings are now available in North Devon up until Christmas and Boat Stories has a film to get you in the mood. Fishing for Clovelly Herring is a scenic and moving short film featuring traditional herring fisherman Stephen Perham. Producer Jo Stewart-Smith tells us why this is a film she has been eager to make for some time “When I first met Stephen, Clovelly lobster and herring fisherman and harbour master, around seven years ago I was both inspired and fascinated by what he had to say.” “A fisherman who heads out on his own in a tiny open boat, with only oars or sail, into Bideford Bay; passionate about what he does, determined to keep a tradition going – against the odds, captured my imagination and I always knew he would make a great film and tell a great story.” Fishing for Clovelly Herring is not just a tale of a disappearing way of life but a fascinating glimpse into the tight knit community of this unique North Devon village whose cobbled streets are traffic free. We see brothers, sisters, cousins and children all celebrating the heritage of Clovelly at its famous herring festival. We experience the tranquility of the little harbour as Stephen and his cousin Peter Braund row out to cast their nets at dawn and see their resigned but amused reaction to some cheeky little whiskered poachers! “I was really keen to film this boat story as it ticks all my boxes and, following a recurring Boat Stories theme, combines wildlife, conservation and sustaining local communities through traditional methods into one great story." says cameraman Simon Vacher "Filming Stephen’s story boat to boat using a radio microphone meant we got some really great sequences and the changing morning light brought a magical quality to the calm water.” Clovelly herrings are only caught up until Christmas so now is your chance to buy local and enjoy the silver darlings, supporting this sustainable fishing method and low impact way of life. Stephen Perham says "If you can't get people to start eating the herrings, then youngsters like my nephew Joe won't have any future in it." He concludes " Fishing in the picarooner, rowing up the shore, is probably not for everybody but I don't want to be the last one that does it. It's the knowledge of the coastline, the tides, mending and setting nets, you lose all those skills. And once they've gone you never get them back. Never."
You can read more about the five minute film Fishing for Clovelly Herring and find out where to buy fresh fish on the Boat Stories website http://www.boatstories.co.uk.

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Photos copyright NDMI (All rights reserved)

• Still from the film - Stephen Perham
• Simon Vacher filming on board Stephen Perham's picarooner
• Jo Stewart-Smith, Simon Vacher and Oscar Adams filming at Clovelly Herring Festival
• Simon Vacher, Oscar Adams filming Stephen Perham at Clovelly Herring Festival

Plymouth marine photographer the focus of national award

One of the UK's top underwater photographers has received a new environmental award for his volunteering work for marine wildlife. Devon-based photographer and author Paul Naylor is the first recipient of the Marsh Award for Marine Conservation, honouring his contribution in capturing the beauty of the UK's marine wildlife, and educating countless people in the value of the nation's undersea environments. Paul, who lives at Wembury near Plymouth, was nominated by four regional Wildlife Trusts - Devon, Cornwall, Kent, and Lincolnshire. In making the award on Monday 1 December at Plymouth's Mount Batten Centre, Devon Wildlife Trust's Chief Executive Harry Barton paid tribute to him: "Paul's underwater images truly are extraordinary photographs. We have used them for countless campaigns. Paul has an incredible talent, and he is incredibly generous giving us every picture for free. We believe the value of those images is worth more than £10,000 to the Devon Wildlife Trust alone. I can't think of a more deserving person to receive this award. In the interests of marine conservation we thank him so much." Also making the award was Joan Edwards, Head of Living Seas for The Wildlife Trusts. Joan added: "Paul's stunning photographs of British marine life are vital for our work. They allow us to showcase our marine environment, bringing to life species and habitats which many people don't get to experience, and demonstrate how important the protection of our seas is." Paul Naylor is widely recognised as one of the UK's top underwater wildlife photographers. Over the years, he has built up a wonderful collection of images of British marine species and habitats, bringing the beauty of underwater world to new and wider audiences. His books which include a guide to 'Great British Marine Animals' have provided a fascinating insight into the life, behaviours and struggles of the species he photographs. On receiving his award Paul said: "I am delighted to win the award because I'm very passionate about spreading the word for our amazing marine life and supporting The Wildlife Trusts with my underwater photography. I also feel humbled at being chosen, knowing what wonderful work all the other volunteers do". Paul's passion for marine wildlife was first sparked by snorkelling trips on the Norfolk coast as a teenager. Paul added: "Having now completed 2,000 dives all around the British coast, our native marine animals still enthral me. I am incredibly fortunate to be privy to their hidden lives. I am passionate about showing people, from schoolchildren to politicians, just what beautiful and vulnerable creatures live close to our shores. The intriguing lifestyles of so many animals, including those that appear humdrum at first glance, is a great way to reinforce the message that our marine life is special and deserving of much better care." The body making the inaugural award for Marine Conservation is the Marsh Christian Trust. Established in 1981 it runs a portfolio of awards across several conservation themes. The Trust's Jo Probert explained the reasons for establishing this new honour: "We set up this Award in partnership with the Wildlife Trusts because we were concerned about the conservation of marine wildlife. Our other Awards for marine conservation recognise both international and academic achievements, so with this Award we wanted to highlight the important work which marine volunteers are undertaking in the UK. Hopefully the Award will help recognise the outstanding efforts of these volunteers in their protection of the Living Seas and raise the profile of their essential work." Photo: Paul Naylor (centre) receives his award from Harry Barton Chief Executive of Devon Wildlife Trust (right) and Jo Probert of the Marsh Christian Trust (left)

Photo: A Devonshire cup coral copyright Paul Naylor www.marinephoto.co.uk (All rights reserved) This is just one of the many hundreds of Paul Naylor's beautiful images which showcase the UK's rich underwater world.

Love for North Devon Nature Mapped by Beaford Arts

Beaford Arts is drawing a digital map of creative responses to nature in northern Devon. As creative partner of the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA), Devon Arts organisation Beaford Arts has set up the Responding to Nature project, asking local people to put their favourite places on the map in words, pictures and sounds. Via the Responding to Nature website each submission is geotagged to the exact position where its creator produced it. Responding to Nature is a Cultural Ecosystems Services project. It aims to tap into the emotional experiences of being in nature and help us achieve a deeper connection with our environment and understand its value through art. Beaford Arts is inviting people of all ages to submit their responses to nature in drawings and paintings, poetry and prose, films, audio recordings or sculpture to build up a multi media picture of what our natural environment means to us. To get the collection started Beaford Arts recently held a competition for children in north Devon primary schools which brought in some inspirational stories, poems, pictures and films. There were two age categories and the winner of the 7 years and under group was Hettie King, aged 5, for her collage entitled 'I Love Nature' and first prize in the 8-11 years category went to 9 year old Jack Ayres for a musical piece called 'Jack's Rap - My Place to Escape'.

Hettie King 'I love Nature'

Raran's Garden by Isaac Champion

Keiran Beer  Tarka Trail

Jack's Rap can be heard via this link to Smule http://www.smule.com/p/256243881_65823955

You can see all the entries from the competition together with other independent submissions on the Responding to Nature website where you can also find out more about the project.
If you would like to take part and send in your own creative response please post your work of art to Claire Ayres, Education Project Manager, Beaford Arts, Crown Yealm House, Pathfields Business Park, South Molton, Devon EX36 3LH or email it to claire@beaford-arts.org.uk

Full list of prize winners:
7 years and under
1st place – HETTIE KING, age 5 (Monkleigh Primary) ‘I love nature’
2nd place – GABRIEL NAPIER, age 6 ½ (Monkleigh Primary) ‘Nature Life’
3rd place – EMMA ROVENSKA, age 5 (Clawton Primary) ‘The Story of the Pinecone Family’
8 years – 11 years

1st place – JACK AYRES, age 9 (Holywell CoE Primary) ‘Jack’s Rap – My Place to Escape’
2nd place – ISAAC CHAMPION, age 10 (Monkleigh Primary) ‘Raran’s Garden’