Tuesday 28 April 2015

Wild flowers get vicar's blessing

The wild flowers of one special churchyard in North Devon have received the blessings of their local vicar. On the morning of Tuesday 28th April a new wildlife meadow in the churchyard of the 13th century church of St. Petroc's, Petrockstowe, was formally blessed by the Reverend Susanna Metz before being opened with the presentation of a plaque on which part of the inscription reads: "This area is specially managed for the care of God's creations in need of a helping hand." Last year Devon Wildlife Trust, through its Nature Improvement Area project, began work with St Petroc's Parochial Church Council to improve the wildlife of the churchyard. Now an area has been set aside to allow native wildflowers to bloom and seed. Once the seeds have set, the area will be cut for hay and then 'recycled', by being fed to local livestock. The area selected contains no graves. The PCC have decided that initially a strip of ground will be allocated for the wildflower meadow for three years, when a decision regarding expansion of this area will be taken. A small team of local people has been appointed to keep an eye on its success monitoring the plant and insect life of the meadow. The Rev Susanna Metz blessed the wildflowers at a service attended by parishioners. She said: "On Rogation days in our team, we routinely bless our fields and farms, so it seems right to ask God's blessing on our efforts to secure a place for the insects, that are so vital for our food sources, to flourish. The church must be on the forefront of protecting the gift of creation - the environment - we've been given. We hope with this area to show how beauty, our own health, and the health of our world are interconnected." Chris Smith, Chair of St Petroc's Parochial Church Council, said: "With 98% of England's flower rich meadows having been lost in the past sixty years, every area of wild flower meadow, no matter how small, is helpful as a food source for bumblebees and butterflies, essential pollinators of our food crops." Lisa Schneidau, Project Manager for the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area, said: "We are delighted that St Petrock's Church has decided to manage part of this churchyard for wildlife, for the whole parish to enjoy. Projects like this, which are started and driven by the local community, are an essential part of helping to restore, manage and celebrate Devon's natural landscapes. St Petroc's is to be congratulated for its valuable work for Devon's wildlife."

http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org
 The Rev Susanna Metz and parishioners at the blessing of the wildflowers at St Petroc's church, Petrockstowe Photos copyright DWT (All rights reserved)
http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Final 24 hours to help protect north Devon's marine wildlife

The Government's public consultation on creating more protected areas for marine wildlife - including two sites off the north Devon coast - closes on Friday evening (24th April). That means there is still time for anyone who wants to see a thriving marine environment in the south west to add their support for creating new Marine Conservation Zones. Twenty three potential Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) have been included in the Government's current public consultation. Bideford to Foreland Point is one: this stunning section of coast, stretching from the mouth of the Taw estuary all the way into Exmoor National Park, is enjoyed by thousands of walkers every year. The marine animals living off this coast include the harbour porpoises and dolphins regularly spotted off Morte Point and Baggy Point, along with the array of colourful anemones and starfish seen in the rockpools of Ilfracombe and Combe Martin. 
Richard White, Devon Wildlife Trust's Senior Marine Conservation Officer, said: "The two new proposed MCZs at Bideford to Foreland Point and Hartland Point to Tintagel are home to a stunning variety of marine life. Their collections of corals and sponges form a beautiful backdrop to shoals of colourful fish. All will benefit from the protection provided by becoming Marine Conservation Zones." Public support for the creation of protected areas for marine wildlife played a significant part in the first designation of MCZs in 2013. That's why Devon Wildlife Trust is encouraging people who love the beach, the sea and the wildlife they support to take part in the final day of the Government consultation. 
Richard White commented: "Devon Wildlife Trust urges anyone who cares about the future of the South West's marine life to back these MCZs and take part in the government's consultation process. Responding takes 5 minutes online - but it's five minutes that could make a real difference for our precious marine life." 
Responses to the consultation on Marine Conservation Zones can be made until Friday evening on the Defra website at www.gov.uk or The Wildlife Trusts' website at www.wildlifetrusts.org/mcz

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/mcz
 Photo Beadlet Anemone copyright Paul Naylor (All rights reserved)

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/mcz
 Photo Harbour Porpoise copyright Colin Speedie (All rights reserved)

Tuesday 21 April 2015

North Devon's Mind, Body & Soul Festival EWE2 Arena at The BIG Sheep Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th April

North Devon's inaugural Mind, Body & Soul Festival will take place at The BIG Sheep family attraction in Bideford on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April. With all the pressures of modern life it's so easy to feel stressed.... but what exactly is stress? Stress is a modern, widely used buzzword that's used to describe the pressure of modern day, leaving people unable to cope. This new festival will be like no other and promises to leave visitors feeling relaxed, pampered and give them all the tools they will need to lead happier and more fulfilled lives We may live in a world that has more appliances and technology to make for a more comfortable life than previous generations - but does that mean we have better and more fulfilling lifestyles? In today's busy world where more of us have to work in demanding jobs as well as raising a family we have very little time left over for ourselves and when we do find time, we feel guilty about enjoying some 'me' time and this undoubtedly plays havoc with our well-being. The Mind, Body & Soul Festival which is sponsored by 'My Town: Bideford' will give visitors an opportunity to come along to find out ways in which to nourish their mind, body and soul. There is already a wealth of exhibitors and activities planned for the event including yoga, tai chi, allergy testing, beauty treatments, relationship and personal life coaching, healing, pilates, holistic therapies, massage, physics, prayer and much more. 

Diana Brook, creator of the hugely popular 'The Mind, Body and Soul Workout Guide' and guest speaker at the festival believes that looking and feeling great on the outside starts with promoting health on the inside and says, "Our thoughts, emotions, nutrition, work, and family life all influence our wellbeing. By increasing awareness of the mind, body, and soul, we can gain a fresh perspective on how to care of our health and begin healing." Diana who is a natural health & healing practitioner based in South Wales will inspire visitors with her talk on Coloured Light Therapy. Diana's aim will be to encourage individuals to become aware of the healing energies of light to promote physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing' 

Rick Turner, director of the BIG Sheep and brains behind the Festival, is confident this inaugural festival will prove to be a huge success and lead to the development of an annual festival and said, 'We want our visitors to enjoy the wide range of experiences at our Mind Body & Soul Event and, at the same time, feel confident that they are in good hands. All our exhibitors have been recommended to us so we are confident we have created a safe, honest and ethical environment that allows visitors to come along secure in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect, that they can trust the advice or service they require and that they will enjoy their day. As well as having an opportunity to talk to therapists there will be a series of taster sessions, workshops and talks for visitors to enjoy.' Rick has been surprised by the level of interest that the event has generated to date and adds. 'Taking care of our physical and spiritual needs is an important element in caring for our whole selves and I'm sure those attending the Festival will be able to enjoy happier and more fulfilled lives.
http://www.thebigsheep.co.uk/events/details/north-devon-mind-body-and-soul-festival
North Devon's Mind, Body & Soul Festival EWE2 Arena at The BIG Sheep Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th April. If you would like to book a physic reading or any of the tasters session on the Mind, Body & Soul Festival log on to www.thebigsheep.co.uk and book your space.
 
Photo copyright thebigsheep (All rights reserved)