Meet the Author. Bideford's Liz Shakespeare will be out and about this Summer

The name of Liz Shakespeare has become well-known in the South-West as an author who brings to life the people, history and landscapes of Devon.

Liz was born and brought up in Bideford and has a long Devon ancestry which she feels has given her a good understanding of Devon and its people. Her most recent book, All Around The Year, is a collection of twelve poignant stories, deeply rooted in the Devon countryside, and each linked to a month of the year from January through to December. For each story, she has created a character whose life is influenced by the landscape around them. With stories set in North, South and Mid-Devon, All Around The Year is popular throughout the South-West and beyond.

She relied on historical research for inspiration for her previous books, The Turning of the Tide, a true story of a young Clovelly mother confined in Bideford Workhouse, Fever: A Story from a Devon Churchyard, and The Memory Be Green: An Oral History of a Devon Village. She is currently working on a novel based on the life of the Bideford Postman-Poet Edward Capern.

Liz will be signing copies of her four books at Launceston Show on 30th July, in the Crafts and Gifts Marquee at the North Devon Show on August 5th, Okehampton Show on August 13th, Chagford Show on August 27th, Holsworthy Show on August 27th and Clovelly Crab and Lobster Festival on September 6th.

Further details of Liz’s books can be found on her website www.lizshakespeare.co.uk

 

Photo copyright Liz Shakespeare (All rights reserved)

Animal believed to be extinct for 150 years found living in Devon

An animal that has only been recorded once in the UK before and was thought to be extinct has been found alive and well living on a Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve. 

The fly, Rhaphium pectinatum, was last recorded on 19 July 1868 when the renowned Victorian entomologist George Verrall caught a male and female at Richmond in Surrey. In the decades since it was presumed that the fly was extinct, but now, nearly 150 years later it has been spotted again, this time at Devon Wildlife Trust's Old Sludge beds nature reserve, near Exeter. The remarkable discovery was made by expert naturalist Rob Wolton who is a member of the Devon Fly Group and the Dipterists Forum which specialises in the study of flies.

Rob said: 'I took a recent trip to Devon Wildlife Trust's Old Sludge Beds nature reserve on the outskirts of Exeter specifically to look for flies. Imagine my surprise when I examined my catch that evening to find it included a fly that was presumed extinct in Britain, not having been seen for 147 years! Definitely one to add to the list of Devon specialities.'

Little is known about the handsome, metallic green coloured fly, apart from that it is part of the family Dolichopidiae, a group which is known as long-legged flies. Most members of the family live in tropical areas of the world. Rob explained: '

The only other record of the fly was found near Richmond in London in 1868. Nothing is known about its biology, but it seems that it may like brackish (salty) conditions like those found at the Old Sludge Beds, and may even be associated with the extensive tidal reed beds nearby at the head of the Exe Estuary. Finding the fly here demonstrates the importance of the work the Devon Wildlife Trust does looking after these unusual and special habitats. 'Flies don't always have the best press, but Rob was quick to point out the critical part they play in all our lives:

'To most people, the only good fly is a dead one! Only a tiny proportion of the flies in Britain are pests, while many are important for pollination and for ensuring efficient recycling of the nutrients in dead plant material. And they are an important part of the food web - many of our birds rely on them. Without flies, there would be no swallows, and not many bats! Nor, incidentally, would we have any chocolate - the cacao tree is pollinated by midges, a kind of fly!'

The fly has made its home at Devon Wildlife Trust's Old Sludge Beds nature reserve. The five hectare site is situated between the River Exe and the Exeter Canal. Until 1969 it was used as a place where Exeter's sewage sediment was stored. Since 1979 The Trust has managed the place as a nature reserve for people and wildlife.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Steve Hussey said: 'So often we have to break the news of species that are disappearing, so it's good to be able to announce the discovery of an animal that was thought to be extinct. This is a very exciting find for Devon Wildlife Trust. We've worked hard at the Old Sludge Beds nature reserve in recent years to maintain a patchwork of reed beds, ponds and lagoons which now provide a home to local wildlife including rare dragonflies, birds and amphibians. The presence of this special fly means that we must be doing something right in supporting many of the species that make our county so special.' 

Photo: Rhaphium pectinatum. Copyright Rob Wolton (All Rights Reserved)

Unique opportunity to walk on Private Land around War Horse Valley, Iddesleigh

Please come and join the Friends of St. James at Iddesleigh for The Parish Walk on 30th August. This is a unique opportunity to walk on private land around War Horse Valley. The walk will be a circular one, starting at Parsonage Farm which is in the heart of War Horse Valley and home to the War Horse Museum and will include: Bridge Town, on to where the rivers Torridge and Ockment join, along the marshes beside the Ockment to Nethercott Barton and finishing at Parsonage Farm for a cream tea and to enjoy the beautifull views of War Horse Valley.

Willing participants must meet at Parsonage Farm, Iddesleigh, EX19 8SN, where there will be plenty of car parking available, for a PROMPT 2pm start. Please note that this walk will be a guided one in groups, is approximately 4 miles long and is estimated to take 2 hours. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome and sensible footwear is advisable.
Anyone unable to walk is invited to come for a Cream Tea, there will be a Grand Draw with exellent prizes, directions will be signed from Iddesleigh.

Photo St. James, Iddesleigh copyright Rose Ward (All rights reserved)

 Visit the place that inspired Michael Morpurgo to write "War Horse"

THE PARISH WALK - WAR HORSE VALLEY, IDDESLEIGH

SUNDAY 30TH AUGUST 2PM START

For more information Tel: 01805 804347

ADULTS £5 to include Cream Tea
ALL PROCEEDS FOR THE FRIENDS OF ST JAMES IDDESLEIGH

War Horse Museum. includes a World War I Exhibition alongside a War Horse Exhibition. World War I artifacts and information help show the effect the war had on this part of Devon and the invaluable part horses played in the conflict.