Wednesday 3 August 2016

Clovelly Lectures: Clovelly welcomes Lord Hennessey of Nympsfield FBA,

Clovelly welcomes Lord Hennessey of Nympsfield FBA, the 12th political speaker at Clovelly’s Forum on World Affairs, International Relations, Security & Defence and Science & Technology. A platform for providing information for informed choices.

Now in its 5th year, Clovelly Lectures has found in Devon a responsive audience. A curiosity and interest in listening and discussing matters that affects our lives in a fast changing and confusing economic and political world.

On the 1st October 2016, Lord Hennessey will be tackling the subject of:

“BRITAIN’S PLACE IN THE WORLD AND IN THE AFTERMATH OF A HISTORIC EUROPEAN REFERENDUM”

Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge, the London School of Economics and St Benet’s Hall, Oxford, Lord Hennessy has been a regular contributor to the Press, Radio and Television since 1987 including a regular presenter of ‘Analysis’ on BBC Radio 4 and guest editor of the ‘Today’ programme.

In 2010 Lord Hennessy became a life peer taking the title Baron Hennessy of Nympsfield and sits as a cross bencher in the House of Lords. Lord Peter Hennessy started his career in Journalism writing for the Times, The Financial Times and the Economist, where he found a love of the constitution and specialised in the history of the British Government. Lord Hennessy moved into academia in 1992. He became Professor of contemporary history at Queen Mary and Westfield College, London. From 1994 – 1997 he gave public lectures as Professor of Rhetoric at Gresham College, London. In 1986 he co-founded the Institute of Contemporary British History. Since 2001, Lord Hennessy has been Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary. The themes of the constitution and the power of the machinery of Government in Britain have stayed at the heart of Lord Hennessey’s research.

Lord Hennessy has written several contemporary history books most notably ‘Never Again: Britain 1945–1951 which won the Duff Cooper Prize and the NCR Book Award and ‘Having it so Good: Britain in the 1950’s which won the Orwell Prize.

Clovelly welcomes Lord Hennessey of Nympsfield FBA

Clovelly Lectures:Speaker Lord Hennessey 1st October at Clovelly Visitor Centre
For tickets and further information please contact:

Clovellylectures11@gmail.com or Tel: 01237 431200

Thursday 21 July 2016

A Summer of Wild Adventure

A Local wildlife charity is launching a summer of wild adventure by welcoming nature-lovers of all ages to a series of family-friendly wildlife events.

From pond-dipping in east Devon to wildflower walks on Dartmoor, rockpool rambles to bat detecting, Devon Wildlife Trust is offering easy ways to enjoy a wild summer.

The programme of events kicks off at DWT Bystock Pools nature reserve near Exmouth on Tuesday 26 July. DWT's annual Discovery Day event, organised as part of East Devon Heath Week and sponsored by South West Water, is a highlight of the summer for many families. All activities - bug-hunting in the meadows, story-telling walks through the heath, pond-dipping in the pools, crafting animal sculpture from willow - are free and there is no need to book places.

A series of evening walks at Bystock Pools will also be held next week. These twilight tours bring visitors closer to the nocturnal life of glow worms, nightjars and bats. Booking is essential for the evening walks on 01392 279244.

Dartmoor's wildlife takes a starring role at the DWT Bellever Moor & Meadows Nature Reserve Discovery Day on Friday 29 July. This site, near Postbridge is one of Devon Wildlife Trust's newest nature reserves. Explore the wildflower-rich upland hay meadows between the East Dart River and Laughter Tor, enjoy far-reaching views and discover the wildlife that makes a home on the high moor.

The Bellever event also offers something for all ages, whether you enjoy a gentle botanical amble or want to let the children run wild with a bug hunting net!

Devon Wildlife Trust's Jasmine Atkinson is looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Discovery Days:
'Bystock and Bellever are both beautiful spaces for wildlife, and people too! If you've never been to a Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve before, these days are the perfect opportunity to get into nature and explore wild places. And if you're a regular visitor this is your chance to discover the hidden world beneath the water and in the meadows.'

'Our nature reserves are home to an amazing array of wildlife. We will be watching dragonflies dancing over Bystock's ponds and listening to the click-clack of stonechats on the heathland.'

'At Bellever Moor and Meadows traditional Dartmoor hay meadows support butterfly species such as meadow browns and gatekeepers whilst linnets and skylarks sing overhead.' 

More information on Devon Wildlife Trust events this summer can be found online at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/whats-on or by phoning DWT on 01392 279244.

Pond Dipping with Devon Wildlife Trust - Photo copyright Rog Hamling (All rights reserved)
Pond Dipping with Devon Wildlife Trust - Photo copyright Rog Hamling (All rights reserved)
Bellever Moor & Meadows Nature Reserve - Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)
Bellever Moor & Meadows Nature Reserve - Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)
A Summer of Wild Adventure with Devon Wildlife Trust  - Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

Monday 11 July 2016

Tales of the Riverbank with Liz Shakespeare

Do you ever consider how important the River Torridge is for those who live in or near Bideford? We tend to take it for granted yet it is a constant presence and we are very aware of its tides and different moods - placid at high tide on a summer evening, dark and menacing after a storm.

The Torridge has inspired many writers, including Charles Kingsley and Henry Williamson. On Thursday 14th July at Walter Henry’s Bookshop in Bideford Liz Shakespeare will be giving a talk with readings as part of the 'Tales of the Riverbank' project. Come along and have your eyes opened to the wonders of the Torridge!

Tickets £3 from Walter Henry's Bookshop 
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 Local author Liz Shakespeare will be out and about this summer signing copies of her Devon books
  • Sunday 17th July. Book signing at the Clovelly Maritime Festival. 
  • Monday 25th July. Book signing at Woolsery Show. 
  • Wednesday 27th July. Book signing at Dunster Country Fair 
  • Thursday 28th July. Book signing at Launceston Show.
  • Wednesday 3rd August. Book signing in the Craft Marquee at the North Devon Show. www.northdevonshow.com 
  •  6th and 7th August. Book signing at the Dartmoor Folk Festival. www.dartmoorfolkfestival.org.uk 
  • Thursday 11th August. Book signing at Okehampton Show. 
  • Thursday 18th August. Book signing at Chagford Show. www.chagfordshow.co.uk 
  • Thursday 25th August. Book signing at Holsworthy Show.  
  • Sunday 4th September. Signing books for the Clovelly Crab and Lobster Festival. 
  •  Saturday 24th September. Liz will be appearing at the Appledore Book Festival.
Tales of the Riverbank with Liz Shakespear