Has Santa’s beard been found in North Devon?

If Father Christmas appears beardless in our skies this Christmas then he could do worse than to visit North Devon to reclaim his famous white facial fuzz.

The discovery of a rare and weird looking fungus has led to it being nicknamed ‘Santa’s beard’ by amazed staff at the wildlife conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust. The fungus, which is more usually known by its scientific name Hericium erinaceus and by other names including hedgehog fungus and lion’s mane fungus, has been spotted near the village of Thornbury, in North Devon. The fungus is rarely seen in the UK and it’s thought to be only the second sighting of it in Devon, and only the 215th time it has been recorded in the UK since 1923.

The white, football-sized mass was spotted growing from the trunk of a tree by Meg Galley-Taylor as she drove along a road close to her North Devon home. Meg said:

“People call me ‘Curious Meg’ so of course I spotted the fungus! It is large, white and very conspicuous. I had no idea what it was but I knew I had never seen anything like it before.”

After returning with binoculars and her camera, Meg set about researching the strange object, trying to find out just what it was. Meg said:
 

“In the end I posted the picture on-line and then I started to get a response. At that point I thought, oh wow, this is seriously rare.”
 

Meg also reported her sighting to leading conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust. The Trust’s Steve Hussey said:
 

“This fungus is usually spotted in North American and Asia but has occurred in the South West of England only rarely before. We’re so pleased that Meg managed to spot it and tell us about it. Fungi come in wondrous and fascinating forms, but this is one of the most unusual we’ve ever seen.”
 

“Its weird shape and shaggy appearance, combined with the Christmas spirit here in the office, to make us wonder if the fungus could be part of the Santa Claus story? If the great man does appear without his beard this Christmas then we will know where to send him to look for it: it’ll be hanging on a tree in North Devon.”

Santa's Beard (Hedgehog Fungus) Photo copyright Meg Galley-Taylor (All Rights Reserved

Make volunteering your new year's resolution. Can you help Marie Curie in Barnstaple or Ilfracombe?

Marie Curie provides support for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support to help them get the most from the time they have left. We are now looking for volunteers in the Barnstaple and Ilfracombe area. If you think you could spare them a few hours of your time, we would love to hear from you.
 

Collection Box Co-ordinators in Barnstaple or Ilfracombe
You’ll be amazed how much money is donated through collection boxes placed within the local community, and as a Collection Box Coordinator you will be responsible for your own network of boxes in your local area. Whether it’s a local shop or leisure centre, the more boxes you can place and collect, the more money you will raise for Marie Curie.
 

As a Collection Box Coordinator you will visit existing sites a few times a year to swap full tins for empty ones and use your local knowledge to seek new locations. You’ll also play a key part in the Great Daffodil Appeal in March, Marie Curie’s flagship fundraising campaign, by helping to place and collect daffodil boxes.
 

This role is flexible and varied, so you can really make it your own. You can organise your time so that your volunteering fits around your life - what could be better?
 

Collection Hosts in Barnstaple or Ilfracombe
Are you enthusiastic, sociable and good at dealing with money? Marie Curie are looking for people to help coordinate local store collections, particularly during the Great Daffodil Appeal in March. This would involve welcoming collectors on the day, providing them with the kit they need for the collection and counting and banking the income. The collection host will be asked to look after a few collections a year.
 

For more information please call Riona Houghton on 01179420129 or email riona.houghton@mariecurie.org.uk

ABOUT The Great Daffodil Appeal The Great Daffodil Appeal is Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign and encourages everyone to give a donation in return for a daffodil pin during March. Money raised helps Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families. Daffodil pins are available from our volunteers across the country and in Superdrug, Spar and Poundworld stores, and Wyevale Garden Centres. Morrisons supermarkets held fundraising collections on 10, 11 & 12 March across all of their 490 stores. For more information call 0800 304 7025 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil

*Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. Your call may be recorded for quality and training purposes.

ABOUT Marie Curie – care and support through terminal illness - Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance. Marie Curie employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and with its nine hospices around the UK, is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.
For more information visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk
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New ‘mindfulness trail’ launched at popular Devon nature reserve

An East Devon beauty-spot has become the venue for a new ‘mindfulness trail’, promising visitors the chance to get away from some of the worst stresses and strains of modern life.

The trail has been established at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Bystock Pools nature reserve, in East Devon, and is the brainchild of local woman Clare Carter. The 46 year old from Exmouth created the mindfulness trail because she wanted to help other people to “slow down and switch off” from the demands of 21st century living.

The trail leads participants to 25 points around the varied nature reserve which features ponds, heathland, woodland and meadows. At each place people are asked to undertake an act of mindfulness ranging from the simple “take four deep breaths and stretch”’ to the more contemplative “Watch the water falling, listen to the sound of the water and watch the ripples”.

The trail has been designed to be done in short or long form, ranging from 60 to 90 minutes. It urges people to slowdown, to walk at an easy pace, reminding them that “mindfulness is about focusing on the present” and asks them to “let go of any distractions and bring back your attention to your surroundings”.

The inspiration for the trail came to Clare as a way of combining her interests in mindfulness and wildlife. Clare said:

“I was introduced to Bystock Pools nature reserve in the late nineties and now call it my second home! My main hobby is natural history, especially dragonflies. I also enjoy yoga, mindfulness and meditation. I wanted to create a walk which included some mindfulness techniques to help people switch off from their busy lives and encourage them to live in the moment.

I love being at Bystock and this Mindfulness walk has 'slowed' me down and allows me to switch off my busy mind! I hope it will help others too.”

Bystock Pools is one of 50 nature reserves cared for by Devon Wildlife Trust. The charity’s Steve Hussey welcomed the new trail:

“People visit our wildlife havens for lots of different reasons. Some will be real nature enthusiasts, perhaps searching for a particular bird, plant or insect, but many others will be there because of the sense of peace and tranquillity that these special places provide. This new mindfulness trail is a reminder to us all of how important nature reserves are to the health and well-being of people, as well as wildlife.”

A copy of the Bystock Pools mindfulness trail can be downloaded for free from the Devon Wildlife Trust website www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wildlife/reserves

 

  Bystock Pools "Mindfulness Trail"  - Photo copyright Sheila Hancox (All Rights Reserved)

 

Devon Wildlife Trust's Bystock Pools "Mindfulness Trail" the brainchild of Clare Carter