North Devon Focus. Spring and the Bubble of Life

Well its been a mizzly, wet start to the year and so it continues. Although I love a misty astmospheric shot ..enough is enough.

I'm so looking forward to Spring sunshine, such a wonderful time of year on the North Devon coast.

In my garden the Hellebores are first to make an appearance. The Daffodils and Primroses beginning to bloom and the long shoots of the Bluebells and Tulips rising. A bonus of not weeding, the side garden is full of Lesser Celanadine which will add a little mellow yellow to the mix. The first flowering Marsh Marigold has emerged in the pond.

Amazingly the Hedgehogs have been visiting the feeding station all through the Winter bar just one week. We have three, I think and the push and pushy behaviour has started all seen on the Trail cam.

Birds still visiting and beginning to chirp, the marauding Starlings seem to have moved on but I spotted the arrival of the Siskins last week, the Woodpecker yesterday so do hope they are nesting nearby. The Lilac and Pussy Willow trees are in bud and by the look of the new Cherry Trees and Magnolia the blossom will be pretty spectacular. Most of all I look forward to the Dawn Chorus, return of the House Martins, Swallows and Swifts, the real start of Spring.

Out the window I have seen and photgraphed some spectacular skies, sunsets, cloud formations and rainbow light, at one time the field was covered in Rooks. Migrating birds are constant visitors to the field throughout the year, a reminder that the rotation of cattle and sheep grazing are vitally important to the ecosystem.

At the end of January ITV NEWS reported how "Harmattan winds would sprinkle a covering of Saharan dust across the UK" and I captured that amazing sky. (Scroll down for photo)

The wind and rain has been non-stop, I've lost count of the number of named storms but looking forward to getting out and about in the sunlight on the coast and in the countryside. Love where you live💚

 

Ecosystem. "An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life."

 

Another flaming sky. According to the news this sky was influenced by Saharan dust.

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Pat Adams' North Devon Focus. My North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle

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Edenmore Nursing Home, Ilfracombe - Fulfilling a Meaningful Wish for Robert Hearn

Robert Hearn has lived at Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe since March 2023 and sadly lives with advanced cancer. In a conversation with one of Edenmore’s care assistants, Carol, Robert wistfully said that a wish before his next journey was a simple one, to have a pint of his favourite cider with his friends in his old local pub The Village Inn in Westward Ho!. 

So Carol and Gayle, Edenmore’s Home Manager, didn’t hesitate to make arrangements! Timing for the 45 minute journey was perfect as the home had recently bought a new car specifically for residents, who are fondly referred to as family members, so this was momentous also as Robert was first to have a run out in it! 

First step was for Gayle to contact Roberts’ closest friend, Peter Mills, who then arranged for other friends of Robert to meet in the pub. As Robert entered The Village Inn,” the sheer emotion was indescribable” says Gayle who went along with Robert and Carol, “literally all of the pub welcomed him, the love shown was just beautiful, the familiarity for Robert, sat at his usual table, with his favourite bird magazine ready to read, and the most important part a pint of cider! 

Carol and Gayle was there to support Robert and also to make memories, “this is why I work in social care, this is my purpose, some call this person-centred care but to me it’s simply about seeing a person and doing what’s in my heart which is simply being compassionate”. Part of the support in the home for Robert is for eating and drinking and Gayle said with a smile on her face “at one point I had to support the pint of cider whilst Robert was drinking, he joked that he thought I was taking it off him and asked if he could have another one, he chuckled for a long time when I said I can’t tell you how many to have, that’s your choice, so he continued with a couple more!”

After a pint (or two) Robert, Gayle and Carol headed down to the promenade for a stroll, again something Robert used to enjoy doing after a pint when living in the area. Gayle continued “I thought walking in to the pub was emotional but the car journey back was another level of emotion, Robert cried for most of the journey but happy emotions, he just kept repeating thank you, thank you, and how overwhelmed he was with his friends turning up to see him.”

The Team at Edenmore are there not only to support Robert to be comfortable and to show nothing but love and compassion during this time leading to his next journey, but to ensure Robert still lives with dignity, encourages independence and to ensure Robert is able to make choices, his choices, not confined to any society norms that may be perceived during this journey, he has lived life and still remains living life until he chooses not to.

The support on the Westward Ho! Community Facebook page has been explosive, just evidencing the love and support this truly remarkable gent is surrounded by.

 Robert and friends at the The Village Inn in Westward Ho!.

Young Robert holding a baby badger and a baby fox

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 To find out more about Edenmore Nursing Home please visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

March Highlights. The Burton celebrates local talent of all ages in their latest exhibitions

The popular Friends Annual Open and The Annual Schools exhibitions have opened their doors at the Burton Art Gallery. The galleries are bursting with artwork from an array of local talented artists and our next generation of artists. A feast for the eyes, the shows are not to be missed!

The Annual Schools Exhibition plays a crucial role in shaping the future of culture by nurturing and encouraging the young artists of tomorrow. This year the show has filled gallery one with vibrancy, colour and creativity; celebrating the talents of our next generation of artists while also celebrating our inspiring teachers in the schools of Torridge and beyond.

Featuring hundreds of work by young people aged 5 to 18 years who attend local primary and secondary schools, the exhibition is a firm favourite that never fails to delight and impress. It’s an opportunity for aspiring artists to showcase their talents as well as receive recognition and support, and gain valuable experience in the arts. With generous sponsorship from The North Devon Arts Society, the exhibition encourages young artists to strive for excellence with the opportunity to win prizes for the most innovative and original artwork.

Gallery two showcases The Friends Annual Open exhibition. A calendar favourite the show is organised as a fundraising event by the Friends of the Burton, offering an opportunity for local artists, both amateur and professional, to exhibit alongside each other. Featuring an eclectic mix of print, paintings, textiles, ceramics and more.

The work of the Burton at Bideford is supported by the dedication, hard work and enthusiasm of the Friends of the Burton Art Gallery. The Friends are a separate charity that support and enhance the Burton’s work. The Friends of the Burton get involved in fundraising, sponsorship of events and acquisitions, and promotion of The Burton throughout the region.

The Burton at Bideford is lucky enough to work with a number of key partner organisations, generous artists and local business people who help provide support for us to achieve our daily work and future ambitions. As a registered charity, The Burton rely on the kindness of others to help us continue to provide excellent exhibitions, events and facilities. Donations enable us to grow our exhibition and learning programmes, build our collections and develop the technology offered at the Burton.
 

Both exhibitions are on display until April 7

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The Burton Art Gallery & Museum, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2QQ
Tel: 01237 471455 www.theburton.org

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Mon-Sat 10am-4pm | Sun 11am-4pm Admission is free