North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle is a local community page for North Devon news or coast and countryside press releases. We also welcome submissions from North Devon Local Event organisers. The listing is free for anyone wishing to promote, local village/church events, charity or nonprofitmaking fund raising organisations. It is also free for North Devon musicians, North Devon Arts and festival organisers who wish to promote gigs, events or exhibitions. You can now Join us on Facebook, like us and share your local events. February Highlights. 11th and 12th February 2012 from 11 am-4 pm Hartland Abbey Snowdrop Weekend Hartland Abbey. Enjoy a wonderful day in the snowdrops, some planted hundreds of years ago. See the early daffodils, camellias, hellebores and spring flowers. This year you can choose to come on either the Saturday or the Sunday for the first time. Read all about Hartland Abbey Wildflower Walks on the North Devon Coast and Country Chronicle Blogspot- Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) is offering its popular adopt a species scheme this month suggesting to supporters that it is a great alternative gift for Valentines Day. The adopt a species scheme, launched in 2009 through the DWT website, www.devonwildlifetrust.org allows people to support the Trust's conservation work in Devon, protecting habitats and species for future generations to enjoy. Click here to add your event to the 2012 Community Calendar - It's Free! Scroll down for local events: click here to read latest coast and country press releases

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NORTH DEVON COAST & COUNTRY EVENTS (We advise that you check with local Tourist Information Centres to ensure events are taking place, to confirm dates & times or see local press for further details) NB. Clovelly Events 2012 Events, dates and content may be subject to change, so please consult www.clovelly.co.uk for latest details. Scroll down for the latest press releases

NORTH DEVON LIVE New for 2012 'SUMMER THEATRE SEASON IN THE GARDENS OF HARTLAND ABBEY' (in conjunction with The Plough Arts Centre) Events, dates and content may be subject to change, so please visit www.hartlandabbey.com for latest details

JANUARY 2012

28-29th January Big Garden Birdwatch

Click here for Big Sheep Winter Opening, Ice Skating and Toboganning

FEBRUARY 2012

11th and 12th February 2012 from 11 am-4 pm Hartland Abbey Snowdrop Weekend Hartland Abbey, Hartland, North Devon EX39 6DT BRIEF Enjoy a wonderful day in the snowdrops, some planted hundreds of years ago. See the early daffodils, camellias, hellebores and spring flowers. This year you can choose to come on either the Saturday or the Sunday for the first time. Please do bring as many dogs as possible, they love all the walks! Dogs and children (under 5) free. Adults £3.50. House open at extra charge For further information please ring 01237 441234 or visit www.hartlandabbey.com

MARCH 2012

Sunday, 18 March 2012, from 11am-4pm Hartland Abbey Daffodil Day and Mothering Sunday Hartland Abbey, Hartland, North Devon EX39 6DT. Hartland Abbey is holding their Daffodil Day again this year on Mothering Sunday. It will be a lovely chance to come with the family to see the wonderful collection of historic daffodils, many planted 150 years ago. Dogs and children (under 5) free, over 5 £1. Adults £3.50. House open at extra charge For further information please ring 01237 441234 or visit www.hartlandabbey.com

APRIL 2012

Sunday 22 to Sunday 29 April 2012 from 11am to 5pm Hartland Abbey Bluebell Week Hartland Abbey, Hartland, North Devon EX39 6DT For 2012 Hartland Abbey is having a 'Bluebell Week' instead of just two specific Sundays. It gives everyone a chance to visit on a day of their choice, especially if the weather is variable! The legendary bluebells at Hartland Abbey stretch from the Walled Gardens to the sea. Dogs and children (under 5) free, over 5 £1. Adults £3.50. House open at extra charge For further information please ring 01237 441234 or visit www.hartlandabbey.com

MAY

CLOVELLY NEW FOR 2012 Saturday 5 May-Sunday 6 May Clovelly Folk Festival. This new event is shaping up to be a spectacular ‘must see’, with well known local folk bands, buskers and Morris dancers at different venues throughout the village over the whole weekend and Special Celebrity Guest performance! Tickets for the event are priced at £15 Adult and £35 family (2A+2C) Local camping available. See our website www.clovelly.co.uk for further details. A great weekend of musical fun with folk bands, buskers and Morris dancers. Saturday 26 May - Monday 28 May Clovelly Celebration of Local Ales and Cider Red Lion and New Inn bars Normal admission charges apply. Enjoy a range of tasty local brews. These unique local ales and ciders are not industrially manufactured, but created with passion by small North Devon breweries. So come along and raise a glass to support North Devon's brewers and cider makers.

JUNE

Saturday, 2nd June New Inn Street Party in celebration of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Clovelly village Normal admission charges apply Details to follow.

Sun 17 June 7pm. Plough Community Theatre presents Twelfth Night or Dickens. Tickets: Full £10, Conc £8, Supporters £7, Family of 5 £35, Family of 3 £21. www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Box Office: 01805 624624 Bring rugs, chairs and picnics; there will also be refreshments available.

Departs Saturday 23rd June; returning Sunday 24th June Lundy Gig Row Clovelly harbour Normal admission charges apply. The row from Clovelly to Lundy and back across 32 miles of open seas is a huge test of endurance - depending upon the weather and tides it can take up to four hours. Pilots rowed these speedy craft out to ships, battling to be the first alongside to win the pilotage job. So come along and support the brave crews! Leaving Clovelly 8.00 am, arriving at Lundy about 11.00 am. Leaving Lundy about 1.00, arriving back at Clovelly about 4.00 pm

JULY

Sat 7 July 7pm Miracle Theatre presents 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde Tickets: Full £12.50, Conc £10, Supporters £9, Family of 5 £45, Family of 3 £27 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Box Office: 01805 624624 Bring rugs, chairs and picnics; there will also be refreshments available. Events, dates and content may be subject to change, so please visit www.hartlandabbey.com for latest details Sunday, 15 July Clovelly Maritime Festival in support of the North Devon Hospice. From 10:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. Clovelly harbour. Normal admission charges include all entertainment. This great day out is packed with attractions, including rousing shanty singers, Punch and Judy, maritime themed entertainment, local stalls and more. Enjoy fresh seafood or a succulent spit roast on the quay and delicious, fresh strawberry and cream teas at the New Inn. Monday, 30th July Woolsery Agricultural Show, in aid of various charities Clovelly Court Summer in North Devon would not be complete without a visit to this ever popular show. Classes include crafts, cattle and sheep, together with horse and pony competitions. You'll find bustling trade and exhibition stands with stalls offering locally made crafts and food and fairground rides and a bouncy castle for the children. It's a great summer day out for all the family!

AUGUST

Wed 1st August 5pm Illyria Theatre presents 'The Twits' by Roald Dahl Tickets: Full £12.50, Conc £10, Supporters £9, Family of 5 £45, Family of 3 £27. www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Box Office: 01805 624624 Bring rugs, chairs and picnics; there will also be refreshments available. Events, dates and content may be subject to change, so please visit www.hartlandabbey.com for latest details Saturday, 4th and Sunday, 5th August 2012 Lifeboat Weekend in aid of the R.N.L.I. From 10:00 a.m. Clovelly harbour Normal admission charges apply. Held in aid of the RNLI, it is a popular celebration of the Clovelly Lifeboat, Spirit of Clovelly. The Lifeboat House will be open both days to the public. On Saturday there'll be a sponsored swim from Bucks Mills to Clovelly. On Sunday enjoy a cross dressing-up race, a tug-of-war and the ever popular slave auction in which young local men are 'sold' to the highest bidder to do their chores for the day. With many local stalls, a cobble race, an auction of pledges, a lifeboat display and a helicopter flypast. Tues 14th August 5pm Cambridge Touring Theatre presents 'King Arthur and The Sword in the Stone'. Ages 3-12 and family. There will also be a Drama Workshop for 5 - 10 yr olds, 3.30pm -4.15pm (max 32 @£3 each) Tickets: Full £12.50, Conc £10, Supporters £9, Family of 5 £45, Family of 3 £27. www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Box Office: 01805 624624 Bring rugs, chairs and picnics; there will also be refreshments available. Events, dates and content may be subject to change, so please visit www.hartlandabbey.com for latest details Saturday 18th August Clovelly Gig Regatta Clovelly Harbour Normal admission charges apply. The West Country boasts a long tradition of racing pilot gigs. Gig racing is exciting, strenuous and often downright dangerous, with crews reaching speeds of 9 knots in North Devon's powerful tidal waters. You're assured an exhilarating day's racing.

SEPTEMBER

Sunday, 2 September : Clovelly Lobster and Crab Feast In support of the National Lobster Hatchery 10.00 am-5pm Clovelly harbour. Normal admission charges apply We pay tribute to Clovelly's famous lobsters and crabs with a day of live folk music, quay kitchens, beer tasting, local food stalls, prize draw, arts and crafts stalls. For the children there's face painting, a creative workshop and storytelling, walkabout magic, balloon modelling, street theatre and N. Devon A.O.N.B.'s event-themed craft activities. The Red Lion Harbour restaurant will be offering delicious seafood, crab and lobster platters, each with a complimentary glass of bubbly. In aid of the National Lobster Hatchery at Padstow, who will bring along a tank of baby lobsters, to be later released into the sea. http://www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk/ Sat 1st Sept 7pm Heartbreak Theatre presents 'Private Lives' by Noel Coward. Tickets: Full £12.50, Conc £10, Supporters £9, Family of 5 £45, Family of 3 £27. www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Box Office: 01805 624624 Bring rugs, chairs and picnics; there will also be refreshments available. Events, dates and content may be subject to change, so please visit www.hartlandabbey.com for latest details

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Sunday, 18 November Clovelly Herring Festival From 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Clovelly Harbour Normal admission charges apply. Clovelly was once a major centre for herring fishing. This popular festival is held in support of sustainable fishing by traditional methods and to celebrate the herring, the Silver Darlings of the sea. There'll be herring specialities, beer and cider, traditional shanty singers, street entertainment, local stalls and the N. Devon A.O.N.B. will provide event-themed, free craft activities. Mike Smylie will return with his 'Kipperland' exhibition and smoke his delicious kippers and bloaters. There will also be net making, flax processing and a curragh on show provided by 'Flaxland', plus local stalls. Clovelly Herring Festival featured in: Countryfile Magazine, November 2011 Channel 4's River Cottage series http://www.visuallink.co.uk/client_media/media/184/Clovelly_Herring_Festival_2009_Video/ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article6977974.ece http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2008/11/04/clovelly_herring_feature.shtml http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/sep/20/fivebest.uk

DECEMBER

Sunday, 2 December Christmas Lights in support of the R.N.L.I. Starting about 3.30pm from the Visitor Centre. Free admission from 3pm with a small parking charge which is donated to the R.N.L.I.. Christmas is a magical time at Clovelly. A local brass band leads the procession down to the harbour and accompanies Christmas carols sung with the Torridge Male Voice Choir. A hog roast, punch and mince pies follow and Father Christmas makes a surprise visit. At about 5 p.m. the switch is thrown and the entire village and harbour are lit up. It's a fantastic sight and there is a grand finale of fireworks to finish off.

Please visit the northdevonfocus.blog.spot. which we hope will be an interesting addition to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle. Blog Roll: Click here to read post & see pictures of the Clovelly Herring Festival.: Clovelly Highlights. Shimmering Lobsters & Sea Shanties read post & see pictures of the Clovelly Lobster & Crab Fest.:Swallows and Waterfalls - Ilfracombe In the Sun, The North Devon Snow Party's Over, Bideford Bay Beachcombing, Peppercombe Chronicles - Rosemoor Scents and Sensibility - Tamar Otter & Wildlife Park "In Search of Tarka"

NORTH DEVON COAST AND COUNTRY PRESS RELEASES - see also North Devon Focus Blogspot

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Otterly in love at Valentines - public show fondness for Adopt a Species scheme Ref: DWT 1 Feb 2012
Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) is offering its popular adopt a species scheme this month suggesting to supporters that it is a great alternative gift for Valentines Day. The adopt a species scheme, launched in 2009 through the DWT website, www.devonwildlifetrust.org allows people to support the Trust's conservation work in Devon, protecting habitats and species for future generations to enjoy. People can choose to 'adopt' from a list of five lovable species: dormouse, otter, dolphin, bat and hedgehog. With each £20 donation, purchasers will receive a soft toy of their chosen species along with a welcome letter, fact sheet, certificate, a postcard of the species, a fun activity book, a pack of six colouring pencils and an update letter after six months. DWT's Phoebe Grubb said: 'This is a great way for people to support our work - adopt a species makes the perfect gift for nature loving adults at this time of the year! The packs come with great little cuddly animals and are a really nice way to show your love for someone special.' The money raised through the scheme goes towards the costs of carrying out conservation work throughout the county benefiting these species and the habitats that they need to thrive. To adopt a species today, visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244

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FRESH FOOD BYTES. The Farm Shop at the Big Sheep in Abbotsham is open all year round. You'll find a great selection of local produce from the area, including items from the Christmas farmers market suppliers, and best of all fruit and vegetables with virtually no food miles as they are from our allotments in Abbotsham. The Farm Shop is based at the top of the BIG Sheep car park (where the garden centre used to be) so there is plenty of free car parking and entry to the farm shop is free as you do not need to enter the BIG Sheep attraction if you just wish to visit the shop. Phoebe Gibb from Abbotsham is running the farm shop aswell as the BIG Sheep Shepherds restaurant. She's a foodie lover with a wealth of knowledge on local produce and has 2 books published on cookies and cakes. Phoebe would love to meet you and get your ideas of what you'd like to see stocked in the farm shop, so drop in, have a look around and by all means any products that are not stocked (any of your Christmas farmers market favourites!) do tell her. The farm shop is open 10am - 6pm 7 days a week. Fresh Fish from Dan the Fish Man is also now available. Brill, Plaice, Dressed Crab, Line caught seabass, Lundy cod, and Natural Smoked Haddock.

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