North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle

JULY
From 3pm Tue 7th - 3pm Fri 10th July KING CANUTE FIGHTS THE TIDE AT CLOVELLY! In support of Children's Hospice South West. Come and support "Britian's Got Talent" 2009 semi-finalist, MERLIN CADOGAN, as hepPerforms an incredible feat of stamina and endurance to raise money for CHILDREN'S HOSPICE SOUTH WEST at CLOVELLY, North Devon. Merlin will be chained for 72 HOURS to a throne, which will be submerged for 2 hours each high tide. Normal admission charges apply. Contact 01237 431781 or see www.clovelly.co.uk.
Wednesday 8th July 3pm Teddy Bear's Picnic for Toddlers at the Big Sheep
Bring along your favourite teddy and picnic rug and enjoy a perfect picnic with the BIG Sheep's resident BIG Bear. You can bring along your own picnic or enjoy a take-a-way picnic and gift from our Shepherd's Restaurant. If the weather is wet, don't despair because we will provide an indoor picnic with all the fun of the outdoors.

Sat. 11-Sun. 12 July LUNDY GIG ROW Clovelly - Cornish pilot gigs were designed to carry pilots out to ships. The first one alongside got the pilotage job, so speed was critical. The row from Clovelly to Lundy and back is a true test of endurance over 28 miles of open sea.

19th July Bideford Water Festival

24th/25th/26th July French Food Market from Normandy will be back to ILFRACOMBE Sea Front on Friday 24th July, CULLOMPTON Town Centre on Saturday 25th July and BIDEFORD, Southern End Quay on Sunday 26th July. The market will be staged from 9.00 till 4.30 each day. Come along and sample products from all regions of France!

Sun. 26 July, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Clovelly Maritime Festival, in support of the N.D. Hospice. It’s traditional seaside entertainment with something for everyone of all ages to enjoy. Merlin Cadogan, one of the finalists in “Britain’s Got Talent” this year, will perform a stunt, which involves juggling with fire while escaping from a 10’ chain with his head inside a diving helmet filled with water. Here’s a chance to see Merlin’s live performance at the Maritime Festival. Stiltskin Theatre Company present the giant sea creatures "Those Peshky Pishkies". Dressed in their fantastic, fishy, finnery, they will shimmer and shimmy on any street corner during their exploration of dry land. Meet Ebb'nFlo who has the gift of the guppy and will talk your fishy head off. But beware; they like to take home souvenirs and whilst you are lured into Ebb'nFlo's fishy flippancies, Naughtycus will make a catch. You may be lucky, however and get some precious sea sparkles in return! The day is packed with attractions including Punch & Judy, shanty singers, street theatre and there will also be local stalls. You can also enjoy delicious, seafood platters with a complimentary glass of champagne in the Harbour Restaurant or a succulent hog roast on the beach. (Normal admission charges apply)

Departing Port Isaac Friday 25 July, arriving Clovelly Sat. 26 July Classic Cliffs UK trail-running event. First runners expected to arrive at Clovelly by 11 a.m. Normal admission charges apply. Over 100 people will be slogging a gruelling 55 miles through Friday night from Port Isaac to Clovelly.
Watch them race (perhaps limp) the final yards down our traffic-free, cobbled street to the finishing line at the harbour.

Mon. 27 July Woolsery Agricultural Show, Clovelly Court,. A quintessential English rural show, in aid of various charities, run entirely on a volunteer basis by local farmers. Classes include crafts, cattle and sheep, along with horse and pony competitions.

27th July Appledore/Instow Regatta Gig Races

AUGUST

Photo Spirit of Clovelly copyright Rob Weare

Sat. 1 - Sun. 2 August Lifeboat Weekend, in support of the R.N.L.I. The celebration of the Clovelly Lifeboat, Spirit of Clovelly, is one of the village highlights of the year and the Lifeboat House will be open to the public on both days. There'll be a sponsored swim on Saturday and lots of contests on Sunday including cross dressing-up race, 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 a day. Also harbour stalls. (Photo "Spirit of Clovelly" copyright Rob Weare

2nd August 11am-8pm Ilfracombe Pier. Wurzels Flying High at South West Birdman 2009. The Wurzels will be the headlining act at Ilfracombe's South West Birdman 2009, although they may well be overshadowed by the 'would-be aviators'! The annual South West Birdman competition involves a lot of crazy people or so called 'would-be aviators' flinging themselves off the pier to see who can 'fly' the furthest or at least plummet hilariously into the waiting sea. South West Birdman 2009, probably the biggest and best Birdman event in the UK for 2009, is organised by Ilfracombe Round Table and is not just about people flying from the pier it also raises thousands of pounds for local and national causes. South West Birdman 2009 is an all-day event starting at 11am and running through to 8pm with live music all day. As well as The Wurzels and the 'wannabe aviators', there will also be rides, stalls, BBQ, lots of entertainment including free magic shows and much more. All this adds up to a fun-packed and unique day out in a stunning setting. If you are mad enough to want to have a go at flying entry packs are available to download from the Ilfracombe Round Table website . Ticketing prices will be £6 for Adults and £3 for Children. You are free to come and go as you like after paying the initial admission fee.. Ilfracombe Round Table are also looking for sponsors and volunteers; so get in touch with them if you can help. For more information call 01271 883502 why not visit the Ilfracombe Round Table website at www.ilfracomberoundtable.co.uk

Wed 5th August North Devon Show
17th - 19th August Spinning Festival at the Big Sheep From 11am each day
Discover what can happen to the sheep wool you see here at the BIG Sheep. Some of the UK's finest spinners will be visiting the BIG Sheep for a mini spinning, weaving and needle felting festival and you can learn first hand what you can create using sheep wool. As well as spinning, weaving and needle felting the ladies will be sharing other techniques such as tapestry weaving and dyeing with the visitors and a small selection of knitted bags, scarves, hats and gloves will be on sale.
16th August Appledore Carnival Fun on The Quay begins at 4pm
Saturday 22nd August Greyhound Dog Show at the Big Sheep
Helping raise funds for the Retired Greyhound Trust this Fun dog show is a popular annual event with rosettes presented in all classes from 1st to 6th place. There will be a trophy for overall and reserve in each class. Enter your dog in any of the 12 novelty classes; best bitch, short coat, long coat, rescue, child handler, veteran, best puppy. Last year's event raised almost £600 for The Retired Greyhound Trust a charity dedicated to the welfare of retired racing greyhounds. ... Free parking
Sat. 22 August Pilot Gig Regatta
29th to 31st August North Devon Mini Register Grand Tour o
Monday 31st August 2009 Balloon Convention at the Big Sheep
Come and see our balloon expert create colourful characters from balloons and show you the tricks of the trade so you can impress your friends and family.

SEPTEMBER
Big Sheep Autumn Festival - Just when you thought the summer fun had ended the BIG Sheep will be extending their summer season with an Autumn Festival sponsored by North Devon Journal celebrating our local community. All Events Sponsored by North Devon Journal (At the Heart of all Things Local) o
Saturday 5th September Deliciously Devon with Devon WI's 10am to 5pm at the Big Sheep
Yummy food made by local WI groups, - Scrumptious food to line your larder with local chutneys, jams, home baked pies, apple juice and cider so come and along and support your local produce makers and take home a delicious treat.
Sat 5th September Bideford Carnival and Massed Pipes & Drums

Sun. 6 September, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Lobster & Crab Feast. We pay tribute to Clovelly's famous lobsters and crabs with a day of live folk music, theatre including a lobster hypnotist, localcraftand food stalls, quay kitchen with demonstrations, wine tasting and entertainment for the children too. It's worth mentioning that Bideford Bay lobsters were once under threat until a 'no take zone' was set up around Lundy Island and just a few years on, there has been a threefold increase in the numbers of landable lobsters. It's a Feast, which visitors say has a particularly happy festive atmosphere. Part of AONB's 50th birthday celebrations 2009 - 2010. In support of the National Lobster Hatchery

OCTOBER
Saturday 10th October North Devon's BIGGEST Conker Championships 2pm to 3pm at the Big Sheep
The BIG Sheep is on the look out for North Devon's Conker Champion and children from across Devon will be joining us to battle it out for this prestigious Award. If you would like to enter please ring the BIG Sheep for your Conker Information Pack which will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about conkers and provide you with the training you will need to bring you closer to being North Devon's Conker Champion. (Open to children 5 to 16 years)
Saturday 24th October - Sunday 1st Nov 2009 (Oct ½ term) Halloween at the BIG Sheep - Fun by Day
The BIG Sheep will be no place for the faint hearted this Halloween half term as the famous family fun attraction is transformed into a seriously scary venue with a haunted house, a trip through the forbidden forest.
Thursday 29th October, Friday 30th October & Saturday 31st October 2009 Halloween Evening Parties - Scary by Night
When the sun goes down and the stars come out, the ghouls, goblins, witches, vampires and werewolves come out to play in the forbidden forest. Short version: Ghoulish ghosts, haunted hayrides, wicked witches, scary skeletons. You'll not find a scarier Halloween Festival in the South West.

NOVEMBER
Thursday 5th November Guy Fawke's Fire Works Party AT THE Big Sheep
Wrap up warm and come and join us for a cracking Guy Fawkes Party. Make your own guy and bring him along for our judges to decide which is North Devon's best Guy. If you have the best guy you can light our enormous bonfire which will be lit before a spectacular firework's display.
Tuesday 10th November 2009 Growing Old Disgracefully (for the over 60's!)-
How often have you wanted to recapture your childhood, let your hair down and have a day full of fun and excitement? Well now you can! This is not an excuse to bring the children for a day out - this is YOUR day so if you are over 60 and have a sense of fun you will love the BIG Sheep. As well having fun on the slides, ball pools and ropes in our massive indoor play area you will laugh out loud at our hilarious sheep show and have a bet on the our World Famous Sheep race. We won't let you go home without a rest and you can relax in our Bo-Peep restaurant with a complimentary coffee and slice of delicious home-made cake.

Sunday, 15 November 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Herring Festival, Clovelly. The Herring Festival is held to promote sustainable, carefully managed fishing, which helps safeguard the livelihoods of fishermen and supports the local economy through environmentally sound means. Clovelly's sweet herring was once its staple economy and so a well-justified reason for celebrating the Silver Darlings.There'll be herring dishes, local cider and wine, maritime historian, Mike Smylie, with his Kipperland exhibition and freshly-smoked kippers and bloaters, traditional shanty singers, walk-about theatre and lots of stalls. Part of AONB's 50th birthday celebrations 2009 - 2010.
Sunday 22nd November North Devon Equine Fair (Raising vital funds for the League for the Protection of Horses and South West Equine Protection) The North Devon Equine Fair, is back by popular demand! A full programme of shows will be running throughout the day in the indoor show arena with information on barefoot trimming and remedial hoof care - how horses can be used without shoes to dentistry and veterinary care. Come and meet the experts and discover all you ever need to know about horses.

DECEMBER
Saturday 5th, 12th and 19th December - 9am - 4pm Big Sheep Christmas Farmers' Markets Sponsored by The North Devon Journal "At the heart of all things local"
Psychologists say, "Shopping locally keeps you happy" With a selection of locally produced cheeses, free range turkeys, Christmas cakes, seasonal delicacies, smoked salmon, chutneys and a range of sumptuous foods there will be something to keep everyone happy.
Sunday, 6 December, from about 4 p.m CLOVELLY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, in support of the R.N.L.I. Starting from the Visitor Centre, a brass band leads the procession down to the harbour where carols will be sung. Then, watch out for Father Christmas' arrival. There'll be warming food and drinks and the evening ends with a spectacular firework display.

NORTH DEVON COAST AND COUNTRY PRESS RELEASES
LANDOWNERS TO GAIN FREE NVZ ASSISTANCE (DWT Ref 18/6/09)
Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) is running three free training events next month to help local landowners to complete their Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ's) forms. The course will cover the key issues of the NVZ forms including storage of livestock manures, risk maps, record keeping, closed periods and field application of both organic manures and manufactured fertilisers. Although events are being held within the project's Knowstone & Witheridge and Tamar & Torridge priority areas, they are open to any farmer or landowner who is seeking help. The paper based courses will be held on Wed 1 July and Thurs 16 July and the computer based course will be held on Wed 8 July. All sessions run from 11:30am until 3pm. Lunch is provided. Numbers are limited so booking is essential. The events are being run by DWT's Working Wetlands Project. The project, which began last summer, is restoring, re-creating and reconnecting large areas of Culm Grassland across North Devon. Working Wetlands Project Officer Marie Butterfield said: "Some landowners are unaware that their holdings are within an NVZ. Although NVZ's can create a complex challenge for some landowners, hopefully the regulations will encourage better use of manures and fertilizers leading in turn to improved water quality in local rivers. We hope these sessions will make the process a lot easier for local landowners." For more information about the event and to book a place on the course people should call the Working Wetlands Project Team on 01409 221823. Working Wetlands has been supported by the Tubney Charitable Trust, South West Water, Devon Waste Management, Grantscape, Natural England, Environment Agency and Devon County Council. For more press information from Devon Wildlife Trust contact David Ireland on 01392 260864 or call 07816 342229 * NVZs - Nitrate Vulnerable Zones have been designated across large areas of England as part of an EU-wide drive to reduce pollution from nitrates.

RECORD BUTTERFLY COUNT ON RESERVE ANNIVERSARY (DWT Ref 11June 09)

Marsh fritillaries mating at Stowford copyright DWT

It has been a positive year for the extremely rare and threatened marsh fritillary butterfly on a number of Devon's best nature reserves this month with record numbers being recorded at one. The Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has recorded over 430 marsh fritillaries at its Stowford nature reserve near Bideford, providing an extra reason to celebrate the site's 10th anniversary. The success has been partly put down to the careful management of the Culm Grassland site. DWT's Senior Nature Reserves Officer Gary Pilkington said: "The sunny weather has helped this year but the good numbers have also been down to the particular management regime we have fine tuned over the years including periodic grazing, good scrub control by burning and the encouragement of the butterfly's food plant the Devil's-bit scabious. It's great news that after 10 years of hard work we are starting to see results here at Stowford and thankfully the same techniques have resulted in good counts at our other Culm reserves too. It's very difficult to understand why this species is on the 'danger' list in other parts of Great Britain as it readily responds to sensitive management." Marsh fritillary butterflies appear on the wing from the end of May each year until mid June. They lay their eggs in small heaps on the underside of leaves of Devil's-bit scabious. After hatching, the larvae spin a silken web on the leaves feeding only on sunny days before going into hibernation in August or September. For more information about the reserve visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org Picture: Marsh fritillaries mating at Stowford

FIRST LANDOWNER BENEFITS FROM CHARITY GRANT SCHEME (DWT Ref 10th June09)

Lesley Prior looks out over her recently fence field copyright DWT

Devon Wildlife Trust has this month awarded the first of its capital works grants to a local landowner in North Devon. The awards form an important part of the charity's Working Wetlands project. Lesley Prior from Westcott Farm in the Rackenford area is the proud recipient and has used the grant to install vital fencing to improve the management of her site. The farm was selected as it fell within one of the project's three target areas: Knowstone and Witheridge, Hollow Moor and Torridge & Tamar headwaters. The fencing has enabled Lesley to create separate fields within a larger area allowing better overall management of the site and helping to protect key habitats such as Culm grassland. It is hoped that this will reduce the over-grazing and subsequent poaching by cattle, as well as helping the rare habitat to spread along the farm's valley bottom. Lesley farms Cashmere goats for their luxury fibre which she turns into yarn. She is over the moon with the fencing as it will enable her to show people what goats can really do for the Culm. Lesley said: "Goats are browsers and not grazers and are able to keep down invasive species while allowing rare Culm Grassland treasures to flourish. The grant from DWT is helping us to help wildlife, what more can I ask?" Devon Wildlife Trust's Marie Butterfield oversaw the project. She said: 'Working Wetland's first priority is to ensure wildlife rich habitats in the Culm are well managed and this grant is a significant step towards this goal. Our small grants initiative is set to help landowners carry out capital works, enabling small awkward sites to be managed more easily. This type of work is needed to save these sites from abandonment, scrub encroachment and ultimately loosing the wildlife rich grasslands to more common secondary woodland." Working Wetlands has a total of £20,000 to give out each year. Landowners with holdings of Culm Grassland within one of the target areas and looking for support should contact the Working Wetlands team at the Cookworthy office on 01409 221823. Working Wetlands has been supported by the Tubney Charitable Trust, South West Water, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, Grantscape and Natural England. Picture: Lesley Prior looks out over her recently fence field

LOOKING FOR PRODUCERS IN DEVON (Ref Yarner Trust 10/6/09)
Yarner Christmas Craft Fair & Farmer's Market Saturday 28th November 2009. The Yarner Trust Christmas Craft Fair is a must for everybody's diary, on 28th November. It's been such a success over recent years with over a thousand people attending, that stands are always over subscribed by local artists and designers. This year we're looking for new producers and craftspeople to make their mark on the event and to get everybody talking about what's new and handmade in Devon. The Yarner Trust has recently expanded the craft fair by including a very popular Christmas Farmers Market featuring food as gifts, with the theme 'Handmade in Devon'. The emphasis is on high quality food wrapped and presented beautifully, perfect for christmas gifts. Miniature christmas cakes, luxurious truffles, decorative biscuits and specialist chutneys are just some of the delicious choices available. As well as being able to buy gifts you will be able to place orders for organic turkeys and geese amongst other local produce, and eat delicious home cooked lunches in the famous Yarner café. So why not come to Welcombe (between Bideford and Bude) on 28th November and celebrate christmas with the Yarner Trust. If you are a local producer who is interested in booking a stand, please call Sandra Helsby on 01288-331692 or email sandra@yarnertrust.org

North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Ref AONB 5th June)
Exciting new projects on the North Devon Coast awarded grants.
North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership are delighted to announce their latest grant awards. The North Devon Biosphere Foundation have been awarded £2,250 to organise a conference which will awareness of the special and unique landscapes and habitats of the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and North Devon's Biosphere Reserve. Pete Jollands of the Biosphere Foundation said "We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to run the first ever Marine & Coastal Education Conference in North Devon. The Conference will be for primary and secondary schools and it will focus on supporting and creating opportunities to learn about North Devon's unique and beautiful coastline. " Young people will also be given the opportunity to "Dance the North Devon Coast" this autumn. Appledore Arts have been awarded £5,000 to stage a community dance project in collaboration with 'Dance in Devon' they will hold workshops sessions with trained dance artists in local communities and schools around and the final performance will be help in Hartland in late September. Project leader Fiona Fraser-Smith said: "Appledore Arts and Dance In Devon are very pleased to be awarded funding from the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty . The funding will enable us to develop a unique dance based event to launch a series of event to mark the 50th Anniversary of the designation of the North Devon AONB." If you have a project which will benefit the North Devon Coast and would like to apply for a grant please contact Gigha Berry 01237 423655 or Gigha.Berry@devon.gov.uk

NORTH DEVON NATURE RESERVE'S WOODLAND WORK COMPLETE (Ref DWT 7 May 2009)

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has this month completed a major programme of woodland habitat management at its Halsdon nature reserve near Dolton in North Devon. Halsdon nature reserve is a 57 hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest with mixed deciduous river valley woodland, riverside meadows, marsh and a 2.4km length of the River Torridge. The site has been owned by Devon Wildlife Trust since 1983. The work sees the successful completion of the first year of an ambitious ten year management plan for the site. It has been supported by a grant of £17,210 from Natural England through Defra's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund along with a contribution from the English Woodland Grant Scheme. The project has focussed on improving access around the site for the contractors to better maintain the woodland in the future. The work has also included the removal of some of the dense areas of holly which have been shading out much of the ground flora. In some areas, parts of the oak canopy have been thinned to encourage younger specimens to grow, providing a more varied age structure. Devon Wildlife Trust's Land Management Manager Matt Boydell said: 'It is great to kick start the new ten year management plan for the site with the successful completion of this work. We would like to thank Defra's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund for supporting this project as well as the groups of volunteers which have been out on site over the last few weeks tidying up after the contractors. We hope visitors will notice the difference over the next few seasons with a greater profusion of bluebells carpeting the woodland floor." For more information about DWT's nature reserves visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

GREEN HOLIDAY FIRM BOOSTS REGION'S WILDLIFE (Ref DWT 29 April 2009)

Mathew Retter from Farm and Cottage Holidays accepts certificate from DWT's Tracy Ebbrell

Local county Wildlife Trusts around the South West have benefited from a financial boost this week thanks to funding from a scheme which collects a proportion of the price of bookings from a local holiday company, Farm and Cottage Holidays Ltd based in Bideford.The charities have received more than £12,000 towards funding a series of landscape scale wetlands projects through a Carbon Compensation scheme set up by the Devon Wildlife Trust as an alternative to traditional carbon offset. Matthew Retter from Farm & Cottage Holidays Ltd said: "We are very pleased to see that the program of funding for the wetlands projects is making a tangible difference to the Westcountry's wildlife habitats. This scheme has been designed to ensure that each holiday booking made with us contributes to the work of the local Wildlife Trusts. This forms part of our overall green business aims and we are delighted to be able to work closely with The Wildlife Trusts and make a direct environmental improvement to the region." Tracy Ebbrell from Devon Wildlife Trust set up the scheme. She said: "This corporate relationship is demonstrating that even in testing economic times a key committed corporate supporter Farm and Cottage Holidays acknowledges that a healthy local environment is vital for the prosperity of tourism in the South West. Approximately 80% of visitors to the region state that the main reason for their visit is the environment, therefore it is essential that more investment supports building a more robust landscape." For more information about the scheme visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org and click on 'Corporate Supporters scheme' Photo: Mathew Retter from Farm and Cottage Holidays accepts certificate from DWT's Tracy Ebbrell

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES ALONG THE NORTH DEVON COAST (Ref 19/3/09 AONB
Do you have a project that promotes the unique environment in the coastal parishes of North Devon and Torridge? If so, you are invited to apply for funding from one of the regions most respected environmental organisations. Each year the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership provides grants for projects within the AONB area, through its Sustainable Development Fund, which is now available for 2009. Applications are open to anyone undertaking an environmental project including individuals, community groups, clubs, Parish Council's and businesses. The grants can fund up to 75% of the scheme's total costs. To qualify, projects must meet the following criteria:

o Promote the AONB's vision and goals and contribute to its aims
o Be sustainable
o Show how they can benefit the AONB
o Enhance the local economy, environment and culture
o Have the support of the local community

Projects must be completed by the 31st January 2010 so it is important that they are ready to begin. Dave Edgcombe, AONB Project Officer says: "We are asking local communities, conservation organisations and local businesses to come forward with expressions of interest with regard to this Fund. If you have an environmental project or idea that would provide social and economic benefit within the AONB then we would like to hear from you." North Devon AONB Partnership Chairman Richard Butler says: "We are keen to encourage applications that not only protect and enhance the natural beauty of North Devon AONB, but help us to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of its designation." Expressions of Interest Forms are available on the North Devon AONB Website at www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk For further information please contact Gigha Berry at the Northern Devon Coast & Countryside Service on 01237 423655