Local children get to the roots of clean water in North Devon

Children from Bradworthy Primary Academy were armed with spades and forks last week in the name of conservation! The class of ten and eleven year olds visited a local farm to help finish planting a new woodland. Over 1,100 trees have been planted at the farm on steep land next to a watercourse, using funding from the Woodland Trust and the Environment Agency. The trees are a mixture of native species characteristic of the area, including oak, birch and rowan, which will develop in to a valuable home for local wildlife. Devon Wildlife Trust's Laurie Jackson said: "The location of the planting next to the watercourse is crucial as it will help to buffer against run-off from the land, which would otherwise enter the River Torridge". She added: "The planting links to existing woodland and will provide more of this important habitat, as well as preventing livestock from accessing the watercourse where they could get stuck." The tree planting was organised by the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA) team. The NIA is a North Devon Biosphere Reserve Partnership project led by Devon Wildlife Trust. The project works across the catchment of the River Torridge to deliver long-term benefits for the environment and local people, by restoring a landscape able to provide essential services such as clean water. Working with local land owners to manage our natural resources is vital to the success of the NIA project. By adapting land management to minimise the amount of nutrients, sediment and pollutants that are reaching our watercourses, the costs of treating our water can be reduced. The project team also want to get local communities involved with their work. This includes parish groups and schools, as well as teaming up with local volunteers. The children from Bradworthy Primary Academy not only worked hard as tree planters for the day, but also had a chance to learn about farming, visit habitats rich in wildlife and walk along a stretch of the River Torridge itself. "Making our way through the soggy culm grassland to get to the river proved one of the most entertaining parts of the day!" said Devon Wildlife Trust Community Outreach Officer, Tamasine Addie. Richard Stephenson, Head Teacher at Bradworthy Primary Academy summed up the activity nicely: "We had a lovely day!" You can learn more about the landowner advice service and community work carried out by the NIA by contacting the team on 01409 221823.

MEET GEORGE PIG! The BIG Sheep, Bideford Sunday 5th May

The Big Sheep are BIG Fans of the hit TV series Peppa Pig & LOVE all the characters. Many of you requested to meet George Pig & now you can! George will be waving goodbye to Peppa, Mummy & Daddy Pig & travelling down to Devon on his own to meet his North Devon fans at the BIG Sheep! The BIG Sheep opens at 10am on Sunday 5th May & you can meet George at intervals throughout the day between 11am until 3.30pm. Enjoy a whole day out of BIG Sheep shows, rides, animals & family entertainment from 10am until 6pm.

OINK OINK - CLICK HERE TO BOOK 25% OFF TICKETS TODAY! 
Please note: Peppa Pig will not be available to meet. This is an exclusive opportunity to meet George Pig only on 5th May 2013. 

WHAT'S NEW AT THE BIG SHEEP
COMING SOON! A 6,500 sq ft Attraction and Events Building, giving even more undercover fun.
TV Favourites - As requested, they will be hosting Mike the Knight for his debut visit to the BIG Sheep. You all loved Scooby so much that he will be returning for another visit in October 2013.
Oink Oink - Our customer's favourite little pig, Peppa, is back by popular demand (25th August) and her favourite brother pig, George, will also be making a special trip to the BIG Sheep on 5th May 2013.
Vintage Pony Carousel - a new ride for our young visitors to enjoyarchery tag
Archery Tag Combat will have the older kids entertained for hours - energetic enough for thrill seekers and safe enough for the whole family to enjoy! OpensSummer 2013
World Record Attempts - you can be part of  the Big Sheep's world record attempts in 2013! Wear your wellies to the BIG Sheep on Sunday 9th June and be in the world's largest Wellie Parade.

 

Visit http://www.thebigsheep.co.uk for full event details

B10 LABYRINTH - LIVING AND WORKING IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

Artist in the Environment, Linda Gordon will be running a workshop to create and explore a B10 Labyrinth at St Anne’s Art & Community Centre in Barnstaple on Saturday 8th June 2013. Saturday 8th June is UN World Environment Day – what better time to explore your relationship with North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve? Linda Gordon will use key words from the North Devon Biosphere word cloud on the B10 website for participants to focus on as they make their labyrinth journey.  The word cloud is being built by visitors to the B10 website who have contributed the word which sums up the Biosphere Reserve for them. Linda says “Often regarded as a journey into one’s Self and out again. I personally regard the labyrinth as a sort of ‘locating device’, a way of grounding myself, and aligning myself with the movement of life (the laws of nature). Walking a labyrinth lets me know just who I am, and where I am in the world.I see the Biosphere as a large area of North Devon, containing a vast diversity of habitat, wildlife and people - all with their different histories, experiences and requirements.  At the same time there is a sense of harmony and balance – of all aspects working together for the benefit of the whole.  There is a sense of everything and everyone having their unique character, yet all being intricately interconnected… a sense that in fact we are all one. The labyrinth seems to be a good metaphor for describing the Biosphere .  There is an obvious parallel between the focus on wholeness, the awareness of the multi-facetted, interdependent   nature of life and their function as focal-points for grounding oneself in a place.

I read on the Biosphere website that it is “an area providing sustainable economic development whilst protecting biological and cultural diversity”.  In my view, sustainable development is not just about financial growth, vitally important though that is. The ability of people and nature to flourish and live happily together is an important component of the health and wealth of an area – hence the importance of activities that enhance the quality of life for everyone.”

The B10 labyrinth workshop is being held at St Anne’s Art & Community Centre, Paternoster Row, Barnstaple EX31 1BH on Saturday 8th June 2013 10 am to 3 pm.  Participation cost is £15 and bookings can be made online at www.lindagordon.org.uk by telephoning Linda on 01237 478875 or emailing lg@lindagordon.org.uk.

For more information on B10 and to see (and add your own word to) the B10 cloud visit  http://www.northdevonb10.org.uk/the-b10-cloud.html

B10 Plantwalks with Clare Gurton ? get to know your local wild flowers

Get to know your local wild flowers with Plantwalk expert Clare Gurton in Hartland. Local writer and botanical enthusiast Clare Gurton is passionate about re-kindling our associations with wild plants. Clare has organised a series of weekly guided Plantwalks in Hartland to be a part of B10 - the North Devon Biosphere’s tenth anniversary celebrations. These friendly outings, where you can find and learn about plants growing on local verges, begin in April, are usually of 2 hours duration and will be held on a Wednesday evening from 6pm. This is a unique opportunity to see the North Devon Biosphere from a different angle, to learn more about identifying local wild flowers and to enjoy some of the fascinating stories associated with them. Clare says “Plantwalk was born because of my belief that any knowledge of local wildlife is better than none; because just 'knowing' the odd local wild plant can enrich any experience of the natural world.” Living within the Biosphere area means this to Clare “… for me, the high coastal plateaus offer me a mental peace that comes from open skylines and the wilderness of the sea; the small valley wild woods give me stimulation and excitement which comes from an opportunity for exploration and discovery. The intricate plant and insect associations of the culm allow me to loose myself to geology and history and dreaming about what could have been. This area of north Devon still has a feel of untamed-ness; a little wild and unruly but with great depth.” “Walking is good for your physical and mental health and so are wild plants - join me to take a closer look at our local network of verges and learn about the huge variety of insects and birds that depend on them Smell the gorse, taste the sorrel, learn about country names and recipes and go home inspired and interested.”

Plantwalk places are limited so please do contact Clare to book a place and enjoy this unique ‘up close and personal’ look at our Biosphere. Clare Gurton 01237 441205 Email: info@plantwalk.co.uk For more information etc…www.plantwalk.co.uk

LIVE AT THE FACTORY: ELECTROSWING WITH CABARET VOLTAIRE MR. PUCKEY AND DONJOHNSTON

Poets, Earls, bounders and cads, Cabaret Voltaire requests the pleasure of your company at one of its celebrated ElectroSwing nights. Leave your troubles at the door and return to the decadence of the 1920's! ElectroSwing is the decadent new old music that is sweeping the country like swine flu didn't. The house and hip-hop beats inspired by jazz swing, played by the excellent disc jockeys Mr Puckey and DonJohnston will set you straight on your feet and dancing the night away! Catch DonJohnston before he is whisked off to play at Boomtown Festival. If that's not enough, we commence the entertainment with free swing dancing lessons and circus performances from Exeter Circus Society. Please come in 1920's fancy dress; we want you darlings to look expensive! And step into our 1920's Photo Booth for a free snap of yourself and friends looking fabulous. Our friends at Very Vintage Hire will have a splendid selection of candy floss to keep you sweet.

Tickets: Advance tickets £5 with more on the door Tickets available from: Beats Workin Barnsaple, Petroc Brannams Campus Reception, and North Devon Theatres Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net/event/386<http://www.undergroundtickets.net/event/386> Listen to them on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/#donjohnston

ELECTROSWING WITH CABARET VOLTAIRE MR. PUCKEY AND DONJOHNSTON LIVE AT THE FACTORY - FRIDAY 27TH APRIL 8PM