British Naturalists’ Association – local programme, 2024.

BRITISH NATURALISTS’

ASSOCIATION

TAW AND EXMOOR BRANCH

Local Secretary

Brian Sims

9 Old Torrington Road

Barnstaple

North Devon

EX31 2DD

Tel: (01271) 343607

PROGRAMME TO JANUARY, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE – PARTICIPATION AT ALL EVENTS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Sunday April 14th

A circular Spring walk down through Brownsham Woods to the coast for birds, flowers and early butterflies. Meet at CP* at 9.30 am or if going direct at 10.15 am in the Brownsham car park (Map Ref SS 288 260).Bring a packed lunch and sturdy footwear. Possible cream tea afterwards.

Sunday May 19th

A walk around Emsworthy Mire for bluebells and Summer migrants including the cuckoo (hopefully). Meet at the CP* at 9.00am or if going direct then at 10.45 am at the car park at Emsworthy (Map Ref SX 748 763)

If time then a visit to Bovey Heathfield nature reserve (Map Ref SX 825 765) for a different selection of wildlife. Followed by a cream tea. Bring suitable footwear and a packed lunch..

Sunday June 2nd

A walk around the DWT reserve at Volehouse (Map Ref SS 347 165 ) for flowers and marsh fritillary butterflies. Meet at the Pill car park in Bideford at 9.30 am as limited parking on site. In the afternoon we have been invited to view the wild flower meadow belonging to the Tudor House known as Cory Manor House. The owners are happy to offer us a cream tea, Appropriate footwear and bring a packed lunch.

June 10th-14th

BNA trip to Dorset. Book in at the Kingston Country Courtyard Tel : 01929 481066. Details on visits to Arne, Brownsea Island etc. to follow.

Sunday July 14hh

A circular walk at Hartland Point. Meet at the Pill car park, Bideford at 10.00 am or 10.45 am if going direct at the Hartland Point car park (Map Ref SS 235 276) . Possible car park charge. Bring a packed lunch and sturdy footwear. There is a cafe in the car park.

Sunday August 11th

A walk out to Baggy Point for birds, flowers, butterflies and possibly seals. Meet at CP* at 9.30 am or if going direct then in the Baggy Point car park (Map Ref SS 432 397) (Post code EX33 1PA).at 10.15 am Car park charge. Bring a packed lunch and sturdy footwear. Possible cream tea.

Sunday September 8th

Another popular request, this time a walk around Torrington Common for butterflies, flowers and trees. Meet at CP* at 10.00am or in the Torrington Common lower car park at 10.30am. Steep in places. Sturdy footwear and a packed lunch. This may be the last cream tea of the year.

Sunday October 13th

A Fungus foray led by our own John Willatts. Meet at the Devon Birds Reserve at Godborough (Map Ref SS 475 273) at 11.00 am. Steep in places, so sturdy footwear. Bring a packed lunch.

Saturday November 9th

Annual General Meal, at the Royal North Devon Golf Club, Westward Ho!.6.30 pm for 7.00 pm. After the meal there will be entertainment before the serious part of the evening when you decide what outings you would like for your branch in the forthcoming year.

Sunday December 15th

Birdwatching Bonanza. Meet at the CP* at 9.00 am to go to Topsham. If going direct be there at Dart’s Farm at 10.15 am (Post code EX3 0QH) visiting Dart’s Farm, Goosemoor, the RSPB Reserve at Bowling Green Marsh, the River Clyst, the Goat Walk and possibly Exminster Marshes and Powderham. Packed lunch, hot drinks, warm clothes. Level walking,

Sunday January 12th 2025

A trip to the RSPB Reserve at Ham Wall on the Somerset Levels hopefully to see bittern, kingfisher and a starling murmuration. Meet at the CP* at 9.00am or if going direct then at 10.45 am in the Ham Wall car park (Post Code BA6 9SX) where there are toilets and a small shop/cafe. Bring warm clothing, hot drink and a packed lunch. Very level walking.

CP* This is the former Park and Ride car park in Barnstaple alongside Park School..This enables us to amalgamate into fewer vehicles and save money and help protect the environment At the time of going to print it was free.

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Northam Burrows events in March.

Conservation projects on Northam Burrows and in neighbouring nature reserves are  in full swing. Over the next few months Torridge rangers will be looking to carry out a whole range of tasks aimed at looking after these green spaces, improving wildlife and nature habitats, and making these more accessible for both residents and visitors. At the same time, the rangers will also be busy organising and running a series of fun and educational activities to encourage families to get outdoors during the school holidays.

Vital to the success of these schemes are the many volunteers that give up their time to help out with the projects, and the council’s recruitment campaign is now underway. Previous participants have commented on how taking part has been a great way to get fit, whilst also learning new skills and a unique way to experience some of the wonderful nature reserves dotted across the district. In a similar vein, the experience days are designed to teach locals and holiday makers about the wildlife to be discovered on the area’s beaches in the mud and rockpools.

The events are designed for all abilities and allow people to participate at their own pace while feeling good about making a positive contribution to the environment.

The current events schedule can be found on the council’s Northam Burrows web pages www.torridge.gov.uk/northamburrowsevents but includes the following opportunities:

Wednesday 20th March – 10am – 3pm – Dune fencing Northam Burrows Country Park.

Sunday 24th March – 10am – 12pm – Beach clean Westward Ho! – meet on slipway.

All events are free to attend with no experience necessary and tools provided for the various tasks. However, pre-booking is essential, partly so that people can be contacted if there are any changes as a result of weather and ground conditions. Participants are also advised to bring suitable clothing, footwear and a packed lunch and refreshments.

The beach cleans above are great for all the family, but additional events during the half term include:

Tuesday 13th February – 2pm – 4pm – Mud dipping Northam Burrows Country Park, meet Greysand car park.

Thursday 15th February – 2pm – 4pm – Rockpool Ramble Northam Burrows Country Park, meet near Westward Ho! Slipway.

The rangers particularly need help with the tasks at Kenwith Valley nature reserve in Bideford. The lake and surrounding area are one of Torridge’s hidden gems, so taking part in the planned events will be an opportunity to learn more about this less well known location and its abundant wildlife.

People are welcome to attend for part of the sessions if they cannot attend for the full day. You can email [email protected] or telephone 01237 479708 to book a place or find out more.

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Shipping notes No. 225 (December).

Bideford Quay.

No shipping this month. Oldenburg returned on 17th from drydocking at Sharpness.

Appledore.

Quorn and Atherstone still at Shipyard.

Yelland Quay.

No shipping this month.

Bristol Channel Observations.

1/12 at 15.43 vehicle carrier RCC Passion, 11,196 tons d.w., owners Passion Ray Ltd Isle of Man, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 11.45.

3/12 at 12.20 ro-ro vessel Celandine, 9,415 tons d.w., owners Coblefret Belgium, outward bound from Portbury having at 07.26.

4/12 at 05.52 heavy lift cargo vessel BBC Belem, 8,128 tons d.w., owners Bentmersiel Briese Germany, inward bound for Newport. (Seen again at 07.32 8th outward bound from Newport having sailed at 01.00). At 14.17 tanker Askholman, 16,821 tons d.w., owners Oom Tuna Askholmen LLC Denmark, inward bound for Avonmouth. (Seen again at 05.48 7th outward bound from Avonmouth having sailed at 00.10).

5/12 at 06.15 cargo vessel Arklow Beach, 8,661 tons d.w., owners Glenthorn Shipping Ltd Netherlands, outward bound from Avonmouth having sailed at 00.55. At 15.02 bulk carrier Aasvik, 7,561 tons d.w., owners Aasnes Bulk AS Norway, outward bound from Port Talbot having sailed at 11.16.

6.12 at 11.01 heavy lift cargo vessel Rolldock Sea, 6,879 tons d.w., owners Rolldock BB 2 BV Netherlands, inward bound for Portbury.

7/12 at 06.01 chemical tanker Stolt Kingfisher, 5,890 tons d.w., owners Sea 139 Leasing Co Ltd Netherlands, outward bound from Barry having sailed at 02.07. At 06.36 vehicle carrier Auto Energy, owners Unipersessoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury. (Seen again at 07.24 9th outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 02.35). At 07.46 cargo vessel RDJ Maasstroom, 3,158 tons d.w., owners RDJ Maasstroom Shipping BV Netherlands, inward bound for Newport. At 16.00 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,670 tons d.w.,owners Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury. (Seen again at 06.47 9th outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 00.29).

8/12 at 11.18 vehicle carrier Viking Emerald, 12,491 tons d.w., owners Gram Car Carriers Shipowners Norway, inward bound for Portbury.

9/12 at 09.26 vehicle carrier Azul Ace, 17,961 tons d.w., owners Primavera Montana Co Ltd Japan, inward bound for Portbury.

10/12 at 14.52 cargo vessel Barbara B, 5,535 tons d.w., inward bound for Newport.

11/12 at 09.57 tanker Bro Nissum, 16,654 tons d.w., owners Maersk Product Tankers Denmark, inward bound for Avonmouth. (Seen again at 01.35 13th outward bound from Avonmouth having sailed at 06.31). At 14.12 chemical tanker Stolt Jaeger, 5,846 tons d.w., owners Stolt Auk B.V Netherlands, inward bound for Avonmouth.

12/12 at 12.10 vehicle carrier Grande Italia, 12,594 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, inward bound for Portbury.

14/12 at 06.23 vehicle carrier RCC Passion, 11,196 tons d.w., owners Passion Ray Ltd Isle of Man, inward bound for Portbury. At 13.25 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,670 tons d.w., owners Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury. At 13.25 vehicle carrier Hamburg Highway, inward bound for Portbury. At 16.59 cargo vessel Elise, 3,075 tons d.w., owners Elise C.V Netherlands, inward bound for Newport.

16/12 at 13.35 bulk carrier Hagland Pioneer, 4,902 tons d.w., owners Hagland Bulk Transport K.S Norway, inward bound for Cardiff. At 13.50 chemical tanker Stolt Auk, 5,064 tons d.w., owners Stolt Auk BV Netherlands, inward bound for Barry. At 14.05 vehicle carrier NOCC Oceanic, 20,883 tons d.w., owners NOCC Shipping AS Norway, inward bound for Portbury.

17/12 at 11.50 tanker Askholmen, 16,821 tons d.w., owners Oom Tuna Askholmen Denmark, inward bound for Avonmouth.

19/12 at 17.05 ro-ro vessel Eurocargo Istanbul, 14,413 tons d.w., owners Malta Motor of the Seas Ltd Malta, inward bound for Portbury.

20/12 at 13.20 vehicle carrier Colombia Highway, 18,930 tons d.w., owners Olive Investments Corp Japan, inward bound for Portbury. (Seen again at 10.27 22nd outward bound for Portbury having sailed at 05.06). At 16.38 vehicle carrier Auto Aspire, 12,452 tons d.w., owners Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury.

22/12 at 09.02 bulk carrier Stamford Pioneer, 32,211 tons d.w., owners Dan Skip 83 Denmark, inward bound for Avonmouth.

23/12 at 08.20 cargo vessel Benabell G, 3,798 tons d.w., owners Benabell G Agrimare GMBH Germany, outward bound from Newport having sailed at 01.43. At 08.25 cargo vessel Wilson Garston, 3,568 tons d.w., owners Wilson Shipowning, outward bound from Newport having sailed at 00.56.

26/12 at 11.20 vehicle carrier Morning Cornet, 21,051 tons d.w., owners Trelav Maritime Inc South Korea, inward bound for Portbury.

28/12 at 11.19 vehicle carrier RCC Passion, 11,196 tons d.w., owners Passion Ray Ltd Isle of Man, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 06.04.

30/12 at 08.12 cargo vessel Reiderdijk, 6,050 tons d.w., owners MV Reiderdijk LLP Netherlands, inward bound for Swansea. At 10.02 hrs ro-ro vessel Celandine, 9,415 tons d.w., owners Cobeflet Belgium, inward bound for Portbury. At 12.37 vehicle carrier Auto Aspire 12452 tons d.w., owners Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and healthy 2024.

Regards

Norman.

Instead of usual Bideford photographs, this is Irish Naval vessel LE William Butler Yeats leaving building dock at Appledore in March 2016.

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‘Upstream Thinking’ project has many benefits.

More than 40,000 native trees are being planted for farms and landowners to help reduce land run-off and improve natural water quality as part of South West Water’s catchment management programme, Upstream Thinking.

The trees, which were provided by the Woodland Trust, will be delivered and planted by Upstream Thinking partners Devon Wildlife Trust, and will see a range of native tree species like blackthorn, hazel and oak delivered to farms across Devon.

The native trees will encourage water to soak into the ground and thus help to stabilise the soil, reducing the rate of run-off from land into watercourses and thereby improving water quality. The trees will also help to capture carbon and increase biodiversity on the land.

The latest intake of trees will be delivered to around 60 farms across eight river catchments, taking the number of trees planted across the region by the Upstream Thinking programme to 260,000.

Tim Dart, Upstream Thinking Project Manager at Devon Wildlife Trust, said: “We are really pleased to be delivery partners on South West Water’s Upstream Thinking programme and for their support in delivering this important project to improve water quality and resilient water resources, along with the environmental benefits this brings for wildlife and people”.

Upstream Thinking is an award-winning catchment management programme delivered in partnership with Westcountry Rivers Trust, the Wildlife Trusts in Devon and Cornwall, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and South West Lakes Trust. The programme involves working with landowners to look at how land is managed to drive improvements in raw water quality in rivers across the region.

Eleanor Lewis, South West Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust said: “The benefits of trees are numerous and we are pleased to be able to support the Upstream Thinking project. Partnership working is key and this highlights how organisations can come together to work with landowners and farmers to find solutions to some of the problems we face”.

South West Water is committed to boosting nature recovery through planting 300,000 trees by 2025, and expanding Upstream Thinking to provide benefits to 146,500 hectares of land by 2030.

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A Devonshire poem about the Piskies.

Here is an amusing poem in the local dialect by J C Harding, who spent his final years in the ‘White House’, which I believe was the name of the Bideford workhouse.

Mr Harding filled an exercise book in his own copperplate handwriting with a collection of poems that he had composed on a number of topics. They are of considerable interest for their subject matter; one is about the sinking of the Titanic, their political attitude (strongly imperialist), and above all their local concerns, such as Appledore lifeboat men, historical events, and the beauty of the district. A few, like this, are in dialect. I hope that readers today can still understand it!

Fortunately the manuscript has survived, as Mr Harding passed it to my grandfather Mr Jack Elliott of the Swan Inn in Mill Street for safekeeping. (My grandfather retired in the early 1950’s). I have owned it for many years, and now that “Buzz” has made it possible to bring it to the notice of the public I am sharing it, and will then send it to the Bideford and District Community Archive.

John Davies.

 

How Zammy Dawe zeed the piskies.

Wat es et young maister, wat es et yu zay,

Du I think thare iz piskies? I du then ees fay;

En wat’s more then thet , I kin tull ee ver shure,

I zeed min wan nite, out pin tap Burden moare.

Aw ees yu kin laff, en zay tes all stuff,

Bit zeeins beleevin, ees, thet’s gude anuff.

Wat,tull ee the story? Wull kum rest yer bones

Bezide aw ma basket, thare, tap aw the stones.

 

Yes yurs ago now, close pin mikkymes dey

I wiz working tu Stickypule vaarm, Welkin wey.

New wan day the maister zed, ‘Zam I declare,

Ef temarra want be the West Kintry vaare.

I mist geet awver airly , the marnin,’ sez ee;

En yu kim awn arter wi dree bastes,dee zee,

Ess,mist try geet min een tu West Kuntry zaale

Ver I think thare’ll be chance ver a purty gude dale.’

 

Next marnin dree Bullucks I draw tu the vaare,

En vury gude bizness the maister din thare.

Zo he zed tu ma, ‘Zam, yew kin vinish the day

But mind be hoam airly, tu late dont ee stay,

Ver I mist geet awver tu Harton chuch town,

Zo taake thicky shillun, tu du yerzel down.’

 

Wul yu knaw, times like thet wan draps pin owld vriends

Tedden mutch thet ee drinks, er eet wat ee spends,

The time slippeed by vor I knawed ware twiz tu,

En twiz tain vor I thawt thet et hoam I wiz du.

 

Wul I staarted awf hoam, jist a little bit vrisky,

Not nawthin like boozed, tho I’d had leetle wisky.

Twiz a ruff,lownsum rawd, en I’d seven mile tu go,

Bit a bewtivil nite, wi the mune all aglow.

 

I got awn purty wul teal I got pin the moare.

New it zimeed I cudden geet no vaarder voare.

The harder I tried,the moar I wid vind,

Er at laist es I thawt, I got vurder behind.

Thinks IZammy Dawe yu mist be piskie laid,

Ver I’d yurd zim quare caapers they little vooks plaid.

I wiz thare pin the moare, een a purty owld plite.

Aw Zammy owld man yu wuz maazed zure thet nite.

I keept waalkin awn, altho I wiz zure

I wiz offaw ma rawd een the middle the moare.

New awl ov a zidden a lite sheened out claare.

Thinks I tu mezel, thare’s a howze awver thaare

 

Zo I made ver thick lite es well es I may.

But tha vaarder I vaint, et vaint vaarder away.

Then tha thawt et kim entu me fulush owld hed

Thet’s a Jack een the lantern, I’m mitey avraid.

Thare wiz I Zammy Dawe es tired es a dug,

Avraid evvry minit I’d stick een a bug.

Me poare legs wiz akeen, me hed een a buzz

Zo I draaed mezel down be a gurt clat a vuzz.

I cudden a bin thare a minnet I’m zure

Wen the zownds aw sweet mewsick kim awver the moare.

 

The zownds kim cloase up ta ma thare ware I lies.

Aw massy, the zight wen I awpened me eyes,

Thare wiz hunnerds a leetle vooks dansin around,

Es thick es vuzz blawzim they cuvvered the grownd.

Zum dressed een gowld traade, en urd cloathes hed zum,

But nat wan aw min thare wiz es high es yer thumb.

Thare wiz zum riding rown pin the back ov a toad,

En zum ver a grasshopper wadden a load.

Thare wiz zum playeen mewsick, en zum aw min dansed

Arown een a ring they all galloped en pransed.

Zum klimeed the grass stalks es if twiz a tree.

Zich quare owld minewvers I never did zee.

But I tull ee, I wished mezel vaarder away,

Ver I thawt zim ould kickshaw awn me they mite play.

 

New the comicalest crayter yu ever shid zee

Kim away vrim the rest and made vore toward me.

He carred een hees hand a gurt stinging nettle.

Aw I wished mezel back een Westcuntryeen settle.

 

Then vaure he cud raitch ma, the nez thing I knaw

Wiz zumboddy baalin, ‘Yurs owld Zammy Dawe,

Out yur een the cairt howze,rowled up een the straw.

But whare heeth a bin tu I’m zure I dun naw,

Ver he’s cuvvered in mire, en I’m purty wul sure

He’th bin rowlin abowt all the nite awn the moare.’

 

En twiz true, thare wiz I, curled up nice en snug,

Ees rowled een the straw like a vlaay een a rug.

Howevver they little vooks carreed ma thare

I dun naw tu these day, bit I’m raddy tu sware

Een the nite I lied down out pin middle the moare,

En they mist a carreed ma hoam tu vore door.

 

Wats thet yu zay maister, ‘twiz tu menny whiskies’?

Aw no zur, I’m zure twiz they dratted owld piskies.

Bit ef yew nevver zeed wan a course yu dun naw.

Bit zeeins beeleevin at laist tu Zam Dawe.

 

James C. Harding.

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‘Optimus Grime’ & Co.

Earlier this summer, Torridge District Council launched a competition to name four brand-new vehicles entering service with their Waste and Recycling fleet. The fun competition formed part of the Council’s ongoing recycling awareness campaign and was open to all Torridge residents.

Hundreds of entries were received with many unique and comic name suggestions. After a rigorous selection process, the winning names were chosen by the Council’s Waste and Recycling supervisors and crews. The names were then turned into stylised graphic designs and printed onto templates which have been applied to the vehicles for everyone to see.

The four selected winners beat off strong competition and the winning vehicle names and submitters were announced by the council as:

Optimus Grime – Nikki Jarvis.

Bindiana Jones – Joel Baker.

Bagatha Christie – Lee Kerr.

The Grim Sweeper – Sadie Barnes.

The supervisors and crews had a great time looking through the name suggestions and ultimately decided on names that were not only applicable but also had a strong connection to the local area. Crews are still yet to witness Optimus Grime actually transform! Local connections were emphasised with the inclusion of “Bagatha Christie” inspired by Agatha Christie, the world-renowned author known for her mystery novels, who was born in Torquay, Devon. Her famous book, “And Then There Were None,” was also set in Devon.

The vehicles are all now in service and will be making their way around towns and villages, so residents are being encouraged to watch out for the branded vehicles in their own streets in the coming months.

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Upper Tamar Lake sailing club.

If you haven’t sailed for a while and would like to get back on the water, the Club would love to hear from you – you and your family will be made very welcome. We sail on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons.

Our members with double handed craft are often in need of a willing crew, and crewing is an ideal way to learn or refresh your knowledge of sailing. The Club owns a few single-handed boats (Toppers) and double-handers (Bosuns) which can be used by members for a small fee, so there is no need to own your own boat to get back on the water.

Alternatively, if you love sailing and the social benefits, but are no longer able to get out on the water, we are looking for volunteers to help with our race days or being involved with events. We are a very friendly club and everyone is made to feel very welcome.

If you would like to know more about us, please email Roger Heasman (Commodore) [email protected] Further information can also be found on our website www.utlsc.org.uk and on our Upper Tamar Lake Sailing Club facebook page.

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Benjamin Donn, 1729 – 98.

The man who put Bideford on the map.

During the eighteenth century, business in all the ports on the Atlantic coast of England was booming. This was due to increasing trade, both imports and exports, with the American colonies. There was thus a corresponding need for seamen versed in the maritime arts and related subjects, a need which was not met by a grammar school education. So George Donn, a native of Bideford and Benjamin’s father, set up a Mathematical School in Bridge Street, in which were taught all the skills needed for navigation, commerce, industry, surveying and, indeed, astronomy. George and his elder son Abraham taught there to begin with, but when Abraham died in 1746 his younger brother Benjamin took over from him. As well as teaching, he wrote many articles for magazines, mainly on mathematical and astronomical subjects (including one on eclipses that could be seen from Bideford).

It was at about this time that he embarked upon his most ambitious project. The Society of Arts announced that it would award a prize of £100 to anyone who could produce an accurate one inch to one mile map of an English county. Donn wrote to the Secretary, informing him of his intention to undertake ‘ the Surveying and Making (of) a New and Accurate Map of the County of Devon’. He managed to complete this task, but it cost him more than £1,900 to do so. He won the prize but still ended up considerably out of pocket, in spite of having 526 subscribers to the map.

The map itself contains many features which would later be incorporated in Ordnance Survey maps, but was unusual in that one of its main features was the inclusion of all the manor houses in Devon, of which there were 650, together with the names of the people who lived in them at the time.

In 1759, he married a Bidefordian, Mary Anne, daughter of Henry Wilcocks.

In 1764, Donn moved to Bristol, where he became Librarian to the City Library. The duties were light, so he was able to continue his cartographic activities, making a detailed map of Bristol and its environs, amongst other projects. He tried to set up another mathematical academy there, but was unsuccessful, so he set up his own academy at The Park, near St. Michael’s Church. When that failed, he went to live in Kingston, near Taunton.

In 1796, until he died, he was master of mechanics to King George III. He was held in high regard by his contemporaries, which included such figures as Erasmus Darwin, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Josiah Wedgwood.

As well as being a cartographer and mathematician he made mathematical instruments, which he used in the many peripatetic lectures he gave.

He died impecuniously in 1798, leaving a widow, and a son, also Benjamin Donn, who became a priest in the Church of England, and minor cartographer.

CT.

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Check the bathing water quality between May & September.

Regular testing of water quality by the Environment Agency is now underway at 150 designated bathing sites across Devon and Cornwall.

High standards of water quality at swimming locations are important for people’s enjoyment of beaches and other beauty spots in England. Throughout the season, which runs from 15 May until the end of September, the Environment Agency will regularly monitor water quality at bathing waters across the country to give bathers the up-to-date information they need.

The monitoring also means the Environment Agency can assess whether extra action is needed to address water quality at these sites. Dips in water quality can occur due to factors like rainfall, wind and high tides.

Information on all 424 designated bathing water sites nationally and any forecasted drops in water quality will be published on the Swimfo: Find a Bathing Water website. This provides immediate access to information on every bathing water in England, including coastal locations, inland lakes and the newly designated areas (Firestone Bay in Plymouth, for example).

The Environment Agency works with local authorities to ensure signs at these swimming locations to inform bathers about any possible dips in water quality.

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Explorer app for visitors to Northern Devon.

North Devon UNESCO Biosphere launches sustainable tourism App for visitors to Northern Devon!

North Devon UNESCO Biosphere have launched a new web app aimed at visitors and residents, to highlight the fantastic experiences available in the area, while helping to reduce pressure on the popular hotspots.

The North Devon Explorer web app will provide real time information on traffic congestion and weather and aims to help people find the hidden gems in and around our biosphere, spreading the visitor load and economy.

The North Devon Explorer app will allow visitors to:

  • Discover the range of activities our biosphere has to offer, including natural and cultural highlights; walking and cycle trails; gardens, nature reserves and wildlife; museums and stately homes.

  • Find their nearest visitor information centre

  • View current weather information at their chosen destination

  • Check tide times at coastal points

  • Locate EV charging points across the area

  • Identify traffic congestion

  • View a range of hospitality related businesses certified by the North Devon Biosphere Business Partner Eco-Accreditation Scheme.

  • The App also provides visitors with a guide through the towns across the area through reciprocal links to the dscvr app, launched by Torridge and North Devon Councils last year.

    Andy Bell, Biosphere Service Coordinator, North Devon UNESCO Biosphere says:

    We have designed this app to help give visitors to northern Devon access to a range of experiences that will add to the quality of their stay in our area. With up-to-date weather and traffic information, they can avoid busy hot spots and get more enjoyment by connecting with our wonderful environment and culture

    The project was developed and part funded under the Interreg Channel programme through the BioCultural Heritage Tourism Project co-ordinated by North Devon UNESCO Biosphere. This project’s aims were to demonstrate how tourism growth can be compatible with regions of very high environmental quality.

After months of work behind the scenes getting this app created, tested and refined, I’m delighted that we are now able to launch North Devon Explorer, just in time for the summer holidays! I urge all accommodation providers to mention the app to their guests in their pre arrival information or welcome packs, as an extra layer of service and to help us spread the visitor load this summer” – Sarah Jordan, North Devon Explorer Project Lead.

The project was also part funded by The Tarka Country Trust, in line with their objectives for the conservation of sites and education for all.

The App can be found herewww.northdevonexplorer.com

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The Huntshaw Church bells project.

Huntshaw’s Historic Bells drop into the limelight – After 500 years!

For over a year the ‘Friends of Huntshaw Bells’ have been raising money through grants, sponsorship and events and have raised so far £17k. There is a long way to go yet to get the full £30k needed, but last month saw a big step on the way.

Because Taylors of Loughborough (the Bell Founders) had a slot in their work schedule come free due to a cancellation they were able to come down and over a 3 day period remove the bells as a first step.

The tower in its present form was added to church in 1439 with 3 bells sitting on a framework of oak trusses; but over the centuries with decay in some of the trusses the bells have been sinking under their own weight making them unringable for the past 20 years, plus also needing attention with new fittings and bearings etc – plus one of them needs specialist welding as it is cracked.

The earliest bell, the tenor, dates from 1505 and was cast by Thomas Gefferies in Bristol, and this will be the first time it has seen daylight in 500 years! The other two are more local, one being cast in in Exeter in 1665 and the other in 1634 by “WK” in Barnstaple – this one is believed to be only 1 of 8 known to exist in the country. We still have some grant applications lodged which we hope will come to fruition soon, but our next event is: –

The Art and Science of Bells and Bell Ringing.” – On Sat 14th May 2.30pm – with Ian Campbell.

Entry free but donations welcome.

Ian will bring an 8 ft high bell stand and large bell into the church to demonstrate ringing in the “up” position and when down. He will also bring a set of handbells and volunteers to demonstrate change ringing, and on his laptop connected to speakers he will demonstrate the “Magic of Bells.” – Ian says his talk will be more like ‘entertainment’ than a talk and afterwards everybody will have a chance to try to ring the bell. Whilst this is happening there will be Cream Teas (with pink bubbly), Devon Guild of Ringers displays and models to view, and activities for the children with some small prizes for them, a bell-shaped cake raffle and a “guess the weight” of a handbell (the handbell being the noisy prize!).

In renovating we also found a pristine 600-year-old hand-made nail in the bell chamber, so at about 4pm we’re going to hold an auction for it – just for Fun! (It will be framed and with certificate of provenance).

Further ahead: – on the afternoon of Sunday 17th July we are holding a “Walking Treasure Hunt” of about 3 to 5 miles ending at the church with a “Beer and Burger BBQ!”

For further info, or to become a sponsor, contact [email protected]

The 1505 Tenor bell comes down – first time in 517 years!

In transit.

In transit.

Ready for the off.

New steel UB goes up as replacement support.

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The ‘Way of the Wharves’ project.

‘Way of the Wharves’.

The Torridge Estuary and Bideford have a long and fascinating maritime history with boat building documented back to Elizabethan times. On the east bank of the Torridge, opposite Bideford town, East-the-Water was an industrial and transport hub connecting the medieval bridge, port and railway. From the mid 1800s the deep-water channel started migrating west across the river, leading to the slow decline of the port on the east bank. In addition to the important transport links East-the-Water was a centre for ship and boat building, clay export and potteries, coal mining, lime burning, timber, agricultural suppliers, energy distribution and even a first world war munitions factory.

New Book from Way of the Wharves.

If covid helped the Way of the Wharves Project at all it was in giving time to pull together the research of the last years and write a book: A History of East-the-Water, Bideford. Published in December 2021, with line drawings by Lou Boulter, it includes chapters on timber, shipbuilding, mining, transport and pottery as well as the origins and traditions of Shamwickshire. You can order a copy on the Way of the Wharves website: http://thewharves.org/product/a-history-of-east-the-water-bideford

Also available at Walter Henry’s and The Burton.

One of the stories uncovered is that of local hero George Parkin. He started building boats on the site of the East the Water School, in Torrington Street, in about 1847. He operated from here until 1858, when he moved to Appledore. His boats were carvel built, with hull planks, fastened to a robust frame, laid edge to edge to form a smooth surface. By 1852, his pilot boat True Blue had won many accolades competing in local regattas, both under canvas and oars and this helped his business develop.

But Parkin also has a much more precious claim to fame. In July 1852, when he saw a seven-year-old local boy in danger of being swept away by the tide, he leapt from the rear wall of his house and rescued him. Everywhere he went there seemed to be people in need of rescuing. In 1871, after his twenty-ninth rescue, he was recognised by the Royal Humane Society. So, if you’ve local links and your family tree includes the surnames Reed, Rudd, Isaac, Cawell, Stanbury, Johns, Jenkins, Berry, Dannell, Fisher, Dunn, Colwill, or Lewis, then Parkin may just possibly have played his part in keeping that branch of your family alive.

‘Way of the Wharves’ CIO.

The Way of the Wharves charity (WOTW) was established in 2020 to advance information and education about the industrial and maritime heritage of the Wharves at East the Water and the Torridge Estuary. The project commenced four years earlier, when a group of volunteers started to research and promote the history of the wharves on Barnstaple Street.

This had not previously been researched in any detail and the imminent planning application for re-development of the site gave this great local interest. Torridge District Council have now granted planning approval for Red Earth to start work on a £20million development of commercial and residential units. The sea wall will be raised against flood risk and land that has always been an industrial site will in future have public access. A pathway through the bridge gardens will lead onto a riverside walkway along the wharf’s seawall and an open square, conserving the view between Bideford and the Grade 1 listed Royal Hotel.

Demolition, clearance and archaeological surveys started on the Barnstaple Street wharves site in November 2021. Archaeological work is being carried out by AC Archaeology, Exeter. They have uncovered walls and the edge of a dock on Brunswick Wharf. Work on another trench on Clarence Wharf car park will be undertaken later. At the time of writing, we have not heard that any important artefacts have been discovered. The next work on site will be the repairs to the seawall starting early in the new year. The main contractors are expected to start work in summer 2022 with completion anticipated in spring 2025.

Another time of rapid change for East-the-Water.

Above – blue lines mark planned trenches on wharves site (on 1886 base map).

Adopting the phone box in Torrington Street.

Working together with East the Water in Bloom, Way of the Wharves have adopted the phone box on Torrington Street, next to the Bethel Chapel. This iconic K6 phone box will be conserved and used by the two local groups as a community resource – promoting history and horticulture. Way of the Wharves will install information about local heritage whilst the box will look a bit different as a result of the planned floral exhibits from East the Water in Bloom. Local ‘history and horticulture’ links include the many lime kilns along the estuary, Fulfords agricultural and seed merchants (for many years headquartered on Queens Wharf) and Old Pottery Works, Torrington Lane which produced flower pots.

This phone box is in such a key position, just close to the Bideford station entrance, that there must be many stories connected with it. Happy news, sad news, calling for assistance, long distance romances. WOTW are working with Bideford library to collect phone box stories. These social and family history anecdotes will be turned into a digital archive, in the form of answer machine messages. Please let us know your phone box story.

More about ‘Way of the Wharves’.

If you’d like more information, check out the website www.thewharves.org. You can follow and like our Facebook page @Brunswick Wharf. Get more information and sign up for our email newsletter updates by mailing [email protected]

Michael Teare, Chair, Way of the Wharves, 14/12/2021.

New from Way of the Wharves.

A History of East-the-Water, Bideford “. £10.00

By Michael Teare, Bob Kirby, Anthony Burt with line drawings by Lou Boulter.

Much that has been written about Bideford’s past has touched upon the story of East- the-Water, despite the long history of the wharves and their commercial importance to the local area, this is the first book to focus on their history.

After introducing East-the-Water and the wharves, the book concentrates on the important strands that make up the history of the local community: timber, emigration, shipbuilding, tobacco and pottery, coal mining and gravel extraction, fisheries, agriculture, energy and enterprise as well as the changes brought about by steamships and railways.

Profit from the sale of this book supports the work of the Way of the Wharves Charity – researching and promoting the maritime history of the Torridge Estuary and the wharves at East-the-Water.

Product Details.

A History of East the Water, Bideford”.

By Michael Teare, Bob Kirby, Anthony Burt with line drawings by Lou Boulter. Published: Peterhouse Press. December 2021.

ISBN: 978-0-946312-20-7.  Paperback: 154 pages.  Size: 240 x 170mm, spine 9mm.

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The “Freshspring” project.

Steamship ‘Freshspring’ celebrates four years in Bideford.

During the Second World War, a fleet of freshwater-carrying steam ships was commissioned by the Royal Navy to deliver water to warships. These became the ‘Fresh’ class of ships and the last one to be built by Lytham Shipbuilders, in 1946, was named ‘Freshspring’. She served most of her time in Malta before being retired to the Clyde in the late 1970s, where she was decommissioned and mothballed.

While all of her sister ships were scrapped, ‘Freshspring’ was sold into civilian life and was towed to a new life in Bristol’s Floating Harbour. However, all did not go well and in the late 1980s she eventually ended up moored on the banks of the River Severn at Newnham where her machinery was kept in good order by her then owner, though externally she was deteriorating.

In 2012, a charitable trust was set up with the aim of saving ‘Freshspring’, and she was acquired by the Trust in 2013. Major funds for hull repairs were gained in 2016 and on 16th Oct 2016, SS ‘Freshspring’, towed by the tug ‘Severn Sea’, made her way down the Bristol Channel and up the Torridge to a new home in Bideford. It was an amazing journey, managed by a team classed as lunatics by experts for even attempting this remarkable project.

During her early days in Bideford, SS ‘Freshspring’ could not be opened to the public, as she needed further work. Volunteers stepped forward and achieved miracles with the ship, but some things needed funds. The wheelhouse and boat deck were rotten but the team persisted.

Four years later with Heritage Lottery Funding, local financial support and in the safe hands of the people of Bideford, SS ‘Freshspring’ is a very different ship.

Welcoming over 3,500 visitors during 2018/2019, The Trust’s 54 registered volunteers have been working hard to make sure that the visitor experience is truly memorable.

From 2017- 2019, the Steamship Freshspring Trust contributed over £18,000 to the local economy.

With its own brand of beer, sponsored and brewed in a local brewery, and a range of branded clothing, also supplied locally, the Trust is proud to cultivate maritime pride back into Bideford and be part of the community.

SS Freshspring is more than a steamship. She’s a place for volunteers to meet, learn new skills and have a sense of purpose. She’s a classroom for local schools where education involves hands-on activities and learning, she’s a venue for art classes, she helps young people to understand careers in maritime and has potential for so much more.


In recent months, Covid-19 has forced the Trust to review its ways of working. Confined spaces have made it impossible to safely open the ship to the public. However, a virtual reality tour, currently being created in partnership with BMT Global, will provide a valuable education resource and let the public tour the ship without leaving the comfort of the fore deck. This is a really exciting piece of work using cutting edge technologies. With the newly crowdfunded awning in place, tours won’t even be hampered by inclement weather!

The next challenge is to secure funding for two essential studies. Tenders are in for Feasibility and Viability studies and are ready to go. Once funds for this work are obtained, the Trust will learn exactly what needs to be done for SS ‘Freshspring’ to operate and become economically sustainable. These studies are pivotal pieces of work.

There are so many ways that you could help Freshspring, either from home or by helping on board. You are promised a warm welcome and a range of activities to choose from. Visit https://www.ssfreshspring.co.uk/get-involved/volunteering to find out more.

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Abbotsham – an historical note.

If you have been watching the last series of ‘Poldark’ you will know that the final episodes dealt with the threat of invasion in the West Country by the French. This threat was temporarily resolved by the Peace of Amiens in March 1802, but by May of 1803 the war was back on and the threat of invasion with it.

This threat was perceived very seriously in the area around Bideford, as can be seen from two documents in the North Devon Record office that relate to the parish of Abbotsham. These are what in today’s parlance might be called a ‘contingency plan’.

The first document, dated 4th December 1803, is The minutes of the resolutions entered into at a meeting of the inhabitants of Abbotsham’. There were six numbered resolutions setting out where parishioners were to meet and place themselves under the direction of named persons, where they should take their stock, that various carts were appointed for the removal of sick and infirm people and that the overseers of the poor would supply 6 bushels of meal at parish expense to Mrs Stone to make 4 loaves of bread for each of the poor. The Overseers of the Poor were also to supply materials to enable the livestock to be marked and they even specified how and where such markings we to be placed.

The document then sets out who would conduct and drive the stock along one of two specified routes – one to Dartmoor and the other to Somerton, distances of about 40 miles and 80 miles. They weren’t taking any chances!

The second document details the owners of the stock that was to be moved plus the names of the old and decrepit persons and whose cart they should travel on. There followed details of the routes to be used, with some alterations written in pencil, showing slight differences to those of the first document, which must be the later version.

This shows some forward thinking by the leaders of the parish, although one can’t help wondering how much notice of invasion they would need to put this plan into action.

David Snow.

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Heroine of India honoured with statue in Torrington.

A bronze statue of Sister Nivedita (1867-1911) was unveiled by Great Torrington Town and Torridge District Councillors in Great Torrington Cemetery on Saturday 27th August . Sister Nivedita, who was born Margaret Elizabeth Noble, spent much of her life in India where she is revered as an educationalist and campaigner for India’s freedom movement. Her involvement with India came about after a meeting with Swami Vivekananda in London in 1895 after which she travelled to Calcutta. She was given the name Nivedita meaning “dedicated to god” and opened a girls school in 1898. Her intention was to educate girls who were at the time deprived of even the most basic education. She is also noted for nursing the poor during the plague epidemic in Calcutta in 1899 as well as having a close association with the Ramakrishna Mission until later when she made an active contribution in the field of Indian Nationalism.

She died in Darjeeling in 1911 and following her cremation her ashes were returned to Great Torrington where they were interred in the family grave. The statue and plinth were commissioned and paid for by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms Mamata Banerjee to commemorate the 150th anniversary of her birth on July 4th and also in commemoration of her life which she dedicated to India. Torridge District Council provided the plot on which the bronze statue has been sited as a permanent memorial. It is the first statue of Sister Nivedita to be erected outside of India and was unveiled jointly by Deputy Mayor of Torrington Doug Smith and Torridge and Great Torrington Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin who is also lead member for Community, Culture and Leisure at Torridge District Council.

TDC Lead member for Community, Culture and Leisure – Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said – “I must admit that I was largely unaware of Sister Nivedita’s family connection to the Great Torrington area or of the fascinating and selfless work she devoted herself to in India. Clearly she was a remarkable woman at a time when people (and women in particular) were not given the opportunities that they have today. This makes her achievements even more significant, and I hope that the statue will act as an inspiration to those who see it and bring about a greater recognition of her life which was dedicated to helping those who were less fortunate.”

Mayor of Great Torrington – Councillor Keeley Allin said: “The information in relation to Sister Nivedita’s incredible achievements in India and her connection to Great Torrington have been a revelation to many over these past few months. It is clear that amongst other things, this lady’s life had a major impact in empowering young women in India through the provision of education and learning. It is a privilege to host the statue of remembrance and recognition in our town’s cemetery and hope that many people, young and old, will visit and be inspired by the life and achievements of Sister Nivedita.”

Swami Sarvasthananda said: “We are delighted to be part of unveiling ceremony of Sister Nivedita, also known as Margaret Noble, who gave her all to India at the behest of her spiritual master Swami Vivekananda. She was inspired by his message of Service of God in man and contributed a lot in several fields for the uplift of the Indian masses including that of women’s education. It is a great privilege for the monks and devotees of the Ramakrishna Mission to honour her contribution by installing a bronze statue in Torrington kindly made possible by the help received from the government of West Bengal, India. Our sincere thanks to Torridge District Council for their unconditional help and support.”

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