Category Archives: Environment

Eggstravaganza of Easter events at Northam Burrows.

Looking for something different to do over the Easter holidays? Why don’t you get outside and enjoy the beautiful Northam Burrows with our enthusiastic team of rangers. With a wide range of activities, there is something for all the family … Continue reading

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Waste & recycling collections for Easter.

With the Easter bank holiday fast approaching, Torridge District Council is reminding residents that there will be some changes to their usual waste and recycling collection days. All refuse and recycling collections normally due on Friday 29th March (Black Bag, … Continue reading

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Northam Burrows season tickets now available.

Toll charges on Northam Burrows are set to resume on 29th March 2024 and season tickets are now available to purchase online at Torridge District Council’s website, or over the phone. The tickets cost £60 and provide unlimited access for … Continue reading

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An update on BSG’s woodland project.

A couple of weeks ago we were able to do some clearing work on the woodland site next to the skate park, with help from Rose Roberts, the ranger from the Burrows. The help Rose had arranged was amazing! Many … Continue reading

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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 … Continue reading

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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 … Continue reading

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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 … Continue reading

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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 … Continue reading

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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 … Continue reading

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North Devon coast monographs.

     

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Recently seen at Westward Ho!

Ctenophores, known commonly as sea gooseberries or comb jellies. They are carnivorous predators in the Plankton. They eat zooplankton, fish eggs and fish larvae. They catch their prey with their sticky tentacles which they can retract when not feeding. Their … Continue reading

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Walking the Coast Path; Mouthmill.

This is a beach of contrasts. A stream idly trickles through football-sized boulders down to the sea, while soothing sweeps of light-brown sand provide a backdrop to jutting rock formations that point arrow-like towards the Atlantic. It’s a place for … Continue reading

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Beavering away for Bideford flood protection.

There are proposals under consideration for raising the level of the Kenwith Reservoir dam to give the necessary added protection from fluvial flooding resulting from anticipated climate change and the amount of new housing development in the catchment area. In … Continue reading

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Floods – policy versus practicality.

With flooding very much in the news last month this may be a good time to review the policy of the authorities on flood protection and the effect it is having on the vulnerable Northam Burrows. There are two major … Continue reading

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Crossing the Torridge – 11 bridges between Bideford & Torrington !

It’s surprising how they add up once you set out to count the bridges.! The oldest of course were the pack-horse bridges dating from around the 12th century of which there were three, Bideford, Rothern and Taddiport. All these show … Continue reading

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