The majority of Devonians can spot an outsider moving to the area in as little as five minutes, a new study reveals. To fit in with the locals, those moving to the area need to ditch designer gear in favour of hardy wellies and stop being in a hurry. The findings come from a unique study by Devon estate agents, Luscombe Maye, in response to latest official figures* that show the South West is the destination most people are moving to, particularly from London. While the majority of Devonians think the influx to the area is great news for prosperity and bringing a new dynamic to the area,...
With sunny weather predicted for this week many people will be encouraged to be outside, whether this is a causal stroll in the countryside or hiking across Dartmoor.
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service remind walkers and campers to be mindful of the impact and damage that a gorse fire has on the environment.
They also tie up valuable fire resources for some time.
The Fire Service are advising people to be vigilant in rural areas and follow this simple advice:
• extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly • never throw cigarette...
A host of opportunities to explore Devon the naturally healthy way are on offer during February half term, giving people the chance to take a deep breath of fresh air and make the most of Devon’s fantastic woodlands, parks and urban green spaces, moors and coasts.
Explore Devon is a new website packed with activities and places to go during the February half-term, and ways to entertain the children; offering the chance to go outdoors and get muddy, build a den, collect bark rubbings, climb a tree or play hide and seek.
Winter in Devon is a great time to wrap up warm and...
East Devon District Council’s Countryside Team has joined forces with Bicton College to provide work experience placements to Countryside Management students. This relationship will give the next generation of rangers an insight into habitat and visitor management across all the council’s nature reserves including Knapp Copse, Holyford Woods and the Axe Estuary Wetlands. The students will gain invaluable skills in conservation, running events, working with volunteers and delivering education sessions.
This time last year, two Devon students were piecing together their ideas to create a new lifestyle brand, and in May they will celebrate a year since the launch of Elsie & Arthur.
Jack Williams, 22, and Allie Lawson, 21, both originally from North Devon, set up the brand after being awarded a launcher loan from School For Startups, founded by ex-Dragons’ Den investor Doug Richards.
Elsie & Arthur uses influences from the Devonshire countryside and traditional British culture to create high quality clothing, using only natural textiles such as cotton, wool and silk...
Help us wake up the apple trees in our orchard for our next cider crop in the autumn. Bring something along with you to make a loud noise, featuring live music.
Free entry for national trust members, please visit nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton for further details.
Hedge-laying is good for wildlife, and can be fun and good exercise for humans too.
That’s the message from EDDC’s Countryside Team as they invite people to fill the limited spaces on a hedge-laying day on 1st November 2013.
Much of the work carried out by Countryside staff and volunteers is practical and hands-on at the nature reserves across the district. Sites are managed with people and wildlife as the priorities and the team are keen to keep traditional practices alive as far as possible.
Nature Conservation Officer Steve Edmonds said: “A laid hedge has several...
Devon’s beautiful countryside is the focus of a new calendar of photos taken by BBC Radio Devon listeners that will be raising money for Devon Community Foundation.
Thirteen amazing pictures span the county; from May’s image of deckchairs on the beach at Beer to wild winter storms battering the railway line at Dawlish. The images have been chosen from more than a thousand pictures submitted as part of a competition on BBC Radio Devon raising money for the “Give a Gift” Appeal for Devon Community Foundation. The appeal is celebrating the radio station’s 30th birthday and gives gifts...
As the summer draws to a close our rangers in East Devon are starting to plan the practical habitat management tasks for nature conservation over the winter, including hedge-laying, scrub clearance and coppicing.
They are looking for people to join their team of volunteers who carry out this work. No experience is necessary as full training will be given and all tools are provided. A love for the countryside and ability to work outdoors, sometimes in the rain, is all they ask for.
From October until the end of March there is the opportunity for people to come and volunteer...
The summer holidays got off to a ‘flying’ start for local youngsters when EDDC’s Countryside Team joined other local organisations with a rural theme at the annual Natural Seaton Festival.
The event was organised by the Seaton Visitor Centre Trust to celebrate the geological and ecological wealth of the town.
The first EDDC Countryside event of the weekend was Meet the Bats led by Fiona Mathews, Senior Lecturer in Mammalian Biology at Exeter University. Eleven of our 15 native species of bat have been recorded on the Axe Estuary Wetlands in Seaton, and electronic bat...
