the printed version of North Devon Direct - North Devon District ...

northdevon
The magazine from North Devon Council
Santa Claus is coming to town
Join the festivities at Barnstaple Pannier Market
Housing on the move
A new home for the Housing Options Service
Have a green Christmas
How you can save money and waste less this year
Issue 14 | Winter 2009
www.northdevon.gov.uk
This magazine costs 10p per edition to produce

Do you want to learn or improve your technique
• Small Classes running at 4 different
locations across North Devon
• Classes for all ages from
3 months - 103 years
• Private lessons
also available
Problems with your dentures or just want new ones
Want free advice Call 01271 314770
Only a ‘CLINICAL’ Dental Technician is allowed to treat
patients and make the dentures as well. He/she will listen to
your aesthetic wishes and cope with it to make a denture which
suits you best and will give you the best long term solution.
20a Newport Road, Barnstaple, EX32 9BG
Call Debbie 01598 760562
email: info@astswimschool.co.uk
www.astswimschool.co.uk
2
NORTH DEVON DIRECT WINTER 2009

northdevon
Winter 2009
contents
P4
P5
P7
P8
P9
P10
P12
P13
P14
P15
How to contact us:
Editorial queries should be directed to:
Claire Holm, North Devon Council, Civic
Centre, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1EA
Phone: 01271 388239
Email: claire.holm@northdevon.gov.uk
The magazine from North Devon Council
A to Z of council services
Customers assured of excellent service
Be counted in the general election
Thanks for the feedback
An easier way to find a new home
Winter help for rough sleepers
Protecting the history around us
Housing Advice Centre on the move
Shaping the future of North Devon
Enjoy Christmas without the waste
Your Christmas and New Year waste and
recycling collections
Love your leftovers
Celebrating 10 years of Safer North Devon
Helping us set priorities for the future
What’s on in North Devon
Growing your own - time to plan and prepare
Christmas shopping, Santa and more!
Help is at hand for disabled bus travellers
Getting around Ilfracombe
Sea Ilfracombe is a success
If you require this document
in an alternative format,
please contact us.
Advertising queries should be directed to:
Nick Cooper, Salt Media, 1st Floor, 5 Cross
Street, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1BA
Phone: 01271 859160
Email: nick@saltmedia.co.uk
North Devon Direct is printed from
environmentally managed forests.
Please recycle it or, better still, ‘re-use’
it by passing it on. Thanks!
Now available as a spoken
version - download the
podcast from our website.
The opinions and views expressed in North Devon
Direct magazine are not necessarily those of North
Devon Council or Salt Media. All data contained in
advertisements, being subject to the Advertising
Standards Authority guidelines, are accepted by us in
good faith at the time of going to press. Reproduction
of editorial is strictly prohibited without prior
permission from North Devon Council. All rights
reserved copyright © 2009.
Front cover image: There’s something for
everyone this Christmas at Barnstaple’s
historic Pannier Market
Welcome to our
Winter edition...
Happy Christmas to you all from
North Devon Council and welcome
to the winter edition of North
Devon Direct.
With the festive period approaching,
we are turning our thoughts to
trying to reduce the amount of waste
produced at this time of year. Check
out our centre page spread on how
to reduce, reuse and recycle your
Christmas waste, including a tasty
recipe for Turkey, ham and leek pie!
Even with your best efforts, we
understand that there will still be
added waste and recycling to take
away and we have put together a
timetable to ensure you get enough
collections to see you through. Make
sure you keep the timetable on
page nine handy so you know when
your rubbish and recycling will be
collected.
To make Christmas a little more
special this year, take a visit to our
Pannier Market in Barnstaple where
there are a number of festive events
being held. Have a look at page 13
for all the information.
Looking forward to the New Year, we
are involved in making plans for the
exciting Sea Ilfracombe event. The
taster day held in September went so
well that the organisers are confident
that a full-blown festival to celebrate
Ilfracombe’s relationship to the sea
will be a real success.
For other ways to get rid of your
post-Christmas blues, take a look at
our bumper What’s On calendar
on page 12.
Once again, we wish you a very
happy Christmas and a great 2010.
Claire Holm
Communications Manager
WINTER 2009 NORTH DEVON DIRECT 3

Council services
A-Z
Benefits
Surname A – CRO Tel: 01271 388390
Surname CRU – HAS Tel: 01271 388389
Surname HAT - MAZ Tel: 01271 388396
Surname MC – SHAK Tel: 01271 388384
Surname SHAL - Z Tel: 01271 388395
Email: benefits@northdevon.gov.uk
Building Control
Tel: 01271 388282
Email: buildingcontrol@northdevon.gov.uk
Car Parks
Tel: 01271 388279
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Council Tax
Tel: 01271 388361
Email: counciltax@northdevon.gov.uk
Councillors
Tel: 01271 388253/388254
Email:memberservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Environmental Health
Tel: 01271 388870
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Housing Options
Tel: 01271 388870
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Land Charges
Tel: 01271 388406
Email: landcharges@northdevon.gov.uk
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
Tel: 01271 346747
Email: museum@northdevon.gov.uk
Planning
Tel: 01271 388288
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Safer North Devon
Tel: 01271 341200
Website: www.safernorthdevon.co.uk
Waste and Recycling
Tel: 01271 374776
Email: greensweepdirect@northdevon.gov.uk
All other council enquiries...
Customer Service Centre
Tel: 01271 327711
Typetalk: precede with 18001
Out of hours emergency number: 01271 388240
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Face to face: Civic Centre, Barnstaple
Amory Centre, South Molton
Ilfracombe Centre, Ilfracombe
Check out our website!
Take a look at www.northdevon.gov.uk
Housing Advice Centre
on the move
From worries about homelessness to looking for an
affordable home - if you have any housing issues,
you can now visit the Council’s Housing Options
team at the Civic Centre in Barnstaple.
At the start of December, our team moved out of the old
Housing Advice Centre on Boutport Street, Barnstaple.
The move means that staff have access to more resources
and will be able to increase their focus on early help to
prevent homelessness.
The Housing Options Service is also available at the
Ilfracombe Centre and The Amory Centre in South Molton.
Our offices are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of the following, then
our Housing Options Service can help:
• Are you struggling to pay your mortgage or rent
• Have you been asked to leave your home
• Do you need a safe home
• Do you need your own home
• Do you need a home
Getting help is easy:
Call: 01271 388870 Fax: 01271 388255
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Web: www.northdevon.gov.uk/housingoptions
Thanks for the feedback
Between May and August, we carried out a consultation
with customers about our opening hours.
The main aim was to understand how customers feel about
our current opening times and how easy it is for them to access
our services.
Of the 360 responses, 91% of customers that had used our
service were happy with the current level of accessibility. When
asked when they would prefer to contact us, over 82% felt the
existing opening times, between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday,
were fine.
Therefore, based on the views of North Devon residents, we
have decided to keep our opening hours the same. We will
review the situation in two years time.
4
NORTH DEVON DIRECT WINTER 2009

An easier way to
find a new home
Are you looking for affordable
housing in Devon Soon there
will be an easier way.
Local councils across Devon, including North Devon
Council, have joined together to introduce a new way of
finding affordable homes in the county.
‘Devon Home Choice’ will replace our local housing
register and will see all councils in Devon working with
housing associations to provide more choice for people
looking for housing.
When the new service starts, council and housing
association homes available to let in the county will
be advertised each week on the Devon Home Choice
website, in a newsletter and on digital TV.
Applicants will be able to ‘bid’ for
up to three homes a week and the
person or family rated ‘in most need’
will be offered the home.
Applications can be made through
the website, using an automated
telephone service, using digital TV or
in person at any council office.
If you are already registered with us we will write to you
to confirm the date that Devon Home Choice will start
and give you more information about the new service.
We will also confirm what band you are in (based on an
assessment of your housing needs and local connections
to Devon) and the size of home you can bid for.
We are here to help and will provide you with as much
support as we can to find a home for you and your family.
For more information contact the Housing Options team
on 01271 388870, visit www.devonhomechoice.com
or call in and see us at Barnstaple’s Civic Centre, The
Ilfracombe Centre or The Amory Centre in South Molton.
Winter help for
rough sleepers
Sleeping rough is hard but during the winter
months, it becomes even more dangerous for
those living on the streets.
If there is a period of severe weather, North Devon Council
provides emergency accommodation for the area’s rough
sleepers. When the temperature drops below zero for three
consecutive nights, rough sleepers can seek refuge at the
Freedom Centre in Barnstaple for as long as the severe
weather lasts. They get a roof over their head and a warm
breakfast in the morning, which is welcome relief from the
icy conditions outside.
North Devon Council is one of only a handful of rural councils
that has performed an official count of rough sleepers. With
the introduction of the council’s Rough Sleeper Strategy, and
by working closely with local voluntary agencies, there are
currently only four people who have been sleeping rough
long term - a far cry from the 100 suggested by someone
on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire programme broadcast
earlier this year.
The number of rough sleepers in North Devon is low but
we have a duty to care for this vulnerable and often ignored
sector of our community.
How to get help
Rough sleepers can access emergency accommodation
at the Freedom Centre, Eastern Avenue, Barnstaple
between 8pm and 10pm (when the temperature is below
freezing for three nights or more). After 10pm they can
gain entry by a referral from the police or hospital.
For advice about homelessness and housing options:
Phone: 01271 388870
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Web: www.northdevon.gov.uk/housingoptions
Theresa Patey: We’ve been asked to clarify by Theresa Patey of Georgeham, who works for the North Devon Citizen’s Advice Bureau, that she is not the same Theresa Patey from
Braunton that was featured in our article on housing in the last issue. There has been some confusion over who is who so we are happy to clarify the situation for both ladies!
WINTER 2009 NORTH DEVON DIRECT 5

Absolute Staffing Solutions - From shop floor to boardroom
www.absolutestaffingsolutions.co.uk
info@absolutestaffingsolutions.co.uk
National Tel: 0844 561 0976 • Local Tel: 01271 346 109
14 Gaydon Street, Barnstaple, EX32 7DN
Staff – Your biggest asset, or
your BIGGEST liability
Need help with staffing issues
Absolute Staffing Solutions
can provide:
Temporary, Temporary to Permanent,
Part-time, Full-time. Warehouse,
Production Line, Fork-Lift,
Administration, Secretarial,
Supervisors, Managers,
Company Directors.
• Genuine out of hours cover
• We take up references on all our staff
• If we can’t help we’ll tell you in 10 minutes
• Over 27 years experience in staffing industry
Looking for a job Email us your CV to:
info@absolutestaffingsolutions.co.uk
Chem-Dry Devon
Carpet & Upholstry
Cleaning Specialists
Independently owned and operated
Chem-Dry is
Any 3 carpets
OR
a suite of funiture
cleaned for only
£100 + VAT
Call FREE on
0800 783 5024
www.chemdrydevon.co.uk
chemdrydevon@btinternet.com
AND QUOTE NDC MAG
6
NORTH DEVON DIRECT WINTER 2009
A6_advert_localfarmbox.indd 1 5/5/09 14:29:45

Protecting the
history around us
• The Castle is the only listed building
within Woolacombe’s conservation area
Customers
assured of
excellent service
Our customers can be assured of a
high standard of service, with news
the council’s Customer Services team
has gained national recognition.
The Customer Service Excellence Standard
replaces the former Charter Mark award.
It has been given to the team for
demonstrating the following:
• excellent customer service
• provision of services that
customers want and ask for
• training and recognition for officers
• plans to drive continuous improvement.
The recognition remains
in place for three years
before Customer Services
are reassessed.
Beautiful scenery, grand architectural
buildings and historic streets - so, just
how can we protect these parts of
North Devon in the future
There are currently 39 conservation areas in the district, which the council is
responsible for identifying and ensuring their character is not lost.
We are reviewing the conservation
areas to see whether any more need
to be added or if existing boundaries
need amending. This is an ongoing
programme that’s likely to take
several years to complete.
Conservation areas that have
already been reviewed include:
• South Molton
• Ilfracombe
• Woolacombe
Be counted in the
general election
To see whether a public consultation is going on in your area and to have
your say, please visit www.northdevon-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal
Shaping the future of
North Devon
An important document, which looks
at how our towns and surrounding
areas may develop over the next 18
years, is due out next month.
North Devon Council and Torridge
District Council are working together
to prepare a joint Core Strategy for
both districts. This will set out major
proposals for housing and
employment across northern Devon
up to 2026. It will also include
proposals for things such as schools,
medical facilities and open spaces.
The draft Core Strategy is due to
be published in mid January, when
you will be able to comment on
the proposals. To help you do this, a
series of public exhibitions are being
planned in the New Year and will be
advertised locally.
For further information, please go to www.northdevon.gov.uk/corestrategy
As you are probably aware, there will
be a general election taking place
over the next few months.
If you have moved since September you
may not be registered to vote at your
current address. To make sure you don’t
lose your right to vote, you can re-register
up to 11 working days before an election.
Forms are available from the website
www.aboutmyvote.co.uk by phoning
North Devon Council’s Elections team
on 01271 388277 or emailing
elections@northdevon.gov.uk
WINTER 2009 NORTH DEVON DIRECT 7

Enjoy
Christmas
without
the waste
Over the Christmas period about 30% more
rubbish is produced. This includes those bottles
of celebratory wine and drinks cans, as well as
Christmas trees, cards and wrapping paper.
So this year, why not make a special effort to try
to cut the amount of waste produced Here are
some ideas to help you reduce, reuse and recycle...
Festive facts
1
A massive one-billion Christmas cards
are sent every year in the UK - with around
333,000 trees needed to make that amount.
Reduce
• Think about packaging when buying for Christmas -
can you get the same product without the bulky box
• Use a Christmas stocking instead of wrapping paper
for presents
• If you have internet access, try sending electronic
Christmas cards.
Reuse
• When shopping for Christmas presents, use reusable
shopping bags or reuse carrier bags
• Use old Christmas cards to make new cards or tags for
presents this year
• Buy a Christmas tree with roots so that it can be planted in
the garden in spring, or buy an artificial Christmas tree that
can be used year after year
• Buy rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.
Recycle
• Put all flattened cardboard, from food packaging to
Christmas present boxes, into the reusable brown bag, ready
for collection
• Any leftover food waste can now be recycled - even the
Christmas turkey bones! Just put it into your green wheelie
bin or kerbside caddy
• Take wrapping paper (but not if it has glitter or foil on it)
to one of the household waste recycling centres, at either
Seven Brethren in Barnstaple, Maclins in South Molton or
Killacleave in Ilfracombe
• Once Christmas is over, chop your real Christmas tree up
and put it into your green wheelie bin - if you don’t have a
green bin, you can also take it to any of the recycling centres
• In January, take your Christmas cards to any WH Smith or
Tesco store, where the Woodland Trust will recycle them and
use the proceeds for their conservation work.
2
If you start your own compost heap this
Christmas with all your vegetable peelings
from Christmas dinner, then by next Christmas
you’ll have free, nutritious compost to help
make your garden bloom.
We have a limited number of free home
composters available - simply call 01271 374776
or email greensweepdirect@northdevon.gov.uk for
more information.
8
NORTH DEVON DIRECT WINTER 2009

Christmas
& New Year
waste and
recycling
collections
To ensure all your waste and recycling is
collected over the festive period, we have
put together a timetable for you.
You can also take
your recyclable waste
directly to one of three
civic amenity sites in
North Devon:
• Killacleave, Ilfracombe
• Seven Brethren, Barnstaple
• Maclins, South Molton
These sites will be closed on
Christmas Day, Boxing Day
and New Year’s Day.
If your normal
collection day
would be:
Monday 21 December
Tuesday 22 December
Wednesday 23 December
Thursday 24 December
Friday 25 December
Monday 28 December
Tuesday 29 December
Wednesday 30 December
Thursday 31 December
Friday 1 January
Monday 4 January
Tuesday 5 January
Wednesday 6 January
Thursday 7 January
Friday 8 January
Your new
collection
day will be:
Saturday 19 December
Monday 21 December
Tuesday 22 December
Wednesday 23 December
Thursday 24 December
Tuesday 29 December
Wednesday 30 December
Thursday 31 December
Saturday 2 January
Monday 4 January
Tuesday 5 January
Wednesday 6 January
Thursday 7 January
Friday 8 January
Saturday 9 January
Love your leftovers
Why not give your roast turkey leftovers
a new lease of life this Christmas in a...
TURKEY, HAM AND LEEK PIE
If you are reheating leftovers, make sure they are steaming hot
throughout, and don’t reheat the same food more than once.
For more ideas on how to use your Christmas leftovers,
visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
Ingredients
• 90g butter
• 25g flour
• 1 litre turkey stock
• A pinch of salt
• Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon English mustard
• 350g cooked turkey or chicken cut
into chunks or strips
• 125g cooked ham cut into chunks
• 6 leeks, cleaned and chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 200g ready make shortcrust pastry
• 1 lightly beaten egg
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 220°C
(425°F) gas mark 7.
2. Melt the butter in a heavy based
pan and add the flour off the
heat. Whisk in the turkey stock
and cook over a medium heat,
stirring all the time until the
sauce is smooth. Season well
and add the mustard.
3. Place the turkey pieces, ham and
leeks in the bottom of an oval
pie dish, sprinkle with the fresh
parsley and pour over the sauce.
4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly
floured surface and cover the pie
dish with the pastry.
5. Brush the top of the pastry with a
little beaten egg and bake in the
oven for 20-25 minutes. After this
time reduce the heat to 180°C
(350°F) gas mark 4 and bake for a
further 15 minutes.
WINTER 2009 NORTH DEVON DIRECT 9

Celebrating
10 years
of Safer
North
Devon
Our work covers
five main areas and
includes; Alcohol and
Drug Related Crime;
Anti-Social Behaviour;
Violent Crime including
Domestic Violence;
Prejudice and Hate
Crime and Youth Crime
Prevention.
Based at Barnstaple police station, Safer
North Devon works with eight other partner
agencies who include Devon County Council,
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service,
North Devon Council, Devon Primary Care
Trust, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary,
Devon and Cornwall Police Authority, Torridge
District Council and Devon and Cornwall
Probation Area.
Amanda Palmer, Manager of Safer North
Devon says: “Safer North Devon has delivered
an incredible number of projects over the
last ten years to help make North Devon and
Torridge a safer place to live, work and visit.”
“This year we are celebrating our success by
raising awareness of our work, how it benefits
people and how we work with and challenge
our partners to come up with the best
solutions to solve local crime and anti-social
behaviour concerns.”
10 WAYS
we tackle crime and anti-social behaviour
1 Partnering - we work with our partners to come up with
the best solutions to solve local crime and anti-social
behaviour concerns
2 Responding - we deal with anti-social behaviour and
low level crimes by trying to reduce the long term causes
and by bringing offenders to justice
3 Signposting - we signpost people to specialist
agencies who can help them with further information,
advice and support
4 Encouraging - we encourage people to get involved
in local community safety projects as it helps us
improve the solutions we deliver to tackle crime and
anti-social behaviour
5 Listening - we listen to and act upon local community
ideas and contributions to find better solutions to
tackle crime and anti-social behaviour
6 Communicating - we communicate the outcomes of our
projects and how the community is benefiting from the
work we do
7 Funding - we lobby for and draw down funding to run
community safety projects
8 Educating - we educate local communities about who we
are and what we are doing to tackle crime and anti-social
behaviour. We also learn from communities who educate
us on their needs
9 Reassuring - we reassure the public that their
contributions to community safety are acted upon and
make a difference
10 Forecasting - we look at national, regional and local trends
and put projects in place to prevent crime and anti-social
behaviour escalating
For more information visit www.safernorthdevon.co.uk
Helping us set
priorities for
the future
From household waste and recycling collections to cultural and
recreational activities in the area - North Devon Council wants to know
what you think of local services.
In September, 2,500 questionnaires were randomly sent out to homes across the
district. The survey asks people what they think are the most important aspects of
life in North Devon, from education and healthcare, to the level of crime and job
prospects. The results will help us identify priority issues for local people, as well
as what they think of our services and which ones need most improving.
If you were sent one of these surveys but haven’t returned it, there is still time.
Please send it back by Monday 14 December 2009 to have your say.
10
NORTH DEVON DIRECT WINTER 2009

£10
Wilko Bretton plum table lamp
Height 41cm.
£16 0275032
Wilko purple ripple pendant shade
H23cm x D30cm.
£10 0275026
easily
enchanted
If you like bold and strong
colours, our Enchant theme
is just the style for you. It’ll
give your home a modern,
confident look without going
over the top. Even just a
few of these great value
products dotted around a
room will give it a real lift
and sophisticated feel.
Wilko woven aubergine throw
150cm x 200cm.
£20 0262534
£5
set of 3
Wilko Enchant cream bird
Large £3 0274800
Small £1.50 0274796
more ranges in-store and online
Wilko Enchant vase with glitter daisy
£5 0274816
Some products may be available online only.
Wilko Enchant bud vase
Set of 3.
£5 0274805
easily
enchanted
magical
mystic
nicely
noir
spicy
saffron
sweet
serenity
Green Lanes Shopping Centre
Barnstaple
www.wilkinsonplus.com
WINTER 2009 NORTH DEVON DIRECT 11

What’s on
14
Nov
until
9
Jan
3
5
5
6
13
20
17
&
22
17
20
December
North Devon in Photographs
9.30am - 5pm, Mon - Sat at the
Museum of Barnstaple and North
Devon. Exhibition of selected entries
from the ever popular competition
for both experienced and budding
photographers, aiming to capture the
essence of northern Devon.
A Victorian Christmas
6.30 - 8.30pm at Barnstaple Pannier
Market. Enjoy some old world
entertainment at the town’s historic
market. Visit Santa, fill up on some hot
food and join in with a traditional carol
service. Call Becky at Barnstaple Town
Council on 01271 373311 for more info.
“Tree o’clock” : Tree planting
world record attempt
10am at Yeo Valley Community
Woodland, Barnstaple. Be part of the
BBC’s Breathing Places world record
attempt to plant a million trees across
Britain in an hour. Bring along a garden
spade and wear sturdy shoes! Contact
Andrew on 01271 388323 or email
parks@northdevon.gov.uk for info.
RNLI Christmas Cracker
11am - 4pm at the Landmark Theatre,
Ilfracombe. Don’t miss this fun day
with stalls full of Christmas gift ideas,
decorations, cards and food to buy.
There will also be competitions,
refreshments, RNLI souvenirs, Santa’s
grotto, choirs, and raffles. Free entry.
Christmas Markets
10am - 4pm, Barnstaple Pannier Market.
Grab yourself a unique gift and enjoy
the festive atmosphere. The children can
visit Santa in his grotto while you are
entertained by local singer Sophie Parry.
Late Night Shopping
9am - 4pm, Barnstaple Pannier Market.
Get in some last minute shopping - from
fresh sprouts to unique gifts, there’s
something for everyone.
Taw & Torridge Stamp Club
7.30pm, Castle Hall, Castle Street,
Barnstaple. Christmas Evening - Mini-
Auction and The Committee Entertains.
All welcome, including beginners. Call
Andrew on 01271 329762 for more info.
Christmas Treasure Hunt
10.30am - 3pm at Bicclescombe Park.
Follow clues around the park to find the
treasure. Visit Santa in his grotto and
enjoy festive arts and crafts.
All activities are free. Call 01271 388326
or email parks@northdevon.gov.uk
for more information.
3
5
8
16
16
until
6
Mar
23
30
January
Tree planting at Yeo Valley Woodland
10am, meet at Silverwood Heights
entrance. Wear waterproof clothing and
sturdy footwear, bring a packed lunch
and drink. Call 01271 388326 or email
parks@northdevon.gov.uk for more info.
Winter Ramble
10.30am, meet at Hunters Inn NT car
park, Heddon’s Mouth. 5 mile walk
as part of the North Devon Ramblers
Festival of Winter Walks. Bring a snack.
Tel: 01271 863727 for more info.
“What’s Plantlife All About”
7pm at the Castle Centre, Barnstaple.
Illustrated talk by Becky House of
Plantlife International. Find out about
South West plant life and traditional
plant uses. Donation of £2.50 to local
group funds.
Help a Ranger for a Day
Minibus pickup from Minehead,
Dulverton and Lynmouth areas by
arrangement. Carry out practical
conservation work with an Exmoor
National Park Ranger. Wear old clothes
and sturdy shoes, bring packed lunch.
U18’s to be accompanied by an adult.
Free to take part, call 07973 727469.
8th North Devon Open Art Show
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
and the Queen’s Theatre Gallery cafe.
Showcasing a wide range of new work
by selected artists.
Conservation Day
Practical conservation day at Swanpool
Marsh, Devon Wildlife Trust reserve
near Braunton. For further information
about the start time, tasks planned and
the parking/meeting arrangements call
Mary Breeds on 01271 817349 or email
mary_breeds@hotmail.com
Abba Mania
7.45pm at Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple.
Experience the music of Abba performed
live on stage. Hear all the favourites
including Waterloo, Dancing Queen
and Voulez Vous. Tickets £16.50 (£15.50),
U16s £10, family of four £50 from the
box office, call 01271 324242 or visit
www.northdevontheatres.org
To include your community
events in the Spring edition
of North Devon Direct...
please contact Holly Webbe on
01271 388278 or email her at
holly.webbe@northdevon.gov.uk
6
7
12
13
21
21
February
North Devon Sinfonia
7.30pm at St. Mary’s Church, Bideford.
Performance of Wagner: ‘Der
Meistersingers’ Overture, Strauss: Oboe
Concerto and Schubert: Symphony
No.9 - ‘The Great’. Tickets from the
box office on 01598 710434 or visit
www.northdevonsinfonia.org.uk
Tree planting at Yeo Valley Woodland
10am - meet at the Silverwood Heights.
Wear waterproof clothing and sturdy
footwear, bring a packed lunch and
drink. Call 01271 388326 for more info.
The Marine and Coastal Access Bill.
What Next
7pm at the Castle Centre, Barnstaple.
Richard White of Devon Wildlife Trust
talks about the work of the National
Wildlife Trust and our local Wildlife Trust,
to get the Bill through Parliament,
secure amendments to make it as
effective as possible. Donation of
£2.50 to local group funds.
Boogie Pete
2pm at the Landmark Theatre,
Ilfracombe. Join Pete Hillier from
CBeebies Boogie Beebies as he takes
to the stage with some dance moves,
magic, songs and silliness especially for
the little ones. Tickets £7.50, U16s £6.50
from the box office, call 01271 324242 or
visit www.northdevontheatres.org
Coppicing with the Devon Wildlife Trust
Work party at Devon Wildlife Trust
reserve near Barnstaple, Uppacott Wood.
Tasks will include coppicing. For further
information about start time, and the
parking/meeting arrangements call
Paul Madgett on 01271 812617 or
email madgett@hotmail.co.uk
Coastal Ramble
10.30am at Mortehoe car park. Six mile
walk with the North Devon Ramblers.
Bring a picnic. Call 01271 863727 for
more info.
Boogie Pete at
the Landmark
Theatre, Ilfracombe
Abba Mania at the
Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple
The calendar is also available on our website at www.northdevon.gov.uk/whatson
12
NORTH DEVON DIRECT WINTER 2009

Growing your own -
time to plan and prepare
Although we are in the winter period, Parks and Amenities Manager Alan Beer
reminds us that there are still plenty of things to do with the veg plot to ensure
a bumper crop of “home grown” fruit and vegetables next spring and summer.
December
A well-prepared soil is the key to
successful growing
• Clear leftover plant debris from the
vegetable plot
• Spread a layer of compost or manure over
the cleared soil and fork it into the surface to
break down over the winter
• When digging on wet soil, work from scaffold
boards to avoid compacting the soil
• Heavy soil must never be dug when it’s wet
as this can damage the soil structure and
lead to poor aeration and drainage.
January
Plan and plant
• Plan a crop rotation system for your
vegetables to maximise the space you
have available
• Order “early variety” seed potatoes
• Plant out fruit trees and bushes from
their containers
• Prepare a bean trench, filling it with the
rotted contents of the compost bin.
Once covered with soil in late spring,
the seeds can then be sown on top of
the trench.
February
Start sowing
• Sow onion seeds indoors
• If the weather allows and you have light
soil, sow first crops of broad beans, onion
bulbs, and peas
• If you have a glasshouse or cloches,
you can make your first sowing of
beetroot seeds, lettuces, spinach and
summer cabbage.
Christmas shopping,
Santa and more!
There’s something for everyone this Christmas at Barnstaple’s historic Pannier Market
This year the market is really going to
town with the festivities and if you’re
stuck for ideas, you’re sure to find a
unique gift at the Pannier Market.
There will be festive markets every
Sunday in December in the run up to
Christmas, as well as two opportunities
to fit in some late night shopping. Mums
and dads can bring the little ones to
meet Santa in his grotto and enjoy some
entertainment of their own from local
singer Sophie Parry.
The council-owned market has had
another busy year. Despite the
challenging economic climate, trade
has been good and the number of new
traders seems to be increasing – giving
shoppers even more choice and bringing
more visitors to the town.
In October the market hosted the annual
North Devon Foodfest which proved to
be an even bigger success than last year.
Crowds poured in to enjoy a taste of
the Westcountry and to see Channel 4’s
Willie Harcourt Cooze transform simple
cocoa beans into his
mouthwatering chocolate.
In order for Foodfest 09 to be
bigger and better than last year, the
council supported investment in an
electrical upgrade in the market.
As well as supporting this important
event in the foodie calendar, it is hoped
it will also encourage bigger and more
varied events to the Pannier Market
in the future.
Dates for your diary:
Thursday 3 December
Victorian Market with Christmas
stalls and choir
Thursday 17 & Tuesday 22 December
Late night Christmas shopping
Sunday 6, 13 & 20 December
Christmas markets
For the latest information about what’s on at the market and how to become a trader visit www.barnstaplepanniermarket.co.uk
or www.northdevon.gov.uk/panniermarket, call 01271 379084 or email pannier.market@northdevon.gov.uk
WINTER 2009 NORTH DEVON DIRECT 13

Help is at hand
for disabled
bus travellers
Getting
around
Ilfracombe
A new guide has been
produced to help people get
out and about in Ilfracombe.
With support and guidance from North Devon
Council the Ilfracombe Access Guide has been
published by the Ilfracombe Access Group, which
is a voluntary group working to improve access
for residents and visitors.
The guide points out the easiest places to eat, visit
and stay in Ilfracombe for people with access needs,
such as the elderly, those with disabilities and people
with pushchairs and small children.
An online version of the guide is also available, along
with a “gradient map”, which shows how level the
streets are in Ilfracombe and which are the easiest to
get around.
We recently launched a new
scheme to help disabled bus users
The new Companion Bus Pass allows disabled concessionary bus
pass holders, who are unable to travel by bus without
assistance, to take someone to help them for free.
The scheme is in addition to the national concessionary travel
scheme, which already provides free travel for the over 60s and
disabled people but does not include free travel for a disabled
person’s companion.
So far 14 passes have been issued to local residents.
Wendy Hilling, from Yelland is one of the first to benefit.
She says: “The scheme makes such a difference to my life,
for my independence and financially. Going out for the day is a
pleasure, I am no longer a prisoner at home. Since receiving
my pass I have been able to pursue my hobby more fully by
visiting more art shops and art galleries for supplies
and inspiration.”
The pass is available for disabled people of all ages. Applications
have been received on behalf of disabled children who not only
need assistance, but are also too young to travel alone.
If you need assistance from a friend or relative to use public
transport, contact our Customer Service Centre to see if you
can benefit from the scheme. Telephone 01271 327711, email
customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk or visit Barnstaple Civic
Centre, The Ilfracombe Centre or The Amory Centre, in South
Molton where one of our advisors will be happy to help.
The group has persuaded many of Ilfracombe’s
businesses and services to sign up to an Access
Charter, which means they are committed to
improving access to their services.
Braunton Access Group is also starting work on a
similar guide, so watch this space!
For more information and to request a copy of the
guide visit www.ilfracombeaccessguide.co.uk, email
info@ilfracombeaccessguide.co.uk or pick up a copy
from either Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre or
The Ilfracombe Centre, High Street.
14
NORTH DEVON DIRECT WINTER 2009

Sea Ilfracombe is a success
Following a successful showcase
day in September, preparations
are now well underway for the first
Sea Ilfracombe Festival in 2010.
The showcase day was funded by grants from
North Devon Council, the AONB and Devon County
Council, with help from the North Devon Theatres’
Trust, Umber Music, members of the Rotary Club,
local councillors and the Harbour Master.
The programme included a sea food trail, which consisted
of a series of sell-out conducted walks, taking in a seafood
lunch at five different stop offs, namely 11 The Quay, S&P Fish,
Capstone Restaurant, Maddy’s Fish & Chips, and Tony Holland
providing ice cream at the Landmark Theatre. This proved
particularly attractive to visitors who arrived from Swansea
on the Balmoral steamboat. The public were also able to
look around the boat whilst she was in port, with a group of
musicians providing entertainment on deck.
The Ilfracombe Aquarium and Coastwise held Rotary Rock
Pool Rambles, which again were oversubscribed, with the
accompanying adults learning as much as the children for
whom it was originally intended!
The weather made it unsafe for the intended Try-a-Gig
event, so the boat ‘Rapparee’ was placed in the foyer of the
Landmark Theatre instead, with members of the gig club on
hand to talk about their sport.
The Prince of Wales pub and the Yacht Club hosted live
shanty and sea song performances from a number of
different groups, encouraging the public to join in. ‘Pirate Pat’,
the storyteller and poet, also performed around the harbour.
The Pavilion hosted a number of diverse exhibitions by the
AONB, the local diving club, Exeter University Geography
Department, North Devon+, Airscape Devon and the
town’s museum.
Following the showcase day, 63 organisations, businesses and
individuals have now expressed an interest in being involved
in the 2010 festival. This will take place on the weekend of
10 to 12 September, with the potential of other community
events being held in advance.
• Pirate Pat entertained
the crowds
A website is planned for the near future so that
locals and visitors can find out what is happening.
If you would like to be involved, please contact
the Co-ordinator at Sea Ilfracombe, PO Box 11,
Ilfracombe, N. Devon EX34 0WS or call 01271 882366.
The intention is to expand on the sea food trail, the rock pool
rambles and the maritime music performances, by adding
more events at a variety of venues to the programme.
A not-for-profit limited company has been set up to plan
the festival, with business people from the town being
appointed as directors and additional help from others. They
have already applied for funding from local partnership
group ‘Leader 4 Torridge and North Devon’, with additional
sponsorship, in cash and in kind, also being sought.
WINTER 2009 NORTH DEVON DIRECT 15

ENROL
EXPERIENCE
GROW
Challenge yourself and try something new this Spring.
With a wide variety of courses available you’ll be spoilt
for choice.
Visit www.petroc.ac.uk for more information.
SPRING
PART TIME
COURSE
GUIDE OUT
NOW