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Monthly Archives: June 2013
Shoreline and Croyde Coastal Taxi Services
Rob
I can’t recommend Shoreline Taxi service enough. It is run by Rob Anderson who is super-friendly, reliable and trustworthy as well as a Parish Councillor to boot! Tel: 07812 104034. See also Croyde Coastal Taxi Service.
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Public meeting about Braunton’s traffic situation!
I’ve just received an email from Steve Baker at Pickwell Manor supporting a public meeting which is to take place in Braunton looking at the village’s traffic problems and potential solutions. The details are as follows:
At last – a real solution to Braunton’s traffic problems? “We complain about the traffic and blame other drivers – but could it be traffic control that is the problem?” asks Martin Cassini of Equality Streets, who with Keith Firth (of SKM Colin Buchanan) will present and discuss specific proposals for Braunton.
You are invited to a special meeting on Thursday 4th July 2013 at Braunton Parish Hall EX33 2ES, for a 7.45pm start.
Steve adds: “It would be good if you are planning to look up Equality Streets online. In particular, view the first and third videos at the Media tab. These show the scope in a sociable design – as distinct from traffic management “solution” – to Braunton’s road safety and congestion problems.” You can see Equality Streets’ website here.
As a post-script, as I understand it, the meeting is to be a public meeting in which locals will be invited to speak so maybe consider going along and having your say!
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Are Braunton’s traffic lights out of sync and exacerbating queues?
Someone’s suggested that the queues in the middle of the village are being made worse by the traffic lights outside The George being out of sync with the main lights. Has anyone else noticed this?
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Shops we love – Gulf Stream Surf Shop
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Trimstone Manor Country House Hotel & Cottages
In addition to the Lounge Bar and Tyme Restaurant, the Hotel has facilities such as VisitBritain 3* accredited en-suite bedrooms and self-catering cottages, a courtyard, and extensive gardens and grounds where you can relax with a glass of wine. This coupled with a seasonal indoor heated swimming pool, fitness room and games room for residents, providing everything you need for a relaxing stay.
We are licensed for Weddings and offer a very attractive all-inclusive wedding package and our garden and grounds are licensed for events if you need to book the whole establishment and erect a marquee or two!
Call us on 01271 862841 for reservations and enquiries.
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Flooding in Braunton – and why it will happen again unless action is taken!
This article was written by Simon Tattersall who owns property on Caen Street
The 13th – if you are superstitious – may not be a good day and so it could have been in Caen Street on 13th June this year. After a relatively light fall of rain there was water half way across Caen Street because – yet again – the drains were not doing what they are supposed to do and flooding beckoned.
I say ‘yet again’ because Braunton has an astonishing flood record. In the last 118 years there have been 21 recorded floods – 12 of which have occurred in the last 50 years. It would be easy to assume that the river Caen overtopping its banks is the major cause – and certainly the worst property damage has been caused this way – but in fact the Environment Agency reckon that of the 21 events, only 5 have been as a direct result of the river overtopping. What is going on?
As all Brauntonians know, the Environment Agency’s flood relief scheme – aimed at substantially reducing the risk of flooding from the river – was completed in 2012. Just 6 months later, on December 22nd, a further damaging flood occurred when the river burst its banks at the Memorial Gardens, sending water along the A361 where it turned into Caen Street and entered 25 commercial properties. This flood was arguably worse than the one in 2004 – the river again – because the drainage system did not take the water away and it had to be removed by pump.
The following months saw a visit from Royalty, meetings with the various responsible agencies and most recently a presentation to the Parish Council by the Environment Agency of their proposal to carry out further work this autumn to improve the river defences.
What of the drainage system? The County Council – following legislation passed in 2009 and 2010 – is now the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and is tasked with working with other organisations to manage the flood risk. The Environment Agency has told the LLFA that the flooding on Caen Street is ‘a real and separate problem’ and the LLFA has now provided funds to the Highways section of Devon County Council to assess the current situation. Unbelievably Devon County Council has no records, plans or drawings of the drainage system!
Looking at the placing of the outflow into the river (practically at river bed level just by the road bridge) it is manifestly clear even to the layman that the fall from road gulley to river is far too shallow to work properly even if the drains are kept clear, and that any material rise in river levels will effectively shut the outlet off. Result? Another flood in Caen Street!
The LLFA has indicated that realistically the only solution may be a pumping station. Of course this will be expensive, but what is the cost of not doing it? By March this year 5 of the 25 commercial properties on Caen Street were still shut and the eventual cost to insurers, owners and tenants of repairing damage, replacing stock, paying insurance excesses and other unrecoverable costs is likely to exceed £500,000!
We need to ensure that the commercial heart of Braunton is not flooded out again! To help with this may I suggest that you consider emailing the local County Councillor for Braunton who is Caroline Chugg. Her contact details are on her blog which is here.
For more information about the developments since the flooding see the other articles on this site.
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Come Dine With Me looking for Braunton contestants!
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Check out Bay Fitness Retreats!
For anyone looking to spend a few days getting back into shape or even back into shape, look no further than the Bay Fitness Retreats. Specifically, they offer two types of health and fitness retreats: Luxury Reboots and then Team Building for sports teams and businesses.
Bay Fitness is run by Andrew Blake who has been lecturing, coaching and training athletes of all levels for over 10 years in Devon, France, New Zealand and Fiji. He is a qualified L3 personal trainer, nutritionist and Fitness yoga instructor. He has two degrees and is a qualified Football, Tennis and surf coach.
You can read more about the Retreats and the other classes that he offers here.
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Lots on in the next week in and around Braunton
What’s on this week
18 June, 7pm. Survival Strategies. Devon Wildlife Trust, Barnstaple and District. Book by phoning Joyce at 01271 374324 or emailing Paul on [email protected].
20 June, 6pm. Sheepdog and Falconry Display www.boroughfarm.co.uk
21 June, 5pm – late. Arlington Court. The Big Picnic.
21 June, 6.30pm. Sandy Lane Car Park SS463/350. Braunton Burrows nature walk with John Breeds. Contact [email protected] or tel. 01271 817349
22 June, 1pm-11pm. CalvertStock
22 June, 9.30am-12noon. Braunton Farmers’ Market, Braunton Parish Hall
21-23 June GoldCoast Oceanfest. More information here.
23 June, 2pm-5.30pm. Open Gardens at Buckland Manor and St Brannocks House, Braunton. £4 for the British Red Cross. See our AboutBraunton Feature.
22 & 23 June, 2pm-6pm. Garden Open. St Merryn, Higher Park Road, Braunton. Adults £3.50, children free.
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Pictures of Buckland Manor and St Brannocks House for Open Garden event
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‘Old Favourite’ – for handmade vintage pieces for your home
A big heads-up for local online shop Old Favourite run by former fashion designer Lucy Wakefield. As she says on the website, “Old Favourite is all about vintage inspired art and design, a collection of handmade and handprinted things for your home which are unique, full of character and nostalgic.” Her pieces include vintage paper birds (which have been featured in Country Living and English Homes magazines), printed cushions, tea cosies, tea towels, lavender hearts and peg bags, alongside mixed media paintings and prints. What’s more she is offering free postage until October 2013! Check out Lucy’s website for more information.
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Support Ben Bradshaw as he walks the Braunton Parish boundary
Ben Bradshaw (left) is the new curate of the Braunton Mission Community and in July he will be doing a sponsored walk of the parish bounds of Braunton. These stretch out over 25 miles and include walking through fields and beaches. To the north it goes past Knowle, to the East as far as Fullabrook and Pippacott, to the South it stretches to the end of Braunton Burrows and to the West, past the village of Saunton. He is hoping to raise £1,000 by doing the walk to raise funds for St Brannock’s Church which has recently had to find funding to complete urgent roof repairs costing over £7000, at a time when the Church is already suffering serious financial difficulties.
On the walk he will not be taking any money, food or a tent with him. He will sleep under the stars during the night of his walk and will rely on kind-hearted strangers I meet on the way to provide any food donations. He says on his funmdraising page, “I decided on this unusual step to be in solidarity with, and also to experience first hand, the challenges that many people around the world face on a daily basis, not knowing where their next meal will come from or where they will sleep at night. I have visited Zimbabwe on three separate occasions and I do charity work with refugees, lepers and orphans in the African country who often live under such circumstances.”
To sponsor him visit his JustGiving page and for more information you can email him on [email protected].
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New North Devon Hospice Charity Shop opening
A brand-spanking new North Devon Hospice shop is set to open on Caen Street in Braunton this Tuesday, 18th June at 11.00am. It’s located on the main shopping street (where children’s shop Ruby Tuesday’s used to be located). Sadly since the December floods Ruby Tuesday’s closed down but hurrah for this very smart looking charity shop taking its place and not leaving our high street empty. And best of all you can shop guilt free as by making a purchase you’ll be helping to support an incredible local charity. I’ll see you there! See here for more information on North Devon Hospice.
Two other great charity shops in the village where you can also bag a bargain are the RSPCA and North Devon Ambulance, located a few doors away from each other.
Great new video by Richard Gregory @WaveDreamer: ‘Love My Outdoors’ for the National Trust
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Love your Local Library
Braunton Library is a fantastic amenity on our doorstep. The staff are super-friendly and helpful and if they don’t have the book you want in stock then the chances are it can be ordered in for as little as 50p.
Plus, there’s always free events going on including weekly sessions for the little ones of Children’s Storytime (Monday 14.30 – 15.00) and Bounce & Rhyme (Wednesday 10.30 – 11.00). Check out the What’s On page for one-off events. Oh, and to top it all off they even rent the latest release DVDs for just £3 per week.
Library Opening Times:
Monday 10.00 – 18.00
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10.00 – 13.00
Thursday Closed
Friday 10.00 – 17.00
Saturday 10.00 – 13.00
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Introducing Blue Fizz Events @bluefizzevents
If you’re looking for an event management company look no further than North Devon’s very own Blue Fizz Events. Run by Tracy Edwards, Sue Mills and Bridget Scott they’ll sort you out whether it’s weddings, corporate events or simply a party you want help with. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
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Just added: Braunton Beer and Cider Festival – 23 to 26 August
Just added the Braunton Beer and Cider Festival to our What’s On Page. It’s from 23-26 August at the Black Horse Pub. See their Facebook Page.
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Braunton Countryside Centre Publish their Summer Talks
A big heads-up for the wonderful array of talks which are due to take place at the Countryside Centre every Wednesday evening from 31st August to 3 October. You can see the full list at our What’s On in Braunton Page alongside other nature events being run by the Devon Wildlife Trust and Coastwise. You can also see the poster for the talks at the Countryside Centre’s Facebook Page.
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Loads of new events up on our What’s On in Braunton page for June!
June 2013
6 June, 7.30pm. North Devon Transition Forum meeting at Freedom Centre Barnstaple.
6, 7 & 8 June, 7.30pm. Croyde Players present Proscenophobia (Stage Fright) in Croyde Village Hall. Tickets available at CopyCatz in Braunton among others.
7 June, 2.30pm-4pm. Braunton Library, drop-in children’s craft session.
7 June, 6.30pm. Sandy Lane Car Park SS463/350. Braunton Burrows nature walk with John Breeds. Contact [email protected] or tel. 01271 817349
8 June, 10am-12 noon, Braunton Parish Hall. Coffee Morning and Craft Fayre.
8 & 9 June. Relay for Life, ND Athletics Track, Braunton. Email: [email protected].
8 June, 9.30am-12.30pm. Wrafton Farmers’ Market, Wrafton Parish Hall, near Braunton
9 June. Devon Coast to Coast Challenge. www.coast-coast.co.uk
9 June – Douglas E Powell, Beggars Fest, Lynton & Lynmouth Free Festival, The Beggars Roost, Devon. www.douglasepowell.co.uk
9 June, 11am-4pm. Arlington Court. Open Farm Sunday.
11 June, 7pm. Botanical Survey, Higher Bumsley. Devon Wildlife Trust, Barnstaple and District. Book by phoning Joyce at 01271 374324 or emailing Paul on [email protected].
13 June, 11am-3pm. Birds of a Wild Exmoor Valley. Devon Wildlife Trust, Barnstaple and District. Book by phoning Joyce at 01271 374324 or emailing Paul on [email protected].
13 June, 7pm. Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe. National Theatre Live. The Audience
14 June, 6.30pm. Sandy Lane Car Park SS463/350. Braunton Burrows nature walk with John Breeds. Contact [email protected] or tel. 01271 817349
15 June, 10am-12 noon, Braunton Parish Hall. Coffee morning for the Women’s Royal British Legion. Admission 20p.
16 June, 7pm. Castle Hill Outdoor Theatre. Lark Rise. More information here.
18 June, 7pm. Survival Strategies. Devon Wildlife Trust, Barnstaple and District. Book by phoning Joyce at 01271 374324 or emailing Paul on [email protected].
21 June, 5pm – late. Arlington Court. The Big Picnic.
21 June, 6.30pm. Sandy Lane Car Park SS463/350. Braunton Burrows nature walk with John Breeds. Contact [email protected] or tel. 01271 817349
22 June, 1pm-11pm. CalvertStock
22 June, 9.30am-12noon. Braunton Farmers’ Market, Braunton Parish Hall
21-23 June GoldCoast Oceanfest. More information here.
22 & 23 June, 2pm-6pm. Garden Open. St Merryn, Higher Park Road, Braunton. Adults £3.50, children free.
25 June, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Braunton Library. Knights and Princesses morning for children under 5 and their parents to celebrate National Bookstart Week.
25 June, 7pm, Crow Point car park. Braunton Burrows (South) – orchids and more. Devon Wildlife Trust, Barnstaple and District. Book by phoning Joyce at 01271 374324 or emailing Paul on [email protected].
27 June, 2pm. Coastwise rock-pool ramble. Barricane Beach, Woolacombe. Meet at the top of the beach. Contact Jim Monroe on 01271 882078 or 07889 134666 or see www.coastwisenorthdevon.org.uk
27 June. 11am-5pm. Volehouse DWT Reserve. Devon Wildlife Trust, Barnstaple and District. Book by phoning Joyce at 01271 374324 or emailing Paul on [email protected].
28 June, 6.30pm. Sandy Lane Car Park SS463/350. Braunton Burrows nature walk with John Breeds. Contact [email protected] or tel. 01271 817349
29 June. Ben Foulds 21st Birthday Tribute Concert. The Factory Petroc. www.wegottickets.com
30 June. North Devon AONB Marathon. www.northdevonmarathon.co.uk
30 June, 7pm. Arlington Court. Sherlock Holmes open air theatre.
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North Devon Transition Forum meeting in Barnstaple this evening
Just a reminder that the North Devon Transition Forum is having a meeting at 7.30pm this evening 6th June at the Freedom Centre Barnstaple. The subject is “How are austerity cuts impacting the poorest families in North Devon?” it promises to be a fascinating meeting. Guest speakers: Claire Fisher from Barnstaple Poverty Action Group – Encompass, and Jeremy Westcott from the Freedom Social Projects. Refreshments provided.
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