Issue 32 - June 2013 Exe Press

Urgent action needed!

Register now to continue receiving Exe Press by post – see next and last pages

In this issue Partnership news LiCCo update Patrol Boat Bird pollution deaths Exe Regatta Driftwood art Summer events

Photo Credit: EEMP

follow us on

@Exeestuary For the latest -wide information, news and events please visit www.exe-estuary.org Partnership News

The summer season is in full swing on the Estuary and there are more plates spinning than an octopus could control at the moment! Here’s a quick round up of some things that are happening.

Estuary inspiration - School visits to the estuary began on 22nd Photo credit: EEMP May, with the first of ten groups of excited children coming to Local Nature Reserve to meet the creatures of the estuary in their own homes and habitats. We all know that the is a fascinating place, with lots of captivating Did you receive this newsletter by post? - as part of the stories to tell. To help others share the magic, in the next few database review, we are asking people who receive the weeks we’ll be commissioning production of an education Exe Press by post to tell us if they still wish to receive it. resource pack based on different aspects of the Exe Estuary - to Please see the back page for more details of how to do inspire both teachers and students alike. this. Posting out Exe Press to people who don’t want it and didn’t ask for it just adds to junk mail, wasting both Summer event - the Partnership will be holding its summer resources and the cost of postage. If we don’t hear from event on the evening of Thursday 29th August in the Coaver postal recipients by the end of October, we’ll delete their Club at County Hall . Not a festival this year but, after address details from the database and won’t send any the popularity of the February event, another chance to discuss more Exe Presses by post to that address. There will be a estuary topics in a forum format, with presentations and reminder in the next (September) issue. discussions. The event theme will be a celebration of different aspects of the Exe Estuary – including its heritage. If you would like to know more about any of the activities mentioned above, do get in touch. Have a smashing Living Leaflets - the suite of Exe summer out on the gorgeous Exe Estuary! Take a look at Explorer, Exe Activities and the events listed on pages 14 and 15 for inspiration. Exe Wildlife leaflets are massively popular with local people Midge Kelly, Exe Estuary Officer and visitors alike, but they need Tel 01392 382236 or midge.kelly@.gov.uk updating from time to time, and this year the Exe Activities leaflet is getting a revamp. The Partnership has been listening to suggestions for improvement from local businesses, so look out for the Photo credit: EEMP brand new design later this year. Dusting off the Database – the Partnership database and newsletter mailing list are in need of an overhaul, so over the next few months we will review it to ensure that details are as correct as we can possibly make them, and that it works better as a tool to help us make targeted contact with people with specific interests (e.g. forum event, clean ups etc.). We may also be inviting new people to join us to ensure full representation of organisations and individuals having different interests around the Estuary.

2 Living with a Changing Coast (LiCCo)

Listening to you – the Exe Estuary Strategy LiCCo across the Channel During the recent public consultation period A major part of the LiCCo project is sharing nearly 500 local people came along to drop-in learning on climate change and coastal sessions and public meetings to find out more management between the relevant bodies in about future proposals for managing the risk of France and . Both countries need to tidal flooding to estuary communities. address similar issues, such as protecting people The Living with a Changing Coast (LiCCo) project enabled and wildlife in the face of coastal erosion and sea the to increase the level of public level rise. participation in the development of the Strategy. This Two French delegates attended the last Exe Estuary Forum involved displays in supermarkets, leisure centres and and were hugely impressed with the large turnout and local council offices and working with community groups interactive nature of the debate. Engaging with the public and parish councils to publicise events via posters and in this way is still in its infancy in France. LiCCo staff from newsletters. visited Normandy in March to better As a result of this activity the Environment Agency understand how the issues are dealt with there. received 154 responses. We also received two petitions, one with more than 400 signatures from Darts Farm. These petitions and the majority of responses objected to Photo credit: EEMP recommendations in the Lower Clyst Valley, including the proposals to create new intertidal habitat. Outside of this area there were very few concerns raised. Because of the strength of local feeling the Agency has been reflecting on options which will meet the needs of all parties - to deliver future flood defences to estuary communities at risk, whilst still protecting the internationally important natural environment for the next generation. This has involved discussions to agree a way forward jointly with partners in the Strategy – , Network Rail, Natural England and District, District and Exeter City Councils. You can see a list of all consultation responses at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/exe/estuary. along with details of the suggested amendments to the draft Strategy.

Let LiCCo know LiCCo is all about a changing coastline – now, in the past and in the future. If you’d like to share your memories of the Exe Estuary of yesteryear you can add them directly to our website www.licco.eu or please contact Jane Lavick, Tel 07917 238309 or email [email protected]

Photo credit: the Environment Agency 3 Beach Management Scheme to Protect the Estuary

Up to £8.6 million has been identified by the Government to fund a beach management scheme that could be a major national showcase for positively managed coastal change. Whilst the main aim of the project is to increase the lifespan of the Warren spit as a natural wave barrier, there should Photo credit: the Environment Agency be a number of other benefits, such as a better quality tourist beach and improved sand dunes. The scheme will be designed to reduce the risk of tidal flooding to nearly 3000 homes, businesses and the main railway line, of local people, including businesses, beach users and elected so helping to protect tourism and the wider local economy. members. Several detailed issues, such as access, timing of works Proposals include constructing a new embankment across and how best to minimise disruption for residents have already the Warren, removing gabions (rock filled baskets), improving been raised. These will be taken forward at the detailed design groynes and bringing in fresh sand to the beach. stage and through continued engagement with the local community. Although at an early stage, the project team of the Environment Agency, Teignbridge District Council and Halcrow Jane Lavick, Principal Engagement Officer, LiCCo07917 238309 has already held workshops to better understand the views or [email protected]

Photo credit: EEMP More Trains for the East Bank on Sundays

Devon County Council, the train operator and community rail group working together to grow patronage by improving services. These new services demonstrate the long term need for two trains an hour on this line in the new train franchise.’ This view is echoed by the Rail Users’ Group (ALRUG), which was formed in 2007 and now has more First Great Western have recently introduced a half-hourly than 200 members. ALRUG has been campaigning service between Exeter Central and Exmouth on Sundays from for a half-hourly Sunday service for several years, and around 10am until 6pm. The additional services are being welcomed the 6-week pilot service that ran in the pre- funded by Devon County Council and will continue throughout Christmas period. The pilot enhanced service was very the summer until mid-September. popular and well-used by passengers despite the inclement Rail services in Devon have seen an unprecedented increase weather and economic challenges. Tony Day, Chairman of in passenger numbers in recent years: Last year the ALRUG commented, ‘We believe there is a demand for a Exeter–Exmouth ‘Avocet’ Line carried more than 1.4 million permanent half-hourly Sunday service all year round, and passengers – an increase of an astonishing 9.7% on the recent correspondence with Rail Minister Norman Baker previous year, with the trend continuing into 2013. Bruce MP does not rule that out as a future scenario.’ Thompson, Head of Transport Co-ordination Service at Devon For further information, please contact County Council said that ‘This is an excellent example of Tony Day 07951 444838

4 Photo credit: EEMP Back on Patrol

Photo credit: EEMP

The Harbour Patrol Boat is out and about again this please take special care around these. year, and set to ease tensions and remind water Some requests to enable enjoyment of the river by More Trains for the users that it is not a free for all in the Estuary and everyone: that rules are there for a reason. • Please don’t exceed posted speed limits East Bank on Sundays The Estuary answers many different needs that sometimes seem incompatible – the adrenaline rush associated with kite • Stay well away from bathers and bathing areas surfing or power boating for some, the quiet chilling out with • Stay away from areas where you may cause disturbance nature that others enjoy. The Patrol Boat reminds us that with to wildlife, beach users or residents a little mutual respect we can all be happy – and safer. • Navigate with due care and attention and don’t forget The Patrol Boat is crewed by volunteers, and despite the the effects of your wake unseasonal weather last summer, the volunteers contributed • PWC users; display your data tag numbers and stay away more than 200 hours of their time, and we owe them a huge from the shore unless recovering (please don’t use the vote of thanks. Very few duty sessions were called off because moorings as a race circuit). Consider joining the local of the weather and the Estuary was almost as busy as ever. PWC club. The Patrol is back this year because of donations to meet the cost of fuel made by local sailing clubs, local councillors, • The Ski area within the river is for wakeboarding and Parish Councils and Fishery and Harbour water ski use not PWC unless towing. Association. We are very grateful for the support of these Have a great season and stay safe. If you have relevant various bodies and community representatives. experience and a philosophical attitude, why not volunteer The main focus of the Patrol is boats and Personal Water as a member of the harbour patrol’s crew? Contact Craft (PWC – including jet skiers) who exceed the byelaw Midge Kelly the Exe Estuary Officer for a discussion speed of 10 knots through the water, and those who cause a and/or an application form (01392 382236 danger to other users through poor navigation or ignorance. or [email protected]). We ask that people use the river responsibly and take account Andy Phillips, of the needs of other users both afloat and ashore. Areas with East Devon District Council Beach Safety Officer particular scope for conflict are launch sites and slipways, so

5 Pollution incidents kill thousands of seabirds

In February and April this year two pollution incidents left at least 2400 birds dead on beaches in the south west and more than 500 taken into care. To date 18 species have been affected, the majority of casualties being guillemots. The substance responsible has yet to be formally identified but is likely to be the same in both cases - PIB (polyisobutene), used in the manufacture of a diverse range of products including synthetic rubber, adhesives, sealants, cling film, chewing gum and cosmetics. There were three earlier known instances of mass seabird mortality around European coasts involving the release of PIB, in 1994, 1998 and 2010. Seabirds coated in PIB are immobilised and prevented from feeding, causing hypothermia, starvation and, eventually, death. The full impact of the pollution incidents are still being assessed, by looking at the age, breeding status and origin of the birds killed. The timing of the second 2013 incident coincided with the movement of birds back into breeding areas, so it is likely that Photo Credit: RSPB there will be an effect on the longer term breeding success which will only be measurable in future months. Discharges of large quantities of PIB are already illegal, but under Annex II of the international MARPOL Convention, which sets controls for discharge for noxious liquid substances, the various forms of PIB can be legally discharged under certain conditions – such as tank washing even though they are considered to present a hazard to marine or human life. The RSPB understands that 75 – 350 litres of PIB can be discharged legally with each tank washing, depending on the age of the ship, but the cumulative total of releases isn’t known. Neither is it known whether the recent incidents in the south west are the result of legal or illegal discharges. To date it has not been possible to track down the source of the south west pollution, raising questions about whether the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has the resources necessary to do this. The RSPB has taken up the issue of legal discharges of PIB with Government. The organisation is concerned that product testing of PIB does not take full account of its impacts on marine ecosystems when it is mixed with seawater – the more hidden Photo Credit: RSPB but none the less serious effects on the wider marine ecosystem as well as the visible effects on seabirds. Until it is known that the quantities of PIB that can be discharged legally have no significant impact on the marine environment, the RSPB want to For more information on this matter, please contact see PIB reclassified by the International Maritime Organisation the RSPB’s South West Press Officer (Tony Whitehead) to prohibit discharges in routine tank washing operations. directly on 01392 453754 or 07872 414365.

6 Photo credit: EEMP Pollution incidents kill thousands of seabirds

Farewell to Sally Mills

After 2 years of dedicated service, Sally Mills has left Ever since her early days working for the RSPB in the nineties, her post as Site Manager of the RSPB’s Exe Estuary Sally has been passionate about supporting farmers and it is reserves to take up a new role at RSPB HQ, leading a great that she now has an opportunity to lead a key area of the project to convert biomass from farms into bioenergy. RSPB’s work with farmers. The change of roles does now mean that a new site manager is needed to manage the Exe Estuary The work is part funded by the Department of Energy and reserves - recruitment is well under way. Climate Change’s Science and Innovation Team, and the project Ideally, we hope to have a new manager in post in the summer has been set up as a competition to invite innovative proposals and, as the reserves have just sprung into life, they can’t start for the entire process from biomass harvesting to energy soon enough! The footpath between the Swans Nest and Turf production. To maintain a focussed approach, the competition Inn is being well-used, and Bowling Green hide and the estuary is dealing specifically with wetlands, and the innovators viewing platform are as popular as ever. The cycle path around are being asked to look at fen, reedbed and wet grassland Matford is getting busier each year and Darts Farm is just a great particularly, as these are some of our most challenging habitats. place to go on a summer day. The announcement of the competition has already generated The team of volunteers that Sally Mills helped to establish will a lot of interest. Sally is dealing with requests for clarification be active on these sites throughout the summer. So if you meet and more information as well as helping to develop specific them on the reserves or you are at one of our summer events, solutions, including briquettes, anaerobic digestion and please stop them and ask about what is going on at the moment. pyrolysis (a type of charcoaling). If all goes to plan, the project They will appreciate the break and, by then, we should know who will develop several different approaches to creating energy the new site manager will be. from farm waste, which will provide a vital new source of income for farmers. Giles Beauchamp, RSPB 7 Photo Credit: National Trust

Wildfowlers and Wildlife Trust Clean up

On Saturday 23rd March, Devon Wildfowling and Conservation Association and Devon Wildlife Trust got together for an epic clean up of the area around the Turf Inn, . Walking from the Swans’ Nest, the volunteers had to wade through knee-deep floodwater along the track to reach Turf Lock. We then worked extremely hard to remove countless bags of litter and plastic bottles, several car wheels, bike wheels, signs, buoys, a TV, road cones and - most alarmingly - a 5 gallon drum full of diesel and some hypodermic needles. Families Muck in All the rubbish was carried up to the canal tow-path through the reeds and loaded onto the boat manned by the DWT. This then motored to Turf where the waste was transferred with Hedgelaying from boat to skip. After 4 hours the skip was full with more than 0.7 tonnes of Earlier in the year, the National Trust East Devon rubbish, and the area had been transformed and restored Rangers held two hedge-laying days. Participants to nature. At that point we adjourned to the Turf for a well- included members of Transition Town Exmouth, local deserved (and utterly fabulous!) lunch paid for by the Exe residents - and Badger the dog. Estuary Management Partnership. Cheers! Before the use of electric fences, farmers used hedges to Thank you to everyone for such a fantastic effort. keep cattle and sheep in the fields and hedge-laying was a Patrick Gubb, Conservation Officer, Devon Wildfowling & continual and important activity for them and their labourers. Conservation Association The hedges were not trimmed but allowed to grow naturally and then the branches split with a billhook. They were carefully bent down and woven together, allowing the hedge to grow into a compact, often thorny barrier that is much Photo Credit: D&SIFCA better for nesting birds and other wildlife than the often leggy and sparse machine-cut hedges seen today. Billed as National Trust “family muck-in days”, muck was not in short supply thanks to recent wet weather, but according to TTE member Adrian Toole, “Spirits were lifted by rare sunshine and fantastic views of the estuary and the hills beyond. The results of the work were impressive, with many yards of hedge beaten into submission!” Visit the East Devon Rangers website to learn more about the Rangers’ work or the Lower Halsdon Farm site http:// ntlowerhalsdonfarm.com or call 01297 680507 to find out about events such as forthcoming guided walks on the farm - or turn to pages 14 and 15 of this newsletter.

8 Photo Credit: National Trust

DMF Conference

Wednesday 3rd July 2013 The precise location of the conference is yet to be confirmed but it will be making a long overdue return to the beautiful East This is an early heads-up about the Devon Devon coast. Maritime Forum’s forthcoming summer For more information contact Steve Guilbert (DMF Coordinator) conference. After a short hiatus this much on tel 01392 383231 or email [email protected] or anticipated event will be returning on Wednesday see www.devonmaritimeforum.org.uk 3rd July, 2013. Put this date in your diaries! As with previous DMF conferences the day will incorporate a lively combination of formal and informal presentations, workshops, discussions groups, Q & A sessions, news up-dates and plenty of opportunities for catching-up with other Forum members. Speakers will cover a range of pertinent national and local Families Muck in maritime issues with likely topics including the South Marine Plan, Marine Conservation Zones, and Marine Ecosystem Services; there will be news updates from the DMF and the with Hedgelaying VALMER project, a soap-box session, and much more! Thirteenth Regatta – a preview The thirteenth running of the River Exe Regatta Entry forms and full race documentation are available will take place over the weekend 15/16 June 2013, from the Regatta website at www.river-exe-regatta.org.uk. The deadline for entries is noon on Wednesday 12 June 2013. hosted by Exe Sailing Club and sponsored by Exeter College and Fulfords Estate Agents. Mike Rice, Exe Sailing Club The regatta is run jointly by the four sailing clubs on the Exe: Yacht Club, Exe Sailing Club, Lympstone Sailing Club, Photo Credit: Mike Rice and Topsham Sailing Club. Each year one of the clubs takes the lead in organising the regatta and hosts the social events. Around 100 boats are expected for 2013, and there will be racing on both Saturday and Sunday for cruisers, dinghies, Devon Yawls and multihulls. The cruisers, faster dinghies and multihulls will race at sea and there will be a race course in the river for the slower dinghies and junior sailors. There will also be an event for the younger sailors on Saturday, based around Exe Sailing Club and involving the safe transport of some corn, a few chickens and a fox from mainland Exmouth to the wilds of . (Note for conservationists – no real animals or birds will be involved in the execution of this adventure!). On Saturday evening there will be a party at Exe SC with dancing to Jinx, the Club’s own party band. After racing on Sunday there will be the legendary regatta tea and free prize draw with many valuable prizes - but you have to be there in person to collect a prize!

9 Photo Credit: Teignbridge DC

What Price Art?

As a habitat for rare and specialised species However, there has been a notable increase in the numbers of of wildlife, sand dunes are very hard to beat, people collecting driftwood, often on a large scale, with some taking it by the boat load to produce sculptures or to decorate with every part of the dunes and beach their gardens. Visitors are being reminded that they must not having value for wildlife and supporting its remove any driftwood from the Nature Reserve at Dawlish own particular specialists. However, would-be Warren. The price of art for some creatures really is high. artists are taking their toll on one of the most Phil Chambers, Senior Ranger, Dawlish Warren National unexpected and important habitats on Nature Reserve the Exe. Anyone who has watched birds like Turnstones picking through the flotsam and jetsam on the strandline will appreciate that there is a wealth of creatures living in this narrow and constantly changing part of the beach. Some, like Sandhoppers, are easily seen, while others are a far more challenging find, but they are no less important for that. Perhaps surprisingly the driftwood that washes up at Teignbridge District Council’s Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve represents a habitat in its own right, supporting tiny but scarce beetles such as Aegialia arenarius, leading Natural England specialists to highlight the considerable importance of the strandline as a habitat. Indeed Myrmecopora brevipes was first discovered in Britain at Dawlish Warren in 1909. In addition to its role as a habitat for fauna, driftwood plays an important part in the dune building process, by trapping sand and helping create the stability that allows its colonisation by plants like Marram grass. Photo Credit: Teignbridge DC 10 Photo Credit: Teignbridge DC Eco Volunteers Get Jobs

At the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre we training to volunteers. It is nationally recognised that undertake a wide array of projects, the largest and botanical field/survey skills take time to learn and that people most complex of which is the Biodiversity Monitoring are rarely able to find sufficient time to develop such skills whilst Framework. The overall aim of the project is to find working to their degrees, or to afford the training if they move out how Devon’s wildlife is faring – but it is also a from other skill backgrounds. training course….. At DBRC we recognise that our staff and the work they carry The main part of the project, which is funded by Devon out can help in this, by taking trainees through a complete Wildlife Trust and Devon County Council, is the monitoring wildlife survey season and on through the data management of biodiversity on sites that are important enough to be and GIS mapping elements. In 2012/2013 our two volunteer designated as County Wildlife Sites (CWS). Some of these sites trainees Gen & Caroline braved the wet and the cold of the have not been visited for the last 20 years, but DBRC aims Devon ‘summer’, and committed up to four days a week for the to visit up to 100 of them each year. CWS contain some of main part of the year. By January they were starting to apply Devon’s most important habitats and this work helps us to keep for paid roles, feeling confident in their new found abilities. We our habitat inventories up to date. The inventories have been are absolutely delighted that both are now working in ecology used to try and assess the loss of certain key habitats over full time and, like proud parents, DBRC wish them well and are the years. sure they will flourish in their new careers. The project also involves trying to secure the positive This year our new volunteer trainee placements Robert and management of these CWS by offering management advice Alex will enjoy what we all hope will be a sunnier summer. But to landowners and helping them to access funding such as whatever the weather, there will be lots of early morning starts agri-environment grants for carrying out the management to get them out on site in some far flung corner of Devon, needed. During our visits, DBRC staff collect a range of types of studying some of the county’s most wonderful habitats - such information which, when put together with data collected by as wet woodland, lowland mixed deciduous woodland, acid other organisations that visit CWS, enables us to gauge whether grassland or lowland meadow….. the sites are being managed in a way that benefits biodiversity. For more information on County Wildlife Sites or to send us a The project brings important benefits for people as well as wildlife record visit www.dbrc.org.uk wildlife, being an ideal framework for providing long-term Ian Egerton, Devon Biological Records Centre

Photo Credit: DBRC - Gen & Caroline

Photo Credit: DBRC - CWS meadow 11 Cycling & Walking Festival 5th May 2013

Photo Credit: Sustrans

Inspired by the Exe Estuary Trail, towns across walks along the trail to Hackney Marsh Nature Reserve. Teignbridge District are increasingly enthusiastic A commemorative stamping card was provided for the day to create new places to cycle and walk safely in on this new route. their areas. The popularity of the festival has already prompted calls for this The Teign Estuary from up to Newton Abbot is only to become an annual fixture. Teignbridge District Council hosted a short (but hilly!) ride or walk from the Dawlish end of the Exe the event and Devon County Council provided financial support. Estuary Trail. Earlier this year the first two miles of a Teign Estuary Sustrans, CTC, British Cycling and many other people and Trail was constructed by Devon County Council between Newton organisations helped run the festival as a true community event. Abbot and , with a landmark bridge over the River Peter Grainger, Sustrans Teign and Town Quay. Part of the funding came from The Big Lottery with the help of Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity. A grand festival of cycling and walking was held on Sunday 5th May to celebrate the opening of Town Quay Bridge and the new path beside Newton Abbot Racecourse. It’s estimated that more than 600 people attended a fun-filled and for many a very active day at Old Forde House and along the trail. Cycle races on grass for children were organised by British Cycling and everyone was entertained by some trial bike demonstrations. One exciting feature of the day was organised by the CTC (Cyclists Touring Club). This was called Star Rides and consisted of cycle rides led by their members along routes from all corners of Teignbridge to arrive at Newton Abbot at midday (and travel back again in the afternoon). The intention was to attract new cyclists, and two groups of riders went from Exeter down the Exe Estuary to Dawlish and on to Newton Abbot. In all about 100 people took part in these rides. Cycling for women was promoted via Breeze Rides taking interested female cyclists out on rides during the day. Walking was also in the programme and groups of walkers were taken on short

12 Photo Credits: Sustrans Making a splash ‘Baywatch’ style

Students from Exmouth Community College will be taking scaled down version of the full lifeguard qualification from part in a Lifeguard Training Camp over ‘Activities Week’ in July The Royal Lifesaving Society - but will still be hard work! on Exmouth Beach. The training is being run by East Devon Andy from East Devon training said, “We will Training who run lifeguarding courses for would-be Beach teach the students some vital life skills - hopefully Lifeguards or those who have to supervise groups near water. skills that will stay with them throughout their lives. The training may The students will learn what is required of a beach lifeguard by also encourage them to work towards the full Lifeguard qualification swimming 400m in the pool (timed), using rescue tubes and rescue when they are old enough.” boards in the sea, and learning to give first aid. The training is a East Devon Training Tel. 07878 543 413 Estuary businesses reap rewards

The Exe Estuary is well known for its wildlife, its beauty and travelling by train, cruising its waters, exploring its its water sports - but did you also know it has also brought fantastic trails, watching its wildlife, and consuming its produce – business awards for local companies? through all these experiences, people appreciate its value and its importance.” Exmouth Mussels were certified by the Marine Stewardship Council last year for nurturing and harvesting mussels in harmony with Helen the Estuary to ensure stocks will be around for future generations. Stuart Line Cruises 01395 222144 / 01395 279693 Proof that their approach is good for business as well as the Twitter: @stuartlineexm facebook.com/stuartlinecruises environment comes in the shape of their Taste of the West Awards and National Retail Quality Food Awards. Stuart Line Cruises is another local business that is delighted to have received a host of glittering awards. The company was started by Tony Stuart providing trips around the bay, but is now run by Tony’s son Ian, along with wife and son (Philippa and Jake). It has recently been awarded the Lifetime Contribution to Exmouth Business Award, was nominated for the Best Holiday and Leisure Experience, Group Travel Awards and featured on the front page of Coach Tourism. “The Exe Estuary is key to our success”, said Ian, “Without its uniqueness and versatility we would not have been able to develop and improve our business. Its popularity is evident from the huge number of people who come and enjoy it on a daily basis –

13 Local summer events - a (fairly) natural selection!

June Photo Credit: Natasha Greig Sat/Sun 15/16 River Exe Regatta Exmouth Seafront Contact: [email protected]

Sat/Sun 15/16 Edge Race Cup Exmouth Seafront Contact: [email protected] Wed 19 Bat Walk Lower Halsdon Farm, Exmouth SY 000825 9pm – 11pm Booking essential – 01297 680507 or email [email protected] Thu 20 Reptile Ramble, Fire Beacon Hill Local Nature Reserve SY 110906 9am – 11am Booking essential – 01395 517557. Small charge Thu 20 Bug Hunt Delderfield Community Nature Reserve SY 113869 2pm – 4pm No need to book Contact: EDDC Countryside 01395 517557 Thu 27 Glow worms, Bats & Bystock Nature Reserve, Exmouth SY 033873 9pm – 11pm Nightjars, Booking essential – 01392 279244.

July Photo Credit: Gemma Dunn Thu 11 Joy of Exe Cricklepit Mill, Exeter 6.30pm start 6 mile exe-pedition to Old Sludge Beds Reserve and back Exeter Local Group of Devon Wildlife Trust Fri 12 Milling at Cricklepit Cricklepit Mill, Exeter 10am - 12 noon No need to book. Contact 01392 279244 (Devon Wildlife Trust) Sat 13 Oxfam Kayak Paddle Exe Sailing Club, Exmouth Contact: [email protected] Tue 16 Battle of the Paddle Exmouth Seafront opposite Liquid Motion Contact: [email protected] Fri/Sat 19/20 Natural Seaton Festival Celebration of geology & ecology. Outdoor dome with science shows, papier mache dinosaur making, crabbing, local music. Stuart Line Cruises bringing people from Exmouth Contact: Sharon Bruce 01297 625875 or email [email protected] Sat 28 Family Festival Day Woodbury Castle, near Exmouth SY 033873 11am – 3.30pm Wildlife walks, reptile rambles, safari rides, story telling & music. Full details www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk Exmouth & Bystock Devon Wildlife Trust Mon 29 Venn Ottery Devon Wildlife SY 066915. 2pm – 4.30pm Trust Reserve Open Day Guided walk. Booking essential Contact RSPB on 01392 432691

14 July

Tue 30 Bystock Nature Reserve SY 033873. Day of fun & exploration 11am – 4pm Open Day including activities for children. Contact: 01392 279244. Wed 31 Bats at Bystock Exmouth SY 033873. 9pm – 11pm Booking essential – 01392 279244 Wed 31 Explore Lower Halsdon Farm, Exmouth SY 000825. 1pm – 3pm Fun family activities. Booking essential – 01297 680507 or email [email protected] Wed 31 Bugtastic Bug Hunt with Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve 2pm – 3.30pm Rangers For children aged 6 – 11 years. £3.50 per child. Booking essential – 01626 863980

Photo Credit: Natasha Greig Photo Credit: Pat Gubb Photo Credit: EEMP August Fri 9 Milling Cricklepit Mill, Exeter. 10am – 12 noon See historic watermill in action, buy flour. No need to book. Contact: 01392 279244 Sun 11 Jurassic Classic Cycle Ride Raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK. From Rugby Ground, Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth EX8 1DG 3 distances of 50km, 100km and 100 miles through East Devon. Visit www.jurassicclassic.org.uk or email [email protected] Mon to Fri 12 – 16 Wildlife Discovery Days Cricklepit Mill and Woodah Farm, Exeter 8.30am to 3.30pm (for children) Pond dipping, wildlife gardening, bug hunts, river walks etc. each day Cost £150. Booking essential – 01392 279244 Sun 18 Bumbling around Northernhey Gardens, Exeter 2.30pm Northernhey Gardens Bee watching and wildlife gardening. Weather-dependent. Meet at Queen Street entrance to garden. No need to book. Exeter Local Group of Devon Wildlife Trust Wed 21 Rockpool Ramble Exmouth, East end of Exmouth beach on Queens Drive. 1pm – 3pm SY 018797 No need to book. Contact: 01297 680507 or 01395 517557 or email [email protected]

Wed 28 Family Picnic Lower Halsdon Farm, Exmouth SY 000825 12 noon – 2pm Children’s activities included. Booking essential – 01297 680507 or email [email protected]

15 Did you receive this newsletter by post?

If you would like to continue doing so (free of charge), please let us know as soon as you can. (There is no need to contact us if you receive Exe Press by email.) You can tell us in one of 3 ways:

1 Send me an Email - [email protected]. uk - just tell me your name and address and that you would still like to receive Exe Press by post.

2 Ring me (leave a message if I’m away from my desk) on 01392 382236

3 Complete the slip below and send it to me at your earliest convenience at: Midge Kelly Exe Estuary Officer, Exe Estuary Management Partnership C/o Devon County Council AB3 Lucombe House County Hall Topsham Road Exeter. EX2 4QD.

I’d like to continue receiving Exe Press by Post:

My name is

Postal address to which Exe Press should be sent:

Postcode Tel no in case of queries (optional)