The Exeter Daily - countryside

Local environmental charity launches Defend Devon campaign

Sharon Goble — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 14:18:00 +0000

Devon CPRE, the local branch of the countryside charity CPRE, has taken to the road this summer, encouraging people who care about the future of Devon’s countryside to get involved in its latest campaign and become Devon Defenders.

The charity has taken its rallying cry to three agricultural shows in different parts of the county- Dartmoor’s Chagford Show, the Yealmpton Show in the South Hams and the North Devon show at Umberleigh.

Defend Devon is an overarching campaign by the local charity to protect our county’s unique landscapes from greedy developers and bad planning. It will run alongside Devon CPRE’s long-standing Grass not Glass campaign against solar farms on agricultural land, and the charity’s ongoing fight to combat the Rural Housing Crisis by campaigning for the right kind of homes in the right places at prices our children and grandchildren can genuinely afford.

Devon CPRE Chair Steve Crowther says, “We’ve taken our Defend Devon campaign out to county shows this summer because the kind of people who will back us flock to events like these. It’s very clear from the hundreds of people we have talked to on our stand in recent weeks, and the new members we have recruited, that there’s widespread agreement that Devon needs protecting.

“Every year Devon CPRE fights more than 100 unsuitable planning applications to preserve our precious landscapes and farmland. Why? For several reasons. We want our county’s world-leading pasture land used to produce food. It makes sense to put solar panels on rooftops and brownfield sites rather than on productive farmland.

“We also know there’s a need for new homes in Devon, but not just any new builds. What Devon needs are homes our young people can afford to live in, not more luxury boltholes and Airbnbs that put real communities further and further out of the reach of the younger generation.

“If you care about these issues, love Devon’s incredible landscapes and want to protect them from inappropriate development of one kind or another, join Devon CPRE and become a Devon Defender. We need you alongside us to defend Devon and everything that makes it a wonderful place to live.”

Devon CPRE made sure it stood out from the crowd with a bright new branded gazebo and eye-catching pull-up banners to encourage people to become Devon Defenders.

Steve Crowther adds, “An annual subscription to Devon CPRE costs the price of a monthly pint for individuals. 17 pence a day, surely a small price to pay to Defend Devon? We need all the support we can get right now from individuals and from town and parish councils so that we can Defend Devon.”

Devon’s countryside charity begins its 2023 search for young artists

Sharon Goble — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 10:52:35 +0000

The Devon branch of the countryside charity CPRE is looking for budding young artists who can capture the beauty and variety of the county’s natural landscapes, from its wild moorlands to its sheltered river valleys.

Young artists aged 18 and under have until the end of September to submit a painting, drawing, textile, collage, or mixed media artwork of a Devon view to win the coveted title of Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist 2023. The landscape could be a favourite beach or beauty spot, a local park or green space, somewhere visited on a day out or even the artist’s back garden.

There are cash prizes for the winner of each category, and the best entries will go on exhibition at the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton.

Devon CPRE launched the competition two years ago with the support of Exeter-based landscape artist Kath Hadden, who helps choose the prize winners alongside the charity’s Director, Penny Mills. The two judges have consistently been impressed with the immense talent of the county’s young artists. They hope to receive as many original submissions as they have in previous years depicting Devon’s stunning countryside and coastline.

Last year two Dartmoor scenes were chosen as the winning entries: 15-year-old Angelie Pickett’s accomplished painting of Ugborough stood out in the older age group, and a vibrant painting of Belstone River by 11-year-old Sophia Lopez Clarkson won in the younger age group.

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills says, “Kath and I really enjoy looking through all the artwork, and we are always amazed by the talent of the children and teenagers who enter. We love their depictions of Devon’s coast and countryside, and we look forward to seeing what 2023 will bring. No doubt, we will again have our work cut out deciding on this year’s winners.”

The competition is simple to enter, with a cash prize of £100 for the winner of each age category. Full details of how to enter are on the Devon CPRE website. The closing date for submissions is Saturday, 30 September 2023.

www.devoncpre.org.uk

Respect and protect our countryside this Easter

News Desk — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 22:16:05 +0000

Devon & Cornwall Police are reminding people to respect and protect rural communities and businesses this Easter, when exploring the countryside.

With the tourism season traditionally starting over the Easter holidays, Cornwall and Devon’s population can increase by around a third.

Cornwall’s Rural Affairs Officer for Devon & Cornwall Police, PC Chris Collins said: “We’d like to encourage people to take extra care when they explore the countryside this Easter to help protect our environment, our wildlife and our historic landmarks.

“We ask that people observe any rural safety signage they see, respect wildlife and livestock by ensuring dogs are kept on leads and please leave no negative footprint behind. Cornwall is home to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is unique and totals almost a third of Cornwall’s area.

“Sadly during the holiday periods, we can see an increase in incidents such as livestock worrying and anti-social behaviour. Our aim is to reduce these incidents and we will continue to work with partners and communities to identify and aim to prevent unlawful events, to protect our historic land and communities.”

“It is also important that people remember that when they walk across the countryside, all land is owned and any abuse of access has a significant impact on landowners, farmers, livestock, and wildlife and this can often lead to conflict between users.”

We ask that people follow the countryside code to protect our beautiful landscape so that everyone can enjoy it. Below are useful resources and tips to keep our rural communities safe:

Follow the countryside code and be considerate to those living there, working there and enjoying the countryside. View the Countryside Code here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ8ilOD1wh0

Follow local signs and marked routes, leave gates as you find them and do not block access when parking. Keep to marked paths to protect crops and wildlife.

Be cautious when driving on rural roads, give livestock and other vulnerable road users plenty of space and remember to pass slowly and wide. Devon and Cornwall Police - Rural Crime - Rural Road Safety - YouTube

Do not feed livestock, horses or wild animals as it can cause them harm. Sheep are especially vulnerable at this time of year, so always keep dogs under control. On open access land, dogs should be kept on a lead at all times, but release your dog if chased by cattle. Devon and Cornwall Police - Rural Crime - Livestock Worrying - YouTube

Protect the environment and historic features and take litter home. Avoid the risk of wildfire by not lighting fires or BBQ’s. Devon and Cornwall Police - Rural Crime - Heritage Crime - YouTube

PC Collins added “We all have a responsibility to protect our open spaces, I would urge visitors to respect the countryside and be considerate to our rural communities. Enjoy the countryside but keep yourself safe, plan your visit, check the weather, tides, and local conditions. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.”

Round Two of Devon Whisky Club Explores Peat in Scotch Whisky

Azu Spirits — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 14:12:32 +0000

Local spirits tasting specialist, Azu Spirits, and the Cridford Inn, a pub restaurant based in the Teign Valley, launched their first Whisky Club Series on 1st September. A monthly whisky series exploring the histories, culture and production of single malt Scotch, with a new theme and six unique malts to explore every month. The tastings, accompanied with food pairings from the Cridford’s award-winning restaurant, are centred around blind tasting and include challenges and prizes.

Their next tasting event is scheduled for 7pm on Thursday 6th October and explores peat in Scotch whisky. Including peated and unpeated expressions from the Bruichladdich and Springbank distilleries in addition to Glen Moray Peated and Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, guests have the opportunity to ‘challenge’ their palate through the blind tasting and can try to identify which whiskies comes from the same distillery.

The Whisky Club includes a Burns Night Special finale which hosts a raffle to win whisky prizes and local experiences. For £10, guests can become Club Members and receive a Glencairn nosing glass, a personal discount code to Azu’s website and a free 30ml miniature whisky of their choice to take away from each tasting event they attend. Whisky Club Members will also be given a raffle ticket for the prize giveaways at the Burns Night Special.

Each tasting event will be £35 per person, with discounted packages available for guests wanting to attend the whole series.

For those that can’t attend, Azu offers a ‘host-your-own’ option that’s available from their website and provides a complete blind tasting experience for 5-6 people.

Call the Cridford Inn on 01626 853694 to book your place.

Find out more at www.azuspirits.co.uk/whiskyclub

Image

Event Date

Thursday, October 6, 2022 - 7:00pm

Venue

The Cridford Inn

East Devon residents call on Devon CPRE to help them fend off solar on farmland

Sharon Goble — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 00:31:54 +0000

Villagers of Marsh Green in East Devon have made an urgent appeal to the Devon branch of the countryside charity CPRE to help them fight an alarming planning application for a solar farm that they fear would destroy hundreds of acres of productive land and increase the risk of their homes flooding.

The application also includes proposals that residents claim would effectively cut off the nearby hamlet of Westcott for five days a week during the construction phase to give heavy goods vehicles easier access. The developers claim construction traffic will use any of three routes, one of which goes through Westcott, and there will be an on-site traffic liaison officer to control convoys.

The small rural communities of Marsh Green and Westcott are among the many in East Devon, Mid Devon and Torridge currently threatened by large solar developments, each the size of an average farm. The Marsh Green objectors have already erected a huge sign opposite one of the fields under threat. They say they are not anti-solar but will fight East Devon District Council tooth and nail to stop consent from being granted on agricultural land. Not far away, Horton Solar Farm is proposed on land east of Rutton Farm at Whimple, and there are several others in the system.

East Devon District Council recently approved a similar application at Clyst Hydon following a 3-hour debate. Last week, the Planning Committee voted by ten votes to two to allow a solar farm on agricultural land at Peradon Farm, despite 344 objections from the local community, including three parish councils. Two councillors tried to get the decision deferred until the council has a proper solar strategy in place and fully understands the impact of all the current applications. The developer admitted that some letters in support of the solar farm, penned in the names of local people, had actually been written and sent from their office in Sheffield. The developer also admitted that a tab on their website automatically generated a letter to EDDC in support of the application by anyone who clicked it.

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills recently met with objectors at Marsh Green, who showed her the proposed development site spread around their village over several fields south of the A30.

Penny said, “Why aren’t our local planning authorities being proactive, ensuring they have policies in place to protect the countryside? And why aren’t they listening to the commonsense arguments of local people about the need for greater food security? 100% of the proposed development site at Marsh Green is Best and Most Versatile (BMV) farmland. It’s an absolute travesty to cover it in 60,000 glass panels and everything else that comes with it.”

She added, “People here are not anti-solar, but they have real concerns about the increased flood risk to their properties: it’s called Marsh Green for a reason! We all keep trying to make planners see sense, but what can we do to stop the rich out-of-town developers from spoiling Devon if our local planning authorities don't listen?”

Members of the newly-established Marsh Green Valley Protection Group agree. This is what they have to say:

Paul Jefferson, Chair of Marsh Green Valley Protection Group: “This proposal removes the best and most valuable farmland from producing food for the country and that conflicts with Government policy. It increases the flood risk within our rural community and the development site is immediately on the outskirts of a small village, very close to homes. The local highway infrastructure can’t sustain the HGVs and the number of loads needed during construction. We, as a community, are not against small solar farms, and there are others in the area, but the scale, size and location of this scheme are completely inappropriate.”

Ron Forrest, Vice Chair of Rockbeare Parish Council, lives in nearby Westcott: “It’s a beautiful valley with good productive land, and they’re planning to take it out to cover it with solar panels. I am not anti-solar, but this is not the right place for it. And then there are massive access problems. They want to shut down the hamlet of Westcott five days a week from 8 am until the evening for a year or more! How are people supposed to get to work, to the doctor or get their kids to school?”

Julian Turnbull: “My concerns are on planning matters, the increased risk of flooding in Marsh Green and also the Planning Statement submitted by the developers is misleading and incomplete in terms of the construction highways plan.”

Dorf Ruscoe: “We have solar panels on the roof of our house, so I am not against solar. What I am very concerned and angry about is that we have the new town of Cranbrook four or five miles from here. I don’t know how many houses have been built there in recent years and there’s hardly a solar panel on a roof. Developers should be told that any new buildings must be fitted with solar panels. Instead, we are sacrificing good land unnecessarily.”

Tobias Nequest, 18 years: “I’m not against solar, but it should be food first. As it says on our sign ‘Grass not Glass’. With the crisis in Ukraine, we need every field to produce food. I’ve recently joined the Army and I’m not fighting for a field full of grass. I’m fighting for food for my family at home. There are other ways to produce renewable electricity, but we have to eat.”

Cyril Emmett: “Governments never see their folly until it’s too late. What’s the point of saving the planet while starving the people? Food security must be prioritised.”

Devon CPRE is awaiting replies from East Devon’s MP, Simon Jupp, and Minister George Eustice from whom the charity is seeking clarification on a number of points raised by the Peradon Farm decision.

The search begins for Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist 2022

Sharon Goble — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 20:19:35 +0000

Young artists aged 18 and under can now compete for the title of Devon’s Best Young Landscape Artist 2022. Devon CPRE, a South West branch of the countryside charity CPRE, held the competition for the first time last year and was impressed with the quality and quantity of entries from across the county.

The charity is inviting budding young artists to showcase their creativity by capturing Devon’s unique and precious landscapes in the medium of their choice. There are two entry categories - one for teenagers and one for younger children - with cash prizes for the winners.

Exeter-based landscape artist Kath Hadden will again join Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills to judge the entries. They are hoping to receive as many original pictures and paintings as they did in 2021, when the winners were Christopher Moore with his mixed-media seascape and Matilda Baker with her verdant Dartmoor scene.

Anything goes as far as the choice of landscape is concerned - as long as it’s in Devon. It could be a favourite beach or beauty spot, a local park or green space, somewhere visited on a day out or even the artist’s own garden.

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills says, “Kath and I thoroughly enjoyed looking through all the artwork last year. Such a lot of effort had gone into the entries and there was some real talent. We had our work cut out judging so many fantastic paintings and drawings, each capturing a uniquely personal perspective of Devon’s coast and countryside. We’re really looking forward to seeing what this year will bring.”

The competition is simple to enter with cash prizes for each age category. Full details of how to enter can be found on the Devon CPRE website. The deadline for entries is Friday, 30 September 2022.