The latest news as it happens across Barnstaple Torrington & surrounding North Devon areas important updates and local opinions from Barnstaple Find leisure and lifestyle news from Barnstaple All the latest uplifting news from Barnstaple Torrington & surrounding North Devon areas from our local reporters property sales & property of the week in Barnstaple Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism Quilts made by a craft group will go on show to the public in Braunton The exhibition will be at the Parish Hall on Challoners Road on May 25 and 26 Entry is £2 for adults and children can attend for free.  a non-profit organisation dedicated to delivering quilts and blankets crafted by volunteers to children who are sick She forged a career in patchwork  and quilting after leaving her job as an occupational therapist.  The group has expanded into a quilting community of 15 women based in Braunton Their name originated during the group’s early stages when mistakes were made during the quilting process it looks fine” and “no one will notice that from a distance” were used to encourage one another There will be over 50 quilts at the exhibition Quilt sizes will range from smaller wall hangings to king-size bed quilts Liz’s very own ‘Poppy Quilt’ is one of the pieces to be showcased She made it for her City and Guilds qualification.  Creators of the quilts will be at the exhibition to talk to visitors about their craftsmanship.  Chris Swalles has been part of From a Distance for the last decade and is the organiser of the event.  She said: “The inspirations behind the quilts are many Some of these quilts on display will be made as gifts for other people to celebrate moments in their lives e.g The exhibition is about more than just honouring the dedication and beautiful craftsmanship of these women It is about reflecting on the journey the group have been on together and recognising their friendship and experiences " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news The site for Landkey’s new Mazzard Hall which has bene on the village wish list for more than two decades Torrington Mayfair brought plenty of splendid costumes – and sunshine – to the 2025 instalment of the traditional event The rediscovered bell in ‘the cupula’ at Barnstaple Guildhall – thought to date from the early 18th century Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response Police have made several arrests and increased patrols in North Devon after a disturbing video showing a young boy being attacked at a bus stop was widely circulated on social media which reportedly took place at Chivenor bus stop has been shared across local Facebook community pages prompting widespread concern and a public appeal for calm Authorities have confirmed that the incident is now part of an active criminal investigation In a statement posted on the Braunton Police Facebook page officers said they were aware of the footage and urged the public to delete or report any further sharing of the video online They warned that continued circulation could not only distress the victim but also risk prejudicing the outcome of any future court proceedings The statement read: “We are aware of recent social media footage being circulated online and in local Facebook community pages relating to youth related violence in and around the Braunton and Barnstaple areas We are currently investigating this and can confirm that several arrests have been made As this is now a live criminal investigation we are kindly asking that you remove/delete any videos from social media and/or report any that you see This is not only extremely upsetting for the victim to see but could also cause a serious risk of prejudice to the case and any court outcome “If you have any information that can assist our investigation, the reference number is 50250100757. Please contact us on 101 or online here https://orlo.uk/NqIx3 police patrols will be directed in and around the relevant local areas to prevent and deter any further incidents or assaults The response from local officials has been swift, with the Devon County Council member for Braunton Rural also expressing alarm over the incident the councillor said: “Like everyone else who saw the graphic footage of the assault on a young boy at Chivenor bus stop yesterday I have contacted local officers and will be talking to the local Inspector tomorrow Police have not released further details about the number of individuals arrested or the ages of those involved but confirmed that additional patrols will be deployed to deter any further violence in the area Residents with any further information are being urged to come forward and assist the investigation Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Archive image of North Devon Liberal Democrats in buoyant mood The count has now concluded for the 2025 local elections with voters across North Devon and parts of Torridge electing 13 councillors to Devon County Council The Liberal Democrats have won the most seats in the area The Conservatives were elected in two divisions while the Green Party picked up one seat in Ilfracombe The Liberal Democrats have emerged with the most seats in North Devon and Torridge and the Green Party picked up one in Ilfracombe The council is made up of 60 councillors across 58 electoral divisions the following 13 divisions are being contested: Bideford West and Hartland - declared  Holsworthy Rural - declared  Torrington Rural - declared  Barnstaple North - declared  Barnstaple South - declared  Chulmleigh and Landkey - declared  Combe Martin Rural - declared  Fremington Rural - declared  This live feed will be updated throughout the day as results are announced Richard Leonard Alan Hopley (Reform UK) – 1,298 votes (Elected) Paul John Henderson (Conservative Party) – 1,263 votes David John Worden (Liberal Democrats) – 1,142 votes Steven William Hinchliffe (Labour Party) – 215 votes Mark Andrew Barry (Reform UK) – 1,117 votes (Elected) Linda Joan Hellyer (Conservative Party) – 637 votes Rachel Anne Clarke (Liberal Democrats) – 559 votes Cheryl Lavinia Cottle-Hunkin (Liberal Democrats) – 2,228 votes (Elected) Liana Raye Alexander (Reform UK) – 1,222 votes Thomas John Elliott (Conservative Party) – 1,023 votes Deborah Charlotte Darling (Labour and Co-operative Party) – 107 votes Dermot McGeough (Conservative Party) – 1,500 votes (Elected) Kerry Samantha O’Rourke (Liberal Democrats) – 819 votes Emma Louise Robbins (Labour Party) – 200 votes 12.37pm: Combe Martin Rural results in: Andrea Vivienne Davis (Conservative Party) – 1,365 votes (Elected) Kelvin Leigh McKechnie (Reform UK) – 1,038 votes Josh Rutty (Liberal Democrats) – 641 votes Oliver John Leslie Bell (Labour Party) – 123 votes Kyle James Chivers (Green Party) – 313 votes 12.35pm: Fremington Rural results in: Frank Lindsay Biederman (Liberal Democrats) – 2,284 votes (Elected) Gary Lionel Beglin (Conservative Party) – 362 votes Gemma Lorraine Rolstone (Labour Party) – 37 votes Sara Jane Wilson (Green Party) – 1,040 votes - Elected Paul Edward Crabb (Conservative Party) – 728 votes June Williams (Liberal Democrats) – 458 votes 12.25pm: Chulmleigh & Landkey results in Ed Tyldesley (Liberal Democrats) – 1,262 votes - Elected Glyn Lane (Conservative Party) – 811 votes David James Smale (Green Party) – 257 votes Valerie Jean Cann (Labour Party) – 58 votes Faye Marion Davies (Independent) – 28 votes Graham Matthew Bell (Liberal Democrats) – 1,310 votes - Elected Pru Maskell (Conservative Party) – 1,194 votes David Charles John Relph (Green Party) – 185 votes Syed Jusef (Liberal Democrats) – 1,433 votes - Elected Lisa Jayne Mackenzie (Conservative Party) – 324 votes Helen Mary Marini (Labour Party) – 149 votes 12.06pm - Barnstaple South results in The results for Barnstaple South are now in and the successful candidate is Caroline Frances Herringham from the Liberal Democrats Here's the full breakdown of the votes in order: 12.04pm – Holsworthy Rural Results In Holsworthy Rural Lynne Phyllis Rowsell from Reform UK has been elected Lynne Phyllis Rowsell (Reform UK) – 1,753 – Elected Nigel John Evan Kenneally (Liberal Democrats) – 1,665 Stephen Ralph Gibson (Conservative Party) – 1,099 11.40am – Bideford West & Hartland Results The first result of the day has been declared for Bideford West & Hartland where Robin Julian from Reform UK has been elected Robin Julian (Reform UK) – 1,079 – Elected Claire Louise Davey-Potts (Liberal Democrats) – 973 Jeff Wilton-Love (Conservative Party) – 519 It has been a week of celebration for the footballers of Appledore and Braunton Appledore women secured back-to-back titles initially winning the North East Division 1 last season and a superb 11-1 demolition of Budleigh Salterton has now clinched The Sports Lighting Devon Women's Premier Football League The goals were scored by Chelsea Cadle (4) This achievement opens the door for them to compete in the Regen Arable South West Regional Women's Football League next season The congratulations are also extended to Braunton Women who trounced Alphington Ladies 9-1 to confirm they have won the North East Division of the Devon Women’s Football League Anya Burley opened the scoring for Braunton after just a few minutes and Ruby Hern soon extended the lead The Alphas did pull one back but an own goal restored the cushion for Braunton Hern grabbed her second before half-time and still had enough in the tank to complete a hat-trick Burley made it 6-1 and further goals from Bethan Kirby and Hern sealed a special day Braunton U18s have won the Devon County Youth League North Division While the women’s team were overpowering Alphington the U18 boys took on Fremington at the same on a busy day at Camp Lobb Kyle Yeo and an own goal secured a superb 7-2 victory and the title A GPS collar attached to Braunton Burrows cow 256 Cows on Braunton Burrows are now sporting swanky new collars that use state-of-the-art technology to direct the cattle where needed – and away from snacking on rare orchids or wildflowers The GPS collars use the humane NoFence system which creates a ‘virtual fence’ the animals learn to stay away from – emitting a warning note and then if necessary a mild electric pulse that turns them away from the boundary It quickly trains cattle to stay away from certain areas and the virtual boundary can bet set up on a mobile device app and transmitted to the collars keeping the cows in the right areas and also enabling the farmer to track their location at all times The new neck accessories will play a role not just in the future of cattle management on the Burrows but also how the site works in terms of natural land management The collars have been jointly funded by the Christie Estate which owns the Burrows and the North Devon Coast National Landscape Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme (FiPL) funding via DEFRA brings all his experience of working with his family’s Woolacombe based herd which has been fitted with GPS collars since 2021 the Burrows Facebook page will follow the journey as Nick and his team train the cows the cows are just getting used to having the collars on with the virtual boundary mirroring the existing fence line During this time it is important the cows are not disturbed by walkers and dogs especially as the Burrows herd will be calving through April and May There are no plans to remove existing fencing on the Burrows but there are several benefits of using GPS collars within the 1,000 hectare site The new collars will allow better monitoring of cow movements which is a plus for ensuring they are safe and well It also means grazing areas within the zones can be better targeted to keep scrub growth down it will also be possible to prevent the cows munching on patches of wildflowers national landscapes officer said: “The FiPL grant programme is a great opportunity for landowners and farmers within the National Landscape to work creatively to improve their land for nature enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage in the area “The programme is currently open for applications and we would love to hear from those we haven’t yet worked with.” For more information about North Devon programme FiPL, visit our www.northdevoncoast-nl.org.uk/farming-protected-landscapes or email joe.newberry@devon.gov.uk a hub for community engagement and creativity Braunton Library has been named the South-West winner of Library of the Year putting it in the running for the national Library of the Year title at The British Book Awards 2025 The library was one of four finalists in the South-West region alongside Bideford and Exeter Libraries.  the charity that operates libraries across Devon and Torbay also known as ‘The Nibbies,’ are organised by The Bookseller magazine to celebrate the best in books Braunton Library has become a key part of the local community offering regular events such as children’s Lego Club and groups for adults like Knit and Natter and Creative Writing.  With 1,589 members and around 24,500 visits a year attracting roughly 3,000 attendees annually One notable project was ‘The Gatherers,’ which connected people to nature through flower collecting.  The initiative invited residents to gather flowers from their gardens celebrating the link between nature and mental health.  The project also involved Afghan families resettled in Braunton encouraging them to take part in wellbeing walks and flower collecting.  The flowers were then pressed into bookmarks and distributed to library visitors The library’s project was also selected by the European Cultural Foundation as one of 50 initiatives to partner with The Europe Challenge 2024 a programme supported by the European Cultural Foundation and Arts Council England said: “The staff at Braunton Library are absolutely thrilled to have won the South-West Library of the Year an exciting project which aimed to connect people with nature by using pressed flowers to make beautiful bookmarks which were then distributed for free to our users We worked alongside a group of resettled Afghan women which proved to be a valuable relationship on both sides breaking down language and cultural barriers The project was part of a wider European initiative working alongside local libraries Huge thanks to the individuals and organisations who organised and supported the project especially Amy Shelton from Honeyscribe the Pickwell Foundation and the Braunton Countryside Centre Special mention must go to our former Library Supervisor Sarah Bushell who worked so hard to make the project such a success.” The ‘The Gatherers’ project received funding from Arts Council England (ACE) which has identified North Devon as one of its Priority Places for cultural engagement The overall winner of Library of the Year will be announced at The British Book Awards on May 12 Sharon and Jon Wensley (right) are passing on the baton as Kieran Sinclair and Harriet Buttery become the new owners of the long-established Braunton newsagents It will be the end of an era this week as a popular Braunton newsagents changes hands after four decades with the baton passing on to a new generation Jon and Sharon Wensley of J & S Wensley Newsagents on the green in Caen Street are retiring on Saturday (March 29) after 41 years and the business is being taken on by young local couple Kieran Sinclair and Harriet Buttery ‘Wensley’s’ has remained largely unchanged since Sharon and Jon took on the business in 1983 and it is still bustling Harriet and Kieran do not intend to change the traditional newsagent but will be renaming it as The Green Braunton and plan to add a few extra products and snacks for customers Kieran told the Gazette: “We are really looking forward to taking it on and it’s a staple of village life – it’s important for the community to keep newsagents going because they are so few and far between nowadays “We will keep it as a newsagents and extend it in certain ways by providing fresh baked goods bean to cup coffees and healthy alternative snacks “Everyone we have mentioned it to has been over the moon about it We are looking forward to getting to know everyone and the social aspect of it too.” The couple have taken on a near 100-year leasehold on the building which is owned by Braunton Parish Council and will be moving into the flat above the shop Harriet said: “I think because we are both still young and with such a long lease there’s a possibility we can have it for a lifetime and be the next generation to run the newsagents “A lot of people see this central area on the green as a part of the community so we are really excited to be part of that.” but they are looking forward to enjoying their retirement Jon had worked at the then Squires newsagents since 1983 and even before starting his working life as a paperboy there more than 50 years ago He and Sharon took over the business in 1989 In 1983 there was still a railway kiosk outside one of the few visible remains of the branch line that went through the centre of Braunton before it closed in 1970 The newsagent building is the former Station Master’s House Jon graduated from paperboy to serving in the kiosk and helping out around the newsagent before eventually becoming proprietor Sharon and Jon married in 1984 and their two sons also began their working lives as paperboys and helping out around the business before going on to forge their own careers Wensley’s has a longstanding reputation for being a part of the community and supporting local charities or events and the Wensleys hope the community will support Harriet and Kieran too when they take over Jon said: “We have tried to support the community where we can there has been collection boxes around and we have sponsored events More than £5,000 has been collected in the North Devon Hospice pot on the counter since we started but we have supported a variety of local charities “We have had a good time and made many friends and it will be sad to see the back of that.” we see the same people day in and day out and they become friends “You do keep an eye out for the vulnerable people and we will definitely miss seeing everybody in the mornings.” But the couple say they will definitely not miss the 4.30am starts and are looking forward to enjoying the many holidays they have been unable to take because the shop took so much of their time Sharon said: “We thank all our customers over the years and we wish Harriet and Kieran every success It’s nice to see a young local couple taking on the newsagents for the next generation.” as featured in their recent Ofsted inspection report Braunton Academy is celebrating after receiving a glowing report from Ofsted following a two-day inspection held on 4 and 5 March 2025.  The school has successfully maintained its 'Good' rating across all areas with the inspectors recognising the many strengths of the institution expressed her pride in the report's findings saying: “Braunton Academy is a very special place of learning and we are all very proud of this recognition of what our school community stands for The report is testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone within our community students and families to ensure excellent educational life chances for our students We have a very strong culture of high expectations and standards but these are built on positive relationships and an inclusive ethos that makes us the great school we are As Principal I am particularly pleased that our students had an opportunity to shine and showcase the way that the Academy operates for them every single day allowing them to live out our school values.” The Ofsted report noted that students “value the community at Braunton Academy,” with pupils feeling “safe It praised the school’s high expectations for students’ academic highlighting that “pupils aspire to achieve well.” The quality of the Academy’s curriculum also received recognition with the report noting that “leaders’ vision for the continued development of the quality of education is shared by staff,” and that teachers “work hard to ensure that pupils study a well-designed curriculum enabling pupils to build progressively on their prior knowledge.” The report also praised the broad range of extracurricular opportunities offered to students and commended the school’s commitment to ensuring a happy and effective learning environment.  They demonstrate kindness and empathy towards each other,” the report stated One area for further development highlighted in the report was the continued enhancement of SEND provision a focus that the school has already been actively working on for the past year Inspectors acknowledged the positive impact of the steps the school has taken to address this added: “It is great that inspectors have been able to see the impact of the work that we are all doing to ensure that the Academy continues to go from strength to strength It is a great honour and privilege for us to work and lead such a fantastic learning community where so many people actively participate in promoting the education and wellbeing of our community.” Braunton Academy is currently finalising its intake for September 2025 and still has places available Parents of Year 6 students interested in enrolling are encouraged to contact the school on 01271 812221 for more information The car park at Saunton Sands and dunes of Braunton Burrows Councillors have been recommended to approve a controversial plan to site cables for an offshore windfarm through a protected environment Almost 2,000 objections have been received and North Devon Council’s planning committee will meet on Wednesday 7 May to decide the fate of the onshore infrastructure plan is expected to pave the way for future floating offshore wind developments in the Celtic Sea The cable route for the five to eight turbines expected to generate enough electricity to power 135,000 homes will make landfall on the beach at Saunton Sands and extend eight kilometres under Saunton Golf Course and the Taw Estuary connecting to the national grid at East Yelland The area has a plethora of designations and protected landscapes and includes Braunton Burrows a special area of conservation and UNESCO biosphere reserve known for its rich habitat for birds Campaigners have mounted a legal challenge to try and stop the development which they say will cause significant harm to the environment and traffic and construction work will clog up Braunton village and the only beach car park for up to two years White Cross is a project between Flotation Energy and Cobra who secured development rights from The Crown Estate for the windfarm in 2021 They submitted the application for the onshore part of the scheme in August 2023 and it’s been the subject of three public consultations and several requests for more information from planning officers Save Our Sands and community group Love Braunton have spearheaded the protest against the scheme which has also received objections from conservation groups like the Devon Wildlife Trust and Braunton Parish Council Initial objections from the Environment Agency on flooding grounds have been withdrawn due to mitigation measures suggested by the developers and Natural England says it is happy that attempts have been made to avoid any negative impact on the wintering bird population The applicants say they intend to programme as much of the work as possible outside of the key tourist season from mid-July to the end of August to limit the impact on the beach car park Officers have recommended approval of the application They conclude in their report to the planning committee that “in terms of the overall planning balance the weight to be attributed to the benefits associated with renewable and low carbon energy generation and the proposal’s contribution to a net zero future can be considered to outweigh the largely short term environmental impacts that would arise during the construction phase” The plan received 1,865 objections and 41 comments in support the developers will be asked to sign a legal agreement to provide a biodiversity net gain plan a contribution for the provision of an enhanced bus service to ensure ongoing visitor access to Saunton Sands during the construction phase and the setting up of a community liaison group and officer there will be six speakers objecting to the plan and six supporting which is the maximum allowance for planning committee items Councillors will then make a decision after a debate he uncovered pieces of a WW2 tank have been restored and put on public display The remains of a World War II Cromwell tank found at the Braunton Burrows Training Area in North Devon have been carefully restored after a collaborative effort involving local museums and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).  This significant project began in 2022 when the tank’s fragments were discovered during excavation work the tank stands proudly as a reminder of the region’s military heritage The tank’s restoration is part of the broader Dynamic Dunescapes project which has been running since 2021 to enhance biodiversity in Braunton’s sand dunes.  Among the many artefacts unearthed at the site by the 29 Explosive Ordnance Clearance (EOC) Group the tank's remains were one of the most significant finds.  member of Friends of the Assault Training Centre and attendees of Devon D-Day at the unveiling once used by American forces preparing for the D-Day landings was believed to be a hard target for rocket training in the area To bring this piece of history back to life including Tim Isaac from Cobbaton Combat Collection and Richard Bass Chairman of the Friends of the Assault Training Centre using a skeleton frame to reassemble the recovered tank parts including £4,000 from North Devon Coast National Landscape along with contributions from local groups the painstaking restoration finally came to fruition in June 2023.  the tank sits in the northeast corner of Area C marking both a tribute to the men who trained for D-Day and a symbol of the area’s rich wartime legacy Deputy Training Safety Officer for Braunton Burrows Training Area said: “Finding the remains of this tank was an unexpected yet exciting development in the Dynamic Dunescapes project The restored tank reminds us of  the important part Braunton Burrows played during the D-Day preparations and is a symbol of our heritage as well as DIO’s commitment to preserving military history.   “It’s a fantastic feeling knowing that we have completed the project after many months of working closely with various partners and now we can share our discovery with the public and honour the brave individuals who served during WW2.”  ABOVE: The first wheel of the tank to be discovered The newly restored tank now stands as a testament to both Braunton Burrows’ role in World War II and the dedication of the many volunteers and organisations who contributed to its restoration.  Visitors can view the tank in Area C by locating it through the What3Words address: teaspoons.obstruction.motivator For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 22:53 (UTC+1) on Mon 5 May 2025 High pressure brings further fine and settled weather this week Patchy cloud will clear this evening leaving some late sunshine to end to the day though a few showers may graze the south coast Feeling chilly beneath clear skies with a patchy frost possible in rural spots Another dry and settled day with plenty of sunny spells Cloud spilling from the east by the evening Widely dry and settled with high pressure dominating this week Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average Glory for Braunton in derby final with Bradworthy On a warm night at the County FA headquarters in Newton Abbot Braunton emerged victorious from a Devon Women’s Senior Cup Final to make all football fans in North Devon extremely proud as both teams played with incredible passion and skill Braunton eventually emerging triumphant with a 4-1 win Travelling home from Newton Abbot on a boisterous bus journey Braunton Women FC manager Scott Maynard said: “The game was stressful as a manager but these players know what they are doing I don’t think they realise how big this is As a football club and for female football in North Devon it shows how the game has grown and escalated into what we’ve got now.” Ruby Hern set the early trend for Braunton latching on to a floated angle ball to clip a neat finish beyond the advancing Bradworthy goalkeeper and captain Sam Pearcy gave her side some comfort with a lofted finish that nestled in the top corner Inspired by the tireless performance of Katherine Skelton Bradworthy struck back with a goal from Olivia Sellers but Braunton re-established control of the game with a dazzling run and lofted finish from Hern Victory was then sealed by Player of the Match Olivia Hopson shifting the ball on to her right foot and steering a wonderful finish into the far corner from 20 yards It was a goal befitting the final and a great day for Braunton FC While Bradworthy were on the wrong end of this particular encounter the quality on show and immense support from the crowd was a credit to both football clubs Picture Courtesy Of Braunton Neighbourhood Plan Group The organisation that protects the country’s historic places is opposing plans to build affordable homes in a North Devon village because they would be on nationally important land Braunton Community Land Trust (CLT) is asking for “in principle” permission for homes But the area is part of the Braunton Great Field one of only two surviving medieval open field systems in England still in use and Historic England wants the trust to build elsewhere The Braunton group says it has carried out an extensive search of sites in the village but favours this one where it is in negotiations with the landowner and which is close to local amenities It is outside the village boundary but is classified as a ‘rural exception site.’ Ninety households are waiting for homes in Braunton The proposed homes would be owned by the trust which would work with a local housing provider to rent them to local families these homes would never be sold on the open market Braunton Parish Council is in favour of the plans and 39 people have written to the council in support North Devon Council officers recommend the application be refused because of strong objections from Historic England which said: “The importance of preserving this nationally important site cannot be overstated.” It continued: “Braunton Great Field is an extremely rare survival of a once predominant agricultural practice whereby the farmers of a medieval village worked a number of their own allocated strips of land together and each farmer would have strips of land alongside their neighbours in such a way that all shared good and bad soil “Open field systems provide information and understanding of medieval and post-medieval landholding and the growth of the landowning classes and Historic England says while it understands the need for affordable homes the proposal would cut off the outer reaches of the open field system The Great Field should be considered a heritage asset of equal significance to scheduled monuments The council’s planning committee has deferred the application for a site visit and to consider other possible locations for the homes Two other sites are in the initial stages of discussion but are not owned by the CLT The land at Saunton Road was submitted following a public consultation The CLT believes it is “different” from the rest of the Great Field designation A housing enabling officer said: “Braunton suffers acutely from the problem of holiday lets creating a huge lack of affordable properties for local people so much so that Braunton has declared a housing crisis this proposal will provide 100% of the dwellings as social rent and go some way to addressing the massive need for affordable housing in the parish.” Enjoy a mystery 80-mile trip around North Devon with the Charity Car Tour for Children’s Hospice South West on Sunday Drivers are invited to discover hidden North Devon with a Charity Car Tour this May taking in scenic byways and back roads while raising money for Children’s Hospice South West Cars of all types and ages are welcome and will set off from the Williams Arms in Braunton on Sunday May 11 at 10am following an 8.30am snack for an 80-mile mystery tour around some of the region’s less well-known roads Above: Vehicles and drivers will set off from the Williams Arms in Braunton on Sunday It is run by the Rotary Club of Braunton Caen which has been staging the event for the past 12 years for various local charities The day starts with a breakfast roll and hot drink for driver and navigator Around 80 miles later the run ends somewhere in North Devon with a cream tea for them both A detailed route and rally plaque are provided along with quiz questions about things that can be seen along the way A prize is given to the car with the most correct answers and a raffle will be drawn at the end to raise more funds for the Children’s Hospice Drivers and navigators can expect plenty of camaraderie and laughs along the way plus the opportunity to discover some country roads and hidden areas of North Devon they have never seen before While some of the route will be ‘off the beaten track’ it is not off-road and will suit any type of car – but organisers do ask participants to arrive at the start with a full tank of fuel or fully charged battery Cream teas will be provided at the finish line from 3pm at a North Devon location revealed on the day The prize giving and raffle are at approximately 3.45 to 4pm Places must be booked in advance and numbers are limited, so to take part, please visit https://brauntoncaenrotary.co.uk/car-tour and book your place now The first social the group had before their first ever run on Saturday so a few of the group members could meet and get to know each other and take those nerves away A woman from Braunton has launched a new female running community focused on enjoyment rather than competition.  created the group to provide a supportive space for women to run together without feeling pressured by race times or pace who has openly shared her struggles with mental health found running to be a lifeline during tough times “Running helped me massively,” she explained “I ran for myself for a few months before signing up to my first 5km race I continued to run regularly until I gained the confidence to enter my first half marathon in April 2024 this was by far one of the hardest challenges I have ever faced she noticed an overwhelming pressure from the online running community to compete with fast times.  I would see other runners posting their individual progress online at fast paces that I was unable to compete with This caused an increasing amount of pressure that I unknowingly applied on myself which wasn’t what I needed as my goal was to enjoy myself and cross the finish line no matter the time,” she added Mellissa decided to form Happy Feet Runners where women of all ages and abilities can focus on the joy of running rather than their speed She said: “We don’t put pressure on ourselves by focusing on the timings and instead we just focus on the enjoyment that running brings to our community The aim is to provide a safe and comfortable space where females can enjoy running whether they are a seasoned runner or are just starting out there is a space for all ages and abilities.” Happy Feet Runners meets every Saturday morning at different locations around North Devon offering participants a chance to explore new routes and support local businesses with a post-run treat at a nearby café.  so women from all areas can get involved and enjoy the community spirit,” Mellissa said Women interested in joining the community can find all the details on their social media pages: Facebook – Happy Feet Runners Braunton Library has been crowned South-West England’s Library of the Year in The British Book Awards 2025 The community-focused library now goes on to compete for the national title in May at the prestigious ceremony in London run by The Bookseller magazine and nicknamed ‘The Nibbies’ recognise excellence across the literary world from authors to those helping bring books to readers Karen Napier, chief executive of The Reading Agency said: “This year’s applications for Library of the Year have been exceptional showcasing the ingenuity and innovation that libraries harness every day to reach new audiences the regional and country winners stood out for their creativity and impact to careful and targeted initiatives like a book club for adults with Down syndrome these winners exemplify the power of libraries to engage communities in meaningful ways.” Braunton Library’s busy calendar includes regular groups such as the Saturday Lego club adult reading groups and special craft activities during the school holidays The library receives about 24,500 visits annually from its 1,589 members The standout feature that secured Braunton’s regional win was its involvement in The Gatherers —a project celebrating the natural world and its role in mental health and community wellbeing Residents were encouraged to collect flowers from gardens with participants later pressing the blooms into bookmarks using old library books One group invited to take part included 18 Afghan families who had relocated to Braunton via the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy after working with British Forces. The families, now living at the former RAF Chivenor base, joined local residents on wellbeing walks organised by Live Well Braunton gathering flowers together and later transforming them into floral bookmarks These were discreetly tucked into books as unexpected gifts for borrowers The library’s location near the Braunton Burrows—an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—further enriched the project’s connection with nature The project was recognised by the European Cultural Foundation and selected as one of 50 initiatives from 24 countries for The Europe Challenge 2024 The programme connects libraries and communities across the continent to tackle social isolation Special mention must go to our former library supervisor Sarah Bushell who worked so hard to make the project such a success.” The British Book Awards will take place at Grosvenor House in London on Monday when the overall Library of the Year winner will be announced are taking part in Bowls’ Big Weekend offering free taster sessions to introduce newcomers to the sport Bowls’ Big Weekend returns for its fifth year with over 800 clubs across the UK taking part aims to introduce newcomers to the sport of bowls by offering free taster sessions suitable for all ages and abilities two clubs will be hosting events as part of the nationwide initiative.  Braunton Bowls Club will offer a session on Monday Holsworthy Bowls Club will hold its own event on Saturday Organised by Bowls England in partnership with Aviva Bowls’ Big Weekend aims to attract 20,000 new participants this year with more than 60,000 individuals having registered with local clubs to try the sport a four-time Commonwealth Medallist and Bowls England Board Member highlighted the appeal of the sport: “Bowls has so much to offer as a sport and it is something that everyone can get involved in Bowls’ Big Weekend provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the sport and introduce it to a wider audience People should definitely come down to their local clubs and give bowls a go.” said: “We are extremely proud to be delivering our fifth Bowls’ Big Weekend The event has grown year on year thanks to the dedication of bowls clubs across the country Bowls is a sport for all ages and abilities and we encourage everyone to come and try it Participants will be assured of a warm welcome and they’ll enjoy the simple challenge of getting that bowl close to the Jack.” The event also aims to highlight bowls as an accessible sport allowing participants to stay physically active.  Bowls’ Big Weekend has partnered with Cancer Research UK to raise awareness of the benefits of bowls for those undergoing cancer treatment providing a crucial social outlet for many individuals The map showing the 3km controlled zone for captive birds The Government has announced that a case of bird flu have been reported in North Devon with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 detected in captive birds at a premises a 3km controlled zone for captive birds (monitoring) has been established around the affected premises.  The report also confirmed that the birds at the site will be humanely culled North Devon is not alone in this detection The Government has reported an increase in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) among both kept poultry and wild birds across multiple areas of Great Britain the Government extended the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) after detections in poultry and captive birds across regions such as the East Riding of Yorkshire The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer declared an AIPZ to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks in these areas.  it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers within the zone to implement strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks is an infectious viral disease that primarily affects birds but can sometimes spread to other animals or humans.  The most common strain found in recent outbreaks is H5N1 which is highly contagious among birds.  Efforts to control bird flu outbreaks typically involve culling affected birds and imposing restrictions on poultry movement to prevent the disease from spreading further Bovey Tracey defeat Braunton in great match The latest news as it happens in Dartmoor covering Okehampton important updates and local opinions from across Okehampton Cycling and more local Dartmoor Sports News property sales & property of the week including Okehampton house prices and opinions on Dartmoor's property market including Okehampton Local area spotlights & features across Dartmoor Dartmoor national park is 368 miles of beautiful English countryside find out what green issues are affecting Dartmoor here at The Moorlander Get local news & council updates for across Dartmoor including Okehampton Showcasing and celebrating the incredible independent businesses of Dartmoor Ashburton & Surrounding areas from the local community & our reporters Get your local Dartmoor traffic & travel reports The future of youth football in Devon is clearly in safe hands as the U18s from Bovey Tracey and Braunton served up a genuine classic in the County Cup Final at Coach Road Bovey skipper Harley Collier headed his side in front on just two minutes and the Moorlander soon doubled that advantage who has impressed for the Bovey senior team Braunton halved the deficit in a blistering start to the game but further goals from George Richardson and Collier gave Bovey a comfortable 4-1 lead at the interval In a superb response from the North Devon youngsters Braunton scored twice without answer to set up an incredible finish to the game Bovey had to withstand heavy pressure before a goal on the counter from George Bills secured a 5-3 win for the Moorland youngsters captured at the Bath Festival by Steven Haywood is set to perform at the Exeter Comedy Festival after winning the US Eddie-Folio award for best comedy A winning design by 12-year-old Juniper Holliday featured in the 2025 Dartmoor Youth Art Competition Catherine Leeves with the real-life ‘Mischievous Mabel’ the border terrier who inspired her debut children’s book series Reach out for help: How drug and alcohol recovery services could work for you or a loved one North Devon Council has announced the revocation of the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for Braunton marking a significant milestone in the district's ongoing efforts to improve air quality the only AQMA within the North Devon Council area has seen consistent improvements in air quality over the past five years This decision comes after the pollution levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) have remained more than 10% below the exceedance level for five consecutive years This positive trend is attributed to a reduction in transport emissions driven by advancements in vehicle emissions technology and the increasing adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles While the council recognises that air pollution continues to be a concern particularly with particulates from diesel vehicles this achievement demonstrates a significant step forward North Devon Council remains steadfast in its commitment to further improving air quality and promoting sustainability throughout the district Lead for Environmental Protection at North Devon Council Darren Hale said: "Revoking the AQMA in Braunton is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our community and partners we recognise that our journey towards better air quality and sustainability continues We look forward to working closely with our residents and businesses to build on this success." the council is developing a new district-wide Air Quality Strategy This initiative aims to address broader pollution concerns and will involve active engagement with residents and businesses to ensure a collaborative approach to maintaining and enhancing air quality standards in North Devon.  Residents can stay up-to-date with council news by visiting their website and following their Facebook page. Credit: PAA case of bird flu has been confirmed near Braunton in North Devon All birds at the affected premises are being culled Anyone who has birds within three kilometres of the site has been asked to keep them inside put in place by the Department for Environment It comes after strict bird flu restrictions were put in place on Saturday 25 January for the whole of England and Scotland following an increase in cases The avian influenza virus is currently circulating in wild birds in the UK and their risk to poultry and other captive birds is currently assessed as being very high Due to your incredible support we have reached our target early No more donations are needed at this time.  The legal legal team are now engaged.  Further updates will be available on Love B… The application is due to be heard by North Devon Council Planning Committee on the 7th May 2025 At this critical point we need to send them a very clear warning about the significant environmental issues that this application raises This will be done through a letter from our legal team backed up by experts who are investigating the principal planning material issues that need to be considered at this stage – short and long term impacts of the proposed construction activities on the landscape Our community is in favour of renewable energy but not at the expense of our local landscape and natural habitats which are recognised by both its national and international designations: UNESCO Biosphere Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and World Surfing Reserve This landscape and its irreplaceable habitats underpin our local economy which is heavily dependent on year round use for outdoor activity by both residents and visitors to the area Qualified ecologists have expressed grave concerns about the potential harm that will be done by the construction activity The applicant’s own documentation evidences a serious degree of harm to the landscape and ecology They have minimised this by looking at each aspect separately without considering the interrelationships and the cumulative effects.  The applicant has consistently refused to provide any detailed mitigation stating that it will be provided post consent Our legal team has raised concerns that this will be too late We are seeking support from both residents and visitors and ask you to draw attention to this fund raising activity with your friends and family who love the area Please help us to ensure that all relevant environmental matters are properly examined and addressed before the application is determined Thank you so much for helping us Save Our Sands Further updates will be available on Love Braunton and Save Our Sands social media There are no public comments on this case page Roads leading into Georgeham are closed while fire fighters tackle two burning thatched roofs in the village A total of 13 fire crews are dealing with burning thatched roofs on two houses in the centre of Georgeham this afternoon (Monday) Braunton Police said all roads leading into the village are closed while the incident is being dealt with and people living nearby have been urged to keep their doors and windows closed due to the amount of smoke Braunton Fire Station posted on Facebook: “We are dealing with a fire involving two semi-detached thatched properties in Georgeham We have 12 fire crews at the scene as both roofs are alight.” The police said the roads into the village are likely to be closed for some time A statement from the fire service at 2.50pm said: "The fire is involving two properties the full length of the roof is involved in fire. We have been carrying out salvage to take property from inside away from the building We are fighting the fire with water jets and using an aerial ladder platform." Check back for more updates as we have them If you have any information from the scene or any pictures, please email us at newsdesk@northdevongazette.co.uk or post on our Facebook page A decision on a controversial plan to lay cables for a floating windfarm next to a world-renowned North Devon surfing beach and within a host of protected landscapes will not be made until the new year Additional survey work about ecology and drainage for the White Cross proposal needs to be submitted by developers Cobra and Flotation Energy and consulted on before the plan can be discussed The windfarm cabling will make landfall at Saunton Sands beach part of the North Devon World Surfing Reserve then run underground beneath a golf course before going under the Taw Estuary and connecting to the grid at East Yelland More than 1,000 people and Braunton Parish Council have opposed the onshore infrastructure element of the 100MW windfarm 32 miles off the  coast since it was submitted last year The cabling work is expected to take two years with a work hub in Saunton Sands’ beach car park local people fear as many as 90 HGVs a day using narrow roads through Braunton during the construction would have a devastating effect on tourism Concerns have raised by Natural England and conservation groups about the impact on wildlife The Environment Agency has opposed the plans on flooding grounds It is part of the North Devon National Landscape; the Taw-Torridge Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI and Braunton Burrows is the backdrop to Saunton Sands a Special Area of Conversation (SAC) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and 33 species of butterflies have been recorded An extension was granted by the local authority for more information about the environmental impact of the plans with a decision deadline expriring at the beginning of this month Planning officers met with the applicants last week to discuss progress of the application. Councillors are expected to make a decision on it in the new year North Devon councillor for Braunton East Graham Bell (Lib Dem) said the application had dragged on leaving the village’s residents “in limbo and frustrated” over the lack of clarity on how issues raised by the parish council would be addressed “It is vital that North Devon’s unique biosphere and surf reserve are not sacrificed in the rush to complete this test array It is vital that any plans place the safety of the biosphere as an absolute priority The biosphere isn’t simply a ‘nice place’ it is a vital and unique piece of our natural environment,” he said The rights for the White Cross development were secured from the Crown Estate in 2021 as a test and demonstration site Eight turbines will generate enough energy to power 135,000 homes Developers said on the more environmentally sensitive parts of the route it will use trenchless drilling techniques so wildlife and habitats are not disturbed It says an ‘ecological clerk of works’ will be on site to ensure environmental management plans are followed A steam train wound its way through Cumbria yesterday The 34046 Braunton is a West Country Class express passenger engine designed by Oliver Bulleid which alongside the Battle of Britain Class locomotives were collectively known as Bulleid Light Pacifics was being run by Saphos Trains and was due to arrive in Carlisle at 12.30pm on the West Coast Main Line Here are some of the photos you’ve sent to us: It departed Carlisle at 3.30pm and headed down the Coastal Line to its ultimate destination of Leeds We’d love to see your videos and pictures if you manage to spot it – email admin@cumbriacrack.com Here’s your photos and video’s from last week’s steam train – the Tangmere Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox *We hate spam as much as you do. Privacy Statement Phone: 01768 862313Email: admin@cumbriacrack.com Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited No: 12475190VAT registration number: 343486488 © 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme Two stucents from Holsworthy Community College North Devon secondary schools are celebrating their GCSE results today (August 22) despite a national decline in pass rates.  the percentage of students achieving grades 4/C and above has fallen for the third consecutive year to 67.6 per cent several North Devon schools have reported strong performances Year 11 students at Braunton Academy are celebrating a highly successful set of results marking a significant accomplishment amid the return to pre-COVID grading standards.  The school is proud of the students' hard work and perseverance over the past five years The Ilfracombe Academy has recorded its best-ever set of GCSE results with notable improvements in core subjects.  The percentage of students passing both English and Maths at grade 4 or higher rose from 59 per cent in 2023 to 78 per cent in 2024.  those achieving grade 5 or higher in these subjects increased from 38 per cent to 59 per cent reflecting a significant leap in academic performance The Park Community School also saw substantial improvements with 48 per cent of students achieving grades 9-5 in English and Maths with two students achieving a clean sweep of all grade 9s.  The school looks forward to welcoming students back for award presentations and as part of its alumni network Atlantic Academy students and staff are celebrating a strong year of GCSE results.  The students have worked diligently over the past two years and their efforts have paid off with many now looking forward to progressing to further education courses and apprenticeships.  the Academy has seen its students achieve impressive results that reflect their hard work and the school’s supportive environment Bideford College is marking a successful year with significant improvements in pass rates The number of students achieving grades 4 and 5 in these subjects also saw a notable increase with the school excited to see students embark on the next stages of their education West Buckland School’s Year 11 students are celebrating impressive results with nearly half of all grades achieved being between 9 and 7.  The school attributes this success to its supportive environment and comprehensive curriculum which have helped students overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic Phillip Stapleton said: “Starting a new school is tough but for these pupils the world shut down due to Covid after just one term they have grown in positivity and resilience to become a wonderful group of young people “I am delighted for them all and wish to thank the staff for their efforts over those years but also the parents Most of all to the pupils whose hard work has been rewarded today.” Shebbear College students exceeded expectations with their GCSE results.  Among the standout performances was Joe Pennington Head Charlie Jenkins praised the hard work and dedication of all students noting the strong value-added progress they made from their starting points Kingsley School is celebrating exceptional GCSE results with a significant improvement in average grades over the past three years with 78 per cent of students achieving a grade 9 and 89 per cent securing grades 7-9 highlighting the school’s commitment to academic excellence which is part of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust are celebrating today after receiving their GCSE results as they get ready to take their next steps in their educational journey Staff and students have come together to mark the achievements of all the students who have worked exceptionally hard over the last 5 years to secure these grades They are an improvement on the previous year’s results said: “Our latest cohort of students are an absolute credit to our school and trust I am immensely proud of all of their dedication and enthusiasm for learning These results represent 5 years of devotion to learning I wish them all the very best of luck with their future learning.” The B3149 in Barnstaple where the proposed road works are Braunton Road in the Pottington area of Barnstaple is set to undergo significant roadworks starting this September.  aimed at improving transportation infrastructure with a proposed completion date of June 30 2025 as per Devon County Council's website The planned improvements include enhancements to the bus lane the installation of new pedestrian crossings These changes are part of a broader effort to facilitate smoother traffic flow and increase safety for both pedestrians and public transport users in the area A spokesperson for Devon County Council said: “We receive over 50,000 requests to work on the highway each year To coordinate work efficiently we have provisionally reserved the road space for bus lane improvements and installation of pedestrian crossings on Braunton Road.” the spokesperson also noted that the project is not yet final.  “This scheme is subject to approval at a future Cabinet meeting Details are still being worked up at this stage but a permit application would need to be submitted at least 10 days before the scheme starts and we would aim for work to be carried out between October and January If the scheme is not supported by councillors this provisional booking will be cancelled.” This year will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day – the largest invasion force that history has never seen the likes of What a logistical achievement it was to transport thousands of tonnes of equipment How did the Allies move so rapidly to the British coast and without any secrets being uncovered by the German army ABOVE: GWR official letter to staff 10.3.1944 This column commemorates all the railwaymen who played a part in the war effort Operation ‘Pied Piper’ was Prime Minister Churchill’s heart breaking and successful evacuation of the children of London and other cities that were sent to more rural areas by railway while the German Luftwaffe continued to bomb the more-urban areas There is old stock footage of the children arriving at Crediton Barnstaple and Bideford to await their carers who looked after them while their parents either remained in cities or were enlisted to the war effort I first knew of the local railway's involvement from my Grampy Bill Steer who was leading railwaymen in the parcels office at Barnstaple Junction (Now Barnstaple station).  Bill and all the other railwaymen had such important roles to keep rolling stock moving and had to remain on duty as they were vital to the UK's defences and the continued supply for the war effort.  The railway was how troops and military hardware would travel to stations around the Northern Devon coast to train up for the Normandy landings freight wagons would supply the military and rations for all the nation.  There was a massive artillery gun attached to a railway wagon which would normally be installed to a battleship that went around the coast from Braunton to Bideford to defend Northern Devon from attack.  There was the true story of how Chivenor airfield control tower had talked down a Luftwaffe bomber and Bill Steer and station crew were under orders to get a train to Wrafton to pick up the German bomber crew to be taken to a POW camp.  Some railway services were top secret and to this day we only know that Sir Winston Churchill would go to Bideford by train: then step from the train and into the grand entrance of the Royal Hotel to speak with commanding generals in preparation to D-Day: yet no local railwayman would speak of this.  there is a plaque and official letter which is very unique and honours the hotel for keeping war secrets ABOVE: Combined Operations Experimental Establishment Bill Steer never spoke of how vital Barnstaple station was to the war effort however the United States Naval Photographic Centre film number: #1549 uncovered video footage that shows Soviet officers and admirals departing at the station to discuss plans before going to Braunton Burrows to inspect the Allies’ latest artillery capabilities Barnstaple station also had three artillery guns emplaced on Sticklepath Hill to protect it from attack Great Western Railway ordered strict instructions to their employees; they must not discuss any official government transport movements before D-Day and their general manager made sure a circular was given to every railwayman The lead-up to D-Day saw continued movement of trains out of Northern Devon to the coast to supply and arm the invasion to Normandy I have been handed down his Defence medal war medal that was given to all railwaymen who were under government orders to keep the UK moving throughout WW2 This column was written with supportive thanks from Mike Western who runs the North Devon at War Facebook group and anyone who wishes to read more may want to visit the page Music has always and will always be very important to me and my family and my children have been fortunate to learn and be part of the music scene in North Devon My observation of the music scene currently is an odd one and I see great local and not so local artists struggling to make their aspirations succeed due to the lack of earning ability due big corporations making the money off the backs of artists and lack of governmental support for grass root venues In 2017 I wanted to get a bit more involved in the music industry Myself and my wife were lucky to get together with our festival partners Amy Newton and Si Murfet and with a bit of planning On The Road Music Festival (OTR) was born Held at Broadlands farm on the edge of the Great Field in Braunton OTR is about supporting local talent and bringing it to a bigger stage The main stage at OTR this year will see some local favourites Matilda Sharp and local legends Roy Newton and Andy Schollick Headlining on the Friday night on the main stage is DJ Martin Badder prolific producer and DJ releasing on some of the biggest electronic music labels in the world.  Martin has also appeared on lineups with Gorgon City Fabio and at numerous UK and Ibiza venues Headlining Saturday Night will be a band under the pseudonym “Raging Sea”, established in 1993 with 6 albums under their belt and known as one of the best live acts on the circuit who has most recently been supporting Band of Skulls and is achieving great accolades in the music industry Sunday night headliners are Loungeroom Lizard another “surprise” act put together especially for the festival Holocene and some great tunes from your favourite DJ Sexy Toast The Pill Gardens Stage will be hosting some emerging talent from the local area This family friendly festival will have free activities for the children: an amazing skate area sponsored by Braunton’s Patinar Skate Historically OTR has been a great place to reunite with friends at the end of the summer break and having a pat on the back for surviving what we hope will be a busy summer season for us all I am keen to write about other artists that are playing like Candar Ann Liu and expose how incredible they are The local music scene in Devon is thriving and the support from great venues like JCT27 non-commercial festival run by local music lovers for local music lovers.  There are no big corporations financing things.  it relies on support from you – our locals – and you can show your support by buying your ticket for the festival sooner rather than later.  Tickets are available from Saunton Road Studios, Second Skin and Patinar Skate in Braunton or online from www.ontheroadmusicfest.co.uk Champions League glory for North Devon club It has been a spectacular campaign of success for Braunton FC Women’s Walking Football team The squad has completed an amazing cup treble the WFLA National Cup and the WFLA Champions League Cup The team travels extensively to play the best teams from across the UK and abroad they picked up The Champions League trophy after a 50-minute final against Kettering The team has been running for two years and has grown to become the largest women’s walking football team in Devon Players range in age from 30-70 and are of all abilities Braunton FC cater for all levels from beginner to international standard players.    Mel Benson from the Braunton team said: “For a small village club We have been successful on the pitch this season A treble winning season for any team is amazing recreational teams and the work we do within our community We assist our sponsors Braunton Rotary club with community events and we have supported the local academy too.” Braunton Women’s Walking Football are just about to start our summer programme of football This will see them run three sessions a week in three different locations: Monday (turn up and play) Braunton Academy astro 6-7pm Wednesday (Training night) Pilton astro 7-8pm Friday (mixed turn up and play) Bideford Blues especially any men who would like to attend the new Friday mixed session please visit the Braunton FC Women’s Walking Football Team FB page or call Mel on 07764 767955 The countryside charity Devon CPRE is backing proposals to build nine social homes for local people at a site adjacent to the historic Great Field in Braunton The charity, which is famous for opposing suburban sprawl and housing developments that gobble up farmland, says the modest proposal will provide 10% of the social housing needed in Braunton without having to be accompanied by 30-50 additional ‘open market’ houses. “We believe this proposal is consistent with our 99-year mission to protect the countryside while providing homes that are desperately needed locally” “People sometimes imagine that CPRE is opposed to all development – but protecting rural England means nurturing a sustainable and flourishing rural economy and if young people cannot afford to live here “We have been aware for a long time that some areas of Devon are in danger of becoming huge holiday camps with no staff – because young people key workers and hospitality workers simply can’t find anywhere they can afford to live The rental market has collapsed since online B&B services arrived and new homes are snapped up in large numbers as investments and holiday homes driving up prices beyond the reach of most local people.” Emma Hookway, founder of the North Devon and Torridge Housing Crisis Group says: “I founded the group due to the awful personal struggle I encountered when trying to house myself and my son This was 3 ½ years ago and the situation is still dire for many local people who have no choice but to rent with demand for rental properties far outreaching the number available “Many families who have lived here for years have been pushed out of the village not only due to the lack of rentals but also the extreme prices now being charged I fully support the Community Land Trust development in Braunton It is badly needed to ensure even a few local people can remain in the village I will be the last generation of my family in the local churchyard.” Steve Crowther adds: “In 2020-21 house prices in North Devon went up by 22.5% in a year* driving prices even further away from average wages in the county CPRE’s survey last year showed that while there are 14,000 families on Devon’s housing waiting lists right now the whole county has built fewer than 10,000 social-rent homes in the past 33 years a compromise has to be made between the Local Green Space designation and Heritage status of the site and the pressing need for social housing in Braunton where 82 families are waiting for accommodation This modest development will provide 10% of that on land which is ironically only affordable because of its special status.” The initial application (79268) is only for Permission in Principle (PIP) Devon CPRE hopes that the ensuing full application will support high quality design biodiversity net gain and landscape enhancements as well as dedicated information displays highlighting the history and importance of the Great Field The application has been classed as a ‘delegated decision’ by North Devon Council but owing to the level of local support for the scheme it is believed that councillors will ‘call it in’ for discussion by the full planning committee in the New Year The first Planning Committee meeting of 2025 is scheduled for 8 January Saunton Sands is the proposed site for the undersea cables to serve the White Cross wind farm project People have been urged to attend public consultations this week on controversial plans to install underground cabling at Saunton Sands to serve the proposed White Cross offshore wind farm Drop in events will be hosted by developers Cobra and Flotation Energy at Braunton Parish Hall this Tuesday (May 21) from 11am to 4pm and again at Braunton Academy’s Isaac Hall from 6pm to 8pm A further event will take place on Wednesday (May 22) at North Devon Cricket Club at Instow from 11am to 6.30pm The proposed wind farm would be a testing and demo facility with seven floating wind turbines 32 miles off the coast The electrical cabling would come ashore at Saunton beach then horizontal drilling would be used to lay it under parts of Braunton Burrows and other sensitive areas as far as the White House on the toll road before going under the estuary to the sub station at Yelland The scheme has prompted a swell of opposition with campaigners saying they do not object to the turbines but feel Saunton is the worst possible location to bring the cables ashore There were also allegations on social media that many in Braunton itself had not even received leaflets to let them know about the public consultations Some 40 per cent of the Saunton beach car park would be used during the construction period which White Cross is now saying will only be a year with fears of up to 100 lorry movements a day through Braunton especially during tourist season and prompting safety concerns in areas such as the village’s narrow Caen Street A temporary new road will also be run through fields and Braunton Marsh The latest round of consultations has come about after North Devon Council formally asked the developers to withdraw the plan in December – they refused but have returned with more information they say answers concerns Campaign group Save Our Sands and others have asked why Saunton was chosen with other less sensitive sites available such as routing to the sub station at Alverdiscott which has been mooted as the location for cables from the proposed Xlinks power cable project from Morocco who has prepared a briefing for Save Our Sands said: “There is anger and distrust that we know so little with any certainty.  The voluminous planning application and its complicated structure fails to make anything clear giving Natural England and others fundamental concerns about the cable route that so many share “Most of us can’t understand how a unique highly protected coastline (eight designated sites in as many kilometres) can be considered suitable for the cable corridor “An over-riding concern is frustration at an impenetrable application made worse by virtually no public engagement with the White Cross team Most of us in Braunton haven’t received our drop-in session information yet.” The Gazette put the concerns to White Cross and a spokesperson said the construction work at Saunton Sands was expected to be completed within a year with the cable landing works on the beach itself expected to be two weeks They claimed the project team had found ways to reduce the number of HGV movements and that the project had been designed in a way to limit environmental impact The statement said the project would schedule as much work as possible outside the busiest parts of the tourist season The spokesperson said: “Over the past few months our team have been working hard to consider and address the response to our application by North Devon Council and other stakeholders re-visited our construction plans to further minimise the project’s impact on parking at Saunton Sands We continue to develop our approach to reduce construction traffic and have provided additional detail on our plans to ensure wildlife and habitats are protected we will be presenting the updated information we have prepared which we are confident will help to address the matters raised Our team also want to hear from local people and invite further feedback on the project.” In response to claims about lack of advertising for the drop-in events they added: “We want everyone to be aware of our events This is why we have publicised the events widely with radio and press advertisements and leaflets delivered to homes and venues in the area  “We look forward to welcoming anyone with an interest in our project to next week’s events. For anyone unable to attend, copies of relevant information are also being published on our website, whitecrossoffshorewind.com.” North Devon will be marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day with events around the region Events will be held across North Devon this June to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and commemorate the Allied invasion of Normandy which turned the tide and brought about the end of World War Two in Europe Beacons will be lit around the county and the UK on Thursday to honour that ‘day of days’ eight decades earlier when the largest seaborne invasion ever landed on the French coast The historic occasion will be marked by various events in communities across our region – and North Devon played a key part in the build up to D-Day with thousands of Allied troops billeted and trained in the area in the countdown to the invasion Saunton and Croyde as well as Instow and Braunton Burrows and was known as the Assault Training Center Above: Training for D-Day on the 'rocket wall' at Braunton Burrows To commemorate sacrifice of so many thousands involved in the D-Day landings in the fight for freedom beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit across the UK Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories - plus a Lamp Light of Peace will be lit on each of the five beaches in Normandy to coincide with the lighting of beacons everywhere Town criers will be reading out the Town Crier Proclamation at communities across the land – see below for local details June 6 there will be American WW2 vehicles soldiers and living history groups plus a tea dance on the Square between 9am and 11am before an 11am memorial service in Rock Park led by the Reverend Dr Ben Williams There will also be a Digital Heritage Trail for people to discover the stories and significance of the town during the war years Bideford Town Council is hosting an evening of commemoration at the Pollyfield Centre on June 6 from 6.30pm with performances by Bideford Youth Pipes and Drums and the famed Liberty Sisters singing popular 1940s songs There will be tributes to the heroes of D-Day and a beacon will be lit at 9.15pm There will be a Town Crier’s Proclamation and the Piper’s Lament The town clerk will recite The National Tribute and the Mayor of Bideford will read out the town’s own special Roll of Honour of those who lived locally and were involved in the D-Day landings A special commemoration event is taking place on Appledore Quay on June 6 organised by Northam Town Council and Appledore Visitors Association from 7.30pm There will be music from Appledore Band together with a barbecue and other refreshments and a beacon will be lit at 9.15pm Those attending are invited to bring their own chairs Great Torrington will be remembering those involved in the D-Day landings with a programme of events on June 6.  The Town Crier Proclamation will be read out in the Town Square at 8am with the bells of St Michael and All Angels Church ringing out for peace at 6.30pm Then from 8pm Torrington Silver Band will be playing at Torrington Rugby Club before the lighting of a beacon, built by Torrington Cavaliers at 9.15pm, while the Mayor reads out The International Tribute. There is no parking at the rugby club site – if people have special access needs, please contact the town council on 01805 626135 or email admin@great-torringtontowncouncil.gov.uk Great Torrington Town and Community Hall is holding a D-Day Lunch on June 6 from 12noon to 3 pm Food will be cooked and served by ‘Land Army’ girls Rosie There is roast beef and Lord Woolton Pie and pudding available if you have room June 8 the hall is hosting Boogie in the Bunker from 7.30pm a 1940s-themed dance to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day with free entry thanks to sponsors The Torrington Masonic Lodge There will be live music by the Hummingbirds and a swinging vintage DJ -The Sultan of Swing who has been organising the event with the help of fellow trustees said: “We are busy transforming our majestic town hall into a 1940s venue complete with a bar Although period dress is optional we hope people will get into the theme of the evening and enter our best dressed competition to win a prize We particularly welcome veterans past and present to come along and join us.” former town crier Roy Goodwin will be coming out of retirement for a special reading of the D-Day proclamation on the clapping circle by Capstone at 11am on June 6 with others attending to honour those who trained for the landings in North Devon there will be a service and wreath laying at St Brannocks Churchyard at 3.30pm on Thursday June 6 at the American Tree in the churchyard Many Americans were based in Braunton while training for D-Day and on June 5 1944 there was a ceremony in the churchyard when the Americans planted a tree The next day they left for the beaches of France The tree is still going strong and has a plaque beside it with the D-Day landings still commemorated at the tree each year South Molton Pannier Market will be marking the occasion on June 6 from 10am to 1pm with a full market plus seating on the square for visitors to enjoy a performance by South Molton Town Band The square will also be decorated with Tommy soldier statues and a 1943 WW2 original Willy's Jeep will be present Kenwith Castle care home at Abbotsham near Bideford is holding an afternoon of reminiscence with a street party and live entertainment on Thursday June 6 and is inviting local veterans who may be alone on the day to join the care home residents for their special event Some of the residents are armed forces veterans or have family or relations who served who celebrated his 100 birthday earlier this year but places must be booked in advance by Monday Beaford Village Hall is hosting two events June 6 from 7pm with the lighting of a beacon by a local veteran The Last  Post played by a local resident on her bugle a barbecue and bar and in the background Churchill’s speeches and 1940s music June 8 from 4pm the hall will host a 1940s Dance to the Hummingbirds trio plus the arrival of a fabulous Rols Royce Phantom 1 whose claim to fame is Churchill and Roosevelt used it many times a beacon will be lit on the Lundy South lighthouse by Trinity House which oversees lighthouses around England and Wales to mark the occasion and also honour the Trinity House vessels and crews who worked tirelessly before and after D-Day to support the invasion Because many surviving veterans and living history groups will be in Normandy itself there is no Devon D-Day event on Saunton Sands this year June 15 it will be possible to see a convoy of wartime vehicles setting off from Braunton’s Sandy Lane car park at around 10am organised by the Friends of the Assault Training Center The convoy will makes its way to the concrete landing craft on the dunes Barnstaple-based The Veterans Charity will be unveiling a new memorial to the first allied soldier to die on D-Day on the Landing Zone at Pegasus Bridge in Normandy The memorial was made in North Devon by Simms Fabrication Ltd If you have a D-Day 80 public event and we have missed you out, please email us on newsdesk@northdevongazette.co.uk and we will add your event to the online round up