North Devon Council, in partnership with North Devon Voluntary Service, have announced that they will be supporting the Big Help Out; a national campaign that aims to encourage volunteering in communities across the country.
The campaign showcases how volunteering benefits both the communities and the people who take part and its long-term objective is to get more people involved in volunteering and to highlight the positive impact it has on society.
The initiative is being launched as part of the celebrations marking the Coronation of King Charles III, and the partnership is calling on individuals and groups to come forward to share details of their volunteering groups to get new members on board.
Chief Executive of North Devon Council, Ken Miles, says: “The Big Help Out campaign is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to give back to their communities, and we are thrilled to be part of it. We believe that volunteering is an essential part of community building, and we are encouraging everyone to get involved and make a difference.
“To support the campaign, which officially launches on 8 May, we as a partnership are encouraging individuals to visit the Devon Connect website and list their volunteering opportunities. We will then be promoting these opportunities on our social media channels (@North Devon Council & @North Devon Voluntary Services – NDVS).
“We hope that by doing this, we will be able to connect volunteers with groups and organisations that need their help and support.”
Chief Officer of Northern Devon Voluntary Service, Marie Gould, says: “Our community is exceptionally well served by our Voluntary and Community Groups and we are very pleased, in collaboration with North Devon Council, to celebrate all of this much-needed work as well as gain further and much-needed additional support, in the form of volunteering roles. Thriving, strong and healthy communities are derived through the work of our Voluntary and Community groups and those that volunteer. The Big Help Out will help us to further raise awareness of just how important and rewarding volunteering can be for all involved.”
If you would like your volunteering opportunities added to the Devon Connect website, please click ‘add a listing’ on it’s homepage.
If you’re looking to start volunteering but don’t know where to start, please visit Devon Connects website to find opportunities in your local area.
Tiverton, Devon is a beautiful town located in the heart of the county. With its rolling hills, picturesque countryside and quaint villages, it’s the perfect place to take your furry friend for a walk. There are many dog-friendly walks in and around Tiverton that offer stunning views and plenty of opportunities for your dog to explore.
One popular dog walking spot in Tiverton is the Grand Western Canal. Also known as the Tiverton Canal, this country park and local nature reserve meanders through picture-perfect Mid Devon countryside. The canal is a perfect place for a leisurely walk with your furry friend. When walking along the canal, dogs must be kept under control and out of adjacent farmland. The canal offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and is a great place to spot local wildlife.
Another great place for dog walks in Tiverton is Knightshayes. This National Trust property offers a parkland circular dog walk that starts from the stables lawn and takes you along Home Farm lane, through parkland and past the Heathcoat Cricket club. It then winds back up parallel to the drive in the vast parkland in front of the house itself. The walk is moderate in difficulty and takes between 25-45 minutes to complete. Along the way, you’ll be able to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside and Knightshayes House. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/knightshayes/visiting-knightshayes-with-your-dog
If you’re looking for more dog walking routes around Tiverton, you might want to check out Bickleigh Mill’s website. They have information about several dog walking routes around Tiverton, including the Bickleigh Castle Loop and stages 4 and 5 of the Exe Valley Way. The Bickleigh Castle Loop is just over 4 miles in length and takes around 2 hours to complete. The walk takes in country lanes, farmland and one long steep track. Stages 4 and 5 of the Exe Valley Way are also great options for dog walks. Stage 4 starts at Thorverton and makes its way to Bickleigh, while stage 5 starts at Tiverton and makes its way to Bickleigh. These walks offer stunning views of the Exe Valley and are a great way to explore the local countryside.
In addition to these walks, there are many other dog-friendly activities in and around Tiverton. For example, you could walk part of The Two Moors Way, visit one of the many local parks or nature reserves with your furry friend. There are also many dog-friendly pubs and cafes in Tiverton where you can stop for a bite to eat or a drink with your dog by your side.
In conclusion, Tiverton is a great place for dog walks with its beautiful countryside and many dog-friendly walking routes. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll along the canal or a more challenging hike through the countryside, there’s something for every dog (and owner) in Tiverton. So why not grab your leash and head out on an adventure with your furry friend today?
Please feel free to give us a call on 01271 388253 to discuss any projects before submitting your application.
Fund deadline fast approaching: Community Development Fund
The Recovery Devon 2023 Community Development Fund is open for applications – – although the deadline for applications is Sunday21st May 2023 at 9.00am.
Awards from £50 to £750 are available for projects by anyone who is passionate about creating opportunities for recovery, in interesting and ‘out of the box’ ways. They welcome any innovative, recovery-focused project ideas that would benefit from a small amount of financial support. Project leads can also make use of our community development expertise.
They encourage those with lived experience of mental health struggles to apply, especially if it’s something that will also help your own recovery. You do not need to have had any experience with running projects before, if this is your first venture in setting up something in your community then Recovery Devon can offer connections and resources to help.
Further information, along with how to apply, can be found on their website: recoverydevon.co.uk/2023
Wolfson Foundation’s Older People Grant programme
The Wolfson Foundation’s Older People Grant programme supports UK registered charities and local authorities which provide care and services for older people, particularly if they have a neurodegenerative condition, such as Parkinson’s Disease, spinal muscular atrophy or Alzheimer’s, or are socially isolated.
Projects should be for a new building, refurbishment work or equipment that leads to one or more of the following aims:
Improved financial stability of the organisation
Improved quality and range of services, and/or
Increased access to services for new and existing users
Applying organisations should:
Be a registered charity or a local authority,
and, if applicable have at least a ‘Good’ rating from a regulator such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The minimum grant available is £15,000. Grant awards are normally in the range of £20.000 and £75,000. Please note that there is a matched funding requirement for projects with a total cost of over £50,000.
The Foundation has a 2-stage application process with the following key dates:
Opened to Stage 1 applications on Sunday 14th May 2023. 2. Stage 1 application deadline: Saturday 1st July 2023 at 23:59. 3. Stage 2 application deadline: Friday 1st September 2023 at 23:59. 4. Funding decisions: December 2023.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Wolfson Foundation website.
Torridge launch Town Centre Beautification Scheme
Torridge District Council has announced a new scheme to support local independent businesses (within the TDC area) with grants of up to £1000 available to help improve or repair shop fronts or other potential “beautification projects” within town centres. The funding has been made available as part of the money allocated to Torridge under the UK Shared Prosperity fund, with a 50:50 match funding arrangement. Under the scheme the council will contribute up to 50% of a project’s total cost with the business at least matching the Torridge grant contribution.
The funding is aimed at encouraging the creation of more attractive town centres and enhance the character of the towns across the district. Proposals will be marshalled under the umbrella of the councils “beautification project,” with the aim of making town centres more attractive and increasing footfall, whilst encouraging new businesses and projects to open up within the town centres.
The Council has set a deadline of 7th June 2023 for the receipt of applications and would like to hear from businesses in Bideford, Northam, Westward Ho!, Appledore, Great Torrington and Holsworthy. Any projects will need to fit in with the local aesthetics of the area and take into consideration other aspects such as conservation areas. All projects must be completed by October 2023 and as examples might include replacing shop fronts, windows doors and guttering, painting of existing shop fronts, replacement signage, or town centre art projects.
For more information on eligibility please contact Kirsty Defranceski (Town Centre Project Officer) at Torridge District Council on 01237 428919 or email economic.development@torridge.gov.uk if you would like to discuss the scheme further.
Community Fridges bring people together around good food. Across the UK they are reducing social isolation, increasing access to skills, sharing knowledge and repurposing fresh (surplus) food.
The funder knows that many groups want to do more, and so in partnership with Starbucks they are offering £7,000 (per group) in funding for up to 50 Community Fridge feel free to apply.
Exmoor Open Water Swim is offering 100 free charity places for this year’s swim but you need to be quick! The free charity tickets will only be available from 0800 on 20th May for 48 hours before tickets go on general release.
All you need to do is log on to exmoorswim.co.uk at 0800 on 20th May, sign up and pledge to raise £200 for local environmental charity Plastic Free North Devon – but you’ve only got 48 hours to do so! Fundraisers will receive a complimentary Exmoor Swim t-shirt as well as being entered into a prize draw to win a dryrobe®. General tickets will go on sale at 0800 on 22nd May.
The Exmoor Open Water Swim takes place at the beautiful Wimbleball Lake on Sunday 24 September and is said to be one of the friendliest and most inclusive open water swims around. Since its inception six years ago the event has become a firm fixture in the open water swim calendar. Its goal is to give everyone the opportunity to dive into nature’s wild embrace and swim in this incredible setting in the heart of Exmoor, no matter what your experience.
Swimmers can choose from four distances. Whether you’re taking part in your first open water swim or you’re a more experienced athlete looking for a real challenge, there’s a distance for you.
Distances include 6km, 4km and 2km where swimmers, in a wetsuit or skins. The 1km swimmers can enjoy the event’s non-competitive course which is a truly accessible swim distance for all ages, experiences and abilities.
In contrast, the 6km elite course is for those looking to really challenge themselves. They will swim one lap of the 4km course and one lap of the 2km course and must be able to swim at the faster pace of less than 28 minutes per mile equivalent in a pool to participate.
While there are medals for those who come in the top three for their age groups, and participation medals for all, the majority of swimmers will simply be challenging themselves to participate in a safe and friendly open-water swimming environment.
The Exmoor Open Water Swim, in association with dryrobe® and the event’s other sponsors, 79 Group and Ninety One, is also delighted to announce that 100% of the profits from the swim and the Croyde Ocean Triathlon will go to charity.
The coronation of King Charles III took place on May 6th, 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London.
People from across the globe celebrated the occasion. Some joined the crowds in London lining the route of the procession. Villages and Towns held Street Parties. Islanders in the Channel Islands celebrated the historic occasion with parties and screenings of the service. In Guernsey, a 21-gun salute marked the official coronation of King Charles III in the Bailiwick. Millions of people across the UK and beyond celebrated the coronation of King Charles III – a symbolic ceremony combining a religious service and pageantry.
Australia and New Zealand celebrated the coronation of King Charles III with 21-gun salutes in their capitals after the countries’ leaders attended the coronation ceremony in London.
Soldiers carrying flags from the Bahamas, South Africa, Tuvalu and beyond marched alongside British troops in a spectacular military procession in honour of the monarch.
The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters (SSOHC) returned with a celebratory yarnbomb to mark the coronation of King Charles III.
How did you celebrate the Coronation in Witheridge?
There was a party on Friday at The Rest A While. It was attended by many, the food and drink were plentiful and “God Save the King” was sung whilst the cake was cut.
On Saturday afternoon there was a free event in the Parish Hall. Bringing your own picnic and cream teas and other refreshments were available. There were games and quizzes and colouring in for all to enjoy. The weather even gave the opportunity to sit outside in the sun.
On Sunday bother Churches held a service of Thanksgiving and celebration followed by a shared lunch. The Sports Club held a party, with music and dancing.
There was something for everyone. Add your comments and pictures of your celebration in the comments.
We know how hard teachers and support staff in ours schools are working every day and the pressures they are under.
This week we wanted to let the lovely team at Witheridge Church of England Academy know that they are appreciated and valued ♥♥♥
What better way to start the week than with a basket of goodies! We hope the tea, coffees, chocolate and treats show the staff at our lovely village school how awesome we think they are and what a great job they are doing.
We started the New Year with a “Bring a Friend” party and from this gained one new Guide and a few new Brownies. The dark nights have meant we have been able to do some star gazing and complete skills builders and activities based on that theme such as Night Sky Observers, Skills in Space, Spaced out and Blackhole Break out. We celebrated Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit by making Rabbit Glitter Globes and playing Chinese Whispers.
A number of the Brownies and the Guides joined in a Division Thinking Day event in Tiverton in February and on the 8th March, International Women’s Day Girlguiding UK had a rebranding and our new logo is at the top of this article.
We are looking forward to the lighter nights and having some fun outside in the summer term.
Great to see the work progressing along Fore Street, and if you’re not already up to speed, here’s a link to more details about the “Section 106” improvements taking place…
The zebra crossing and lowered kerb with sensory paving will make it much safer for all to cross outside the school.
The additional pavement from the school up to the Fire Station is a great improvement for all those walking from Lakelands Close to the bus stop, school and down into the village square. Looking forward to it all being finished!
