Penny Dixie
Community Events
Get involved and join a local community event near you...
Film night and supper with Transition Town Okehampton
Saturday 6 April, 19:00. Okement Centre, Okehampton
Free film showing of 'Tomorrow' which demonstrates how Transition Town communities across the world are re-inventing positive solutions to the challenges of climate change and political and economic crises. The film will be followed by a time of sharing ideas and supper. Please bring a plate of food to share.
The Big Saunton Beach Clean
Sunday 7 April, 11:00-13:00 (more dates later in the year). Saunton
The ‘Big Saunton Beach Clean’ partnership draws together a range of community and business stakeholders and many dedicated volunteer beach cleaners. Since 2018 the Saunton events have involved 3050 volunteers, 43 beach cleans and the removal of over four tonnes of rubbish.
A Bird Box and Bat Box Making Workshop
Sunday 7 April, 13:00-16:00. Ashprington Village Hall
Materials and tools provided, no skills necessary. Make a box for your garden and one for the churchyard if you are feeling generous. Refreshments provided. Children accompanied by an adult. Suggested donation of £5.00.
Coastwise North Devon Spring/Summer Survey Programme
Shoresearch and INNSHORE field surveys running from Tuesday 12 March - 18 October at various locations. Next event is a Shoresearch Tuesday 9 April 11:30 at Combesgate, Woolacombe.
Tiverton Civic Society - John Davidson 'Floods and Flood Protection in the River Exe Basin'
Tuesday 9 April. Tiverton
John was for many years Head of Geography and Director of Alumni Relations at Exeter School. His popular talks include geographical, historical and scientific subjects.
The Mossy Carpet
Tuesday 9 April, Northam Burrows Visitor Centre
11:30 - 'Be more moss' easy guided walk
13:00-16:00 - Crafting workshops (moss inspired pom poms and more)
Natural Northbrook: restoring a city stream
Thursday 11 April, 18:00-19:00. Online
Exeter’s Northbrook, like many of England’s waterways, suffers from poor water quality and a disconnect from floodplains and natural habitats. Large sections have been artificially straightened, piped underground and through cemented channels. It is a testament to the resilience of nature that otters and kingfishers can occasionally still be spotted, but they survive against the odds. However, there is a great deal than can be done to help nature back in and revitalise this forgotten stream. Join this online talk to find out more about the project!
All about swifts!
Monday 15 April, 19:30. Ilsington Village Hall, TQ13 9RG
Come to a talk on swifts by local enthusiast Alistair Whybrow of Kingsteignton Swifts. Find out about their amazing lives and how you can help them - you never know you may become a swift enthusiast too! Entrance £3 donation
Skills Bootcamp - Ecology & Conservation
Thursday 18 April - 27 June. North Devon - this is a hybrid course with in-person masterclasses, field visits and workshops on campus, alongside online delivery.
This Skills Bootcamp will provide you with introductory knowledge and understanding of ecology and ecosystems focusing on the broad range of environmental settings in North Devon. Each week varies, but you will generally do two afternoons a week – on Thursdays and Fridays. Fully funded by UK Government/Devon County Council.
Film Club @ The Eco Hub
Wednesday 24 April, 19:00-22:00 (more dates available). Sustainable Tiverton Eco Hub, EX16 6LU
A casual monthly film screening and discussion evening open to all. Organised by Sustainable Tiverton.
Avon Valley Project - Landowner Advisory Drop-ins
Thursday 25 April, 9:30-16:00. Heron Valley Orchard Coffee Shop & Bar, Loddiswell, TQ7
Over the winter months DWT’s Lynne Kenderdine will be available at Heron Valley Café to help answer your land management questions. If you are a farmer, landowner or land manager in the Avon Valley and would like advice or wish to discuss any aspect of land management then you can book time with Lynne between 9:30-13:00 and 14:00-15:00 – or drop in between 15:00-16:00. Additional dates available.
Two Day Community Composting Masterclass
Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 April, 10:00-15:00. South Brent Old School Community Centre
This two-day course, led over a weekend by 'Dr Compost' Nicky Scott and SusSH Composting Mentor and Community Compost Expert Ben Bryant, will offer a deep dive for all those interested in developing a community composting site.
Booking is essential. There are limited spaces on the course and we are keen to ensure that this knowledge gets spread across the South Hams. Attendees should be willing and able to use the course to develop projects in their own community, and we would ideally prefer to have two or three representatives from each parish.
EcoChurch Celebration
Sunday 28 April, 12:30-15:30. Exeter Cathedral
You are warmly invited to an afternoon event celebrating the Eco Church scheme in Devon. Dave Bookless from A Rocha will be sharing a message, and we will hear inspiring stories from churches around the diocese. Come along and be inspired to take action in your parish and mission community.
Repurposing Brown Bins: Train the Trainer Course
Saturday 4 May & Saturday 8 June, 10:00-15:00. Makers Mew, Ivybridge
We will be demonstrating the best methods for repurposing redundant brown bins into wormeries, rainwater butts and compost bins at this course. Attendees will leave the course with the knowledge and equipment necessary to convert brown bins in their own communities.
There are very limited spaces on the course and we are keen to ensure that this knowledge gets spread across the South Hams. Attendees should be willing and able to use the course to educate in their own community, and we would ideally prefer to have just one representative from a parish.
Tiverton Pannier Market Gardening Day
Saturday 4 May. Tiverton
A fun interactive workshop aimed at those who are new to gardening and food growing. There will be family-friendly activities - make your own plant pots - plant seeds - discover your favourite herb - and simple advice to help turn a small patch of outdoor space into a place to grow things you like. If you are interested in joining the new food growing group email info@sustainabletiverton.org.uk, or come along to one of our events and talk to our volunteers.
Plymouth Urban Tree Festival
Saturday 11 - Sunday 19 May. Various locations
This May join Plymouth Tree People to celebrate the second Plymouth Urban Tree Festival! People in Plymouth clearly love trees so we are joining other cities including London and Belfast for the 7th annual Urban Tree Festival to celebrate how much we value and appreciate our city's trees. We are running a wide range of mostly free, exciting events which cater for all ages and abilities. The Plymouth Tree Festival is independently run entirely by passionate local volunteers, tree experts, charities and groups.
The South West Marine Fest Conference 2024
Wednesday 29 May, 9:30-16:00. Brixham Marine Lab, TQ5 8BA
This will be the second of a reoccurring annual event that celebrates marine life from the region and beyond. The day will be filled with presentations, discussions and networking opportunities and will be aimed at those who work in the marine/conservation sector, students, early career researchers, and anyone with a passion for the marine environment!
Kingsbridge Nature Festival
Thursday 20 - Saturday 22 June. Kjingsbridge
Together with a range of creatives, projects and organisations in the town and surrounding area, we are busy co-creating a programme of events and workshops starting in April that culminate in a three-day festival (June 20th - 22nd) to celebrate the natural world and our place within it.
Skills Bootcamp in Regenerative Land-based Systems
Free for participants, made possible by Devon County Council, Skills Bootcamps and Train 4 Tomorrow, and certified by Crossfields Institute, the Apricot Centre @Huxhams Cross Farm and Landworkers Alliance present the Level 2 Skills Bootcamp in Regenerative Land-Based Systems to introduce people to the world of regenerative farming and help them gain skills for furthering their work and becoming part of the future of farming. Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
12 sessions will take place on Wednesdays, 9am- 4pm. Dates are specified for each cohort upon application and confirmed once you are accepted on a course. You must attend 80% of the course to complete.
Applications are continuously open for 2024 cohorts.
Braunton Countryside Centre Events
Various dates. North Devon
There are plenty of events planned for April, hopefully along with some gorgeous springtime sunshine! Come learn about the creatures that live in rock pools and the hunting habits of barn owls by attending some of our family-friendly Easter holiday events.
Totnes Climate Hub Events
Various dates. The Mansion, 36 Fore Street, Totnes, TQ9 5RP
The Totnes Climate Hub has been created to inspire, educate and enable our community to respond to our local and planetary challenges more effectively and together. Various events are hosting each month including climate cafes, energy advice sessions, walks, talks, and more.
Community orchard webinar recording
Saving Devon’s Treescapes recently teamed up with Adam’s Apples Fruit Tree Nursery based near Honiton to deliver a webinar aimed at anyone interested in creating a community orchard – if you missed it, catch up here: