plained - Greenfingers The Alan Titchmarsh Column - page 12
plained - Live Well in Braunton CIC AGM - page 17
plained - Reeve’s World - page 18
the boys n t door - The Braunton Neighbourhood Police Team - page 21
plained - Dread Not - page 22
perience - Granny’s Victoria Sponge - page 27
plained - Councillor Grants - page 28
The Braunton press - pages 32/33
Kids Page - page 35
plained - England Woman’s Rugby World Cup - pages 38/39
The Dog N t Door - Ru - page 41
plained - Tiny Dancer, Big Comeback - page 44
plained - Supreme Bean - page 48
plained - In the Mow - page 53
perience - The National Trust - page 56 perpl Just for Fun - page 59
The Cats n t door - Pumpkin & Kiwi - page 60
perience - What’s On - page 61 ind of Advertisers - page 62
Braunton Travis Perkins For all your building & landscaping projects Open for trade & non trade
Monday to Friday 7.30am - 5.00pm Saturday 8.00am - 12.00
BRAUNTON & DISTRICT U3A
Monthly meetings in the Parish Hall, 1st Tuesday of the month. Next meeting 1st July 10.00am. This months speaker is Liz Shakespeare, her subject is “The Ordeal of Miss Jones”. Entry £2 includes tea/coffee and a biscuit. Members only, new members welcome, sign up on the day. For more information on U3A activities check the Braunton U3A website.
BRAUNTON LIBRARY
Mondays 11.15 - 12.00 Stay & Play.
Mondays 10.15 - 11.15 Scrabble Club.
Every other Monday Crochet & coffee 2 - 4pm, enquire in library for details.
Tuesdays Lego Club 3.30 - 4.30.
Wednesday’s 11.15 Mini Readers, Term time only
Creative Writing second Wednesday of the month 1 - 3pm. £2
Thursdays 9.30 - 11am Stay & Play
1st Friday of the month Art Box 3.30 - 4.30 £1 Saturdays Playmobil 10.15 - Midday for 4 year olds plus Reading Groups please ask for details
Volunteers required to help with Library Extra opening, 2 hours a month would make a difference. Other activities and events are all advertised on our Facebook page and website. Did you know that we have a free service delivering books to your door (Braunton area) if you are unable to get to the library? If you think you or someone else would benefit from the Devon Libraries Home Library Service then please contact us on 01271812808
CHRIST CHURCH, BRAUNTON
Saturday July 12th - 10am – 12 Coffee morning at Christ Church. All money raised will go towards Man Down UK. Everyone welcome. Home made cakes, raffle, books and more. Community Café meets every Thursday at Christ Church 2.30 - 4.30pm. Come along and enjoy a warm welcome, a cuppa and home made cake - all for just £1.50. All ages welcome. See you there.
THE BRAUNTON MUSEUM AND INFORMATION
We have had a nice steady flow of visitors to the museum in the last few weeks, especially over the half term and Bank Holiday. With extra volunteers we can now open a bit longer, even opening on Saturday mornings hopefully throughout the summer. We are also delighted to say that we now have the new bus timetables in.
BRAUNTON FUNDRAISING GROUP FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK
Hello everyone, this month we would like to see more volunteers to join our group. We are a friendly bunch of ladies who love to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. If anyone reading this and feels they could help in the future, please come along to our monthly meeting's. For more information please contact Jackie on 01271 814475. Thank you, have a lovely summer.
BRAUNTON PARKINSON’S CAFE
Second Monday of the month at the Vivian Moon Centre, Chaloners Road, Braunton, EX33 2ES - 10.30 -12noon. A Parkinson’s Cafe is specifically for people with Parkinson’s, their partners, carers, family and friends to meet together for a cuppa and a chat in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. It is organised by volunteers from Parkinson’s UK and the Rotary Club of Braunton Caen. Please join us for a chat and the opportunity to make new friends. Contact Sarah on 01271 816150 or just turn up.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF BRAUNTON CAEN MEMORY CAFÉ
Last Wednesday of the month at the Vivian Moon Centre, Chaloners Road, Braunton, EX33 2ES 2-4pm
A memory café is a friendly and informal café with a warm Rotary welcome in a relaxed atmosphere, for people with memory problems. Please come and join us for a chat, fun and refreshments, as well as making new friends. It is free of charge. Just turn up or contact Geoff on 01271 815377.
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EXHIBITION OF OIL & WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS
SCENES IN AND AROUND BRAUNTON by local artist SUE MITCHELL
BRAUNTON LIBRARY 2nd JUNE - 31st JULY 2025
A20% commission from sales will be made to Braunton Library
Walks in July
Here is the programme of walks for July. It is great to see so many new people trying out our walks. Don’t forget that “Time out Tuesday” walks (for everyone) will be continuing for those who prefer a shorter evening walk, making the most of our longer summer days.
1st July – Time out Tuesday, Join us for a gentle 3-4 mile walk from Bideford Victoria Park entrance around Bideford starting at 6.30, and finishing with some refreshment! All welcome.
Saturday 5th July- The American Road, a circular walk from Braunton to Saunton along lanes and paths returning on the south-west coast path. Meet at 10 am at the Caen St car park in Braunton. (approx. 10 miles)
8th July- Time out Tuesday. Meet at the clock tower, Barnstaple for a gentle 3-4 mile walk around Barnstaple. All welcome.
Wednesday 9th July- Take the bus to Lynmouth departing Barnstaple bus station at 10.50 and link up with the Exmoor Explorer (12.15 departing from Lynmouth). Walk from County Gate back to Lynmouth for the return bus to Barnstaple. (approx. 7 miles).
Saturday 12th July- A classic Exmoor walk starting from Challacombe (Rooksfoot Bridge) at 10.30. (9.5 miles) See the website for more details.
15th July- Time Out Tuesday from Bideford. Meet at 6.30. Same details as before.
Saturday 19th July- Dartmoor Way Weekend, starting from Buckfastleigh Abbey at 10.30. walking to Ashburton (10.5 miles).
Sunday 20th July- Dartmoor Way Weekend, starting from Reddaford Water to Ashburton. (12 miles) This is a linear walk. Please book with Janice by 13th July so that transport can be co ordinated. See the website for more details
22nd July- Time Out Tuesday- Meet at the clock tower, Barnstaple for a gentle 3-4 mile walk around Barnstaple. All welcome.
Thursday 24th July- Trio of churches by train. Meet at Barnstaple station at 10.15. for train to Lapford. Walk to Coldridge for a visit to the church and return from Eggesford. This walk needs to be booked in advance with Mo. See the website for details. (10 miles)
Saturday 26th July- Great Links Tor and Widgery Cross. Meet at 10.30. behind the Dartmoor Inn for a 9-mile ramble on Dartmoor.
For further details for any of these walks, see our website at northdevonramblers.org.uk
Do you find it difficult to get someone to come and do a small job?
* Extra Lights *Additional Sockets * Qualified Electrician
* New Fuse Boards * Fully Insured
* Rewires * New Installations * Reliable Service * Tidy Work
I will assure you of a quick response and a reasonably priced service! Call Alan on: 01271 268513/07977 507433 or email: info@cornerwayselectrical.co.uk
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN OUR COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH TEAM
One of the most common subjects bought up when we speak to the public is speeding vehicles. We have a community speed watch team in Braunton that has grown successfully over the years to include a team at Knowle. Both teams of volunteers work closely together with the sole aim of helping to make the roads in our area safer. The teams are Police approved and trained and they monitor sites that have been identified as having a speeding issue, which are then risk assessed by us. Our colleagues in the roads policing team will often go out and support the teams sessions and deal with the more serious offenders at the road side.
The CSW teams normally go out a couple of times a week for an hour or two at a time and can use any of the different Police approved sites of which there are about a dozen.
Are you interested in giving an hour or two a week to make a difference to your community?
This is a voluntary role where you are trained and supported by the Police but act independently as a team to make their own arrangements to go out and hold a session at anytime during the hours of daylight and for as long and often as you want. The sessions are normally held by teams of 3, so the more volunteers we have, the more sessions we can hold. The teams use a speed gun to monitor the vehicles speeds at the various sites so if a driver is found to be breaking the speed limit the vehicle details are recorded. Data sheets are sent to us, and warning letters are then sent to the vehicles registered keepers. Persistent offenders will be identified, and their details passed to our roads policing team to take more positive action.
If you are interested and would like to know more, please email me us at csw@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk with your contact details and a member of the team will call you to talk over the role and answer any questions you may have. Our Braunton CSW team will have a stall at the Wheels event at Braunton Recreation ground on Sunday 27th July between 1000 – 1600 if you would like to come along and meet the team.
Every year County and District councillors each have access to small annual grant budgets to support local projects. Each District Councillor has a £1,000 grant and as County Councillor I have an additional £8,000 to allocate to projects that directly benefit Braunton Rural.
Previously County funds have been used to help projects such as beach access in Croyde and similar projects. Over the next few years I look forward to finding projects across Braunton Rural that would benefit from additional support. Last year, my District Grant was used to support projects from the brilliant Braunton Volunteers to helping provide a community sound system for the Tug of War. I have already spoken to a number of people regarding what can be done to help bring Braunton services to local people. So, if you’re part of a group working to improve our community please do get in touch.
You can find out more about accessing Councillor grants at:
In addition, each week I receive a handful of notices from organisations who are looking to fund different types of project. These can vary from sports equipment for children to organising support for elderly people. I always try to pass these funding opportunities onto whoever I can, and I post about them on social media. If you’d like to get these notifications OR if you’d like me to update you if I see something that might help, drop me an email on graham.bell@devon.co.uk (or call/visit).
Cllr Graham M Bell (rn)
Devon County Councillor: Braunton Rural
North Devon District Council: Lead Councillor for Housing & Homelessness, District & Parish Councillor for Braunton East
Please note, as an RN, I frequently work nights and unusual shift patterns, therefore it might not be possible to respond to queries immediately. If a matter requires an urgent response, please call, message or WhatsApp on 07929159996.
THE BRAUNTON EXPRESS
July 2025
Parish Council Refurbish Village Petanque Court
The Petanque court, located on the Tarka Trail behind the Anchor area by Cawthornes and Tiki, has been refurbished by the parish council. The old surface has been scrapped off and the gravel and edging replaced. The new court is free for anyone to use and is ideal for a social meet up.
Don’t have a set of Boules?
We have 2 sets available to borrow from The Green newsagents located a short walk away by Caen car park.
game? There are instructions on how to play in the Boules sets.
Braunton Twinning enjoyed a game with their visitors from Plouescat in France during their visit in May.
Meetings Calendar 2025
Full Council meetings are held in the Council Chamber and additional meetings, to primarily consider planning applications, are held virtually.
The next Councillor Surgery will be held in the Parish Hall at 10.30am on Saturday 6th September 2025.
Full Council Meeting 7pm Tuesday 8th July 2025
Additional Council Meeting 7pm Monday 28th July 2025
Funding Opportunities - the National Landscape
The North Devon Coast National Landscape (your local designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) currently have a series of funding opportunities that you may be eligible to apply for. The funding pots are available to help support projects within the National Landscape or that benefit the people or wildlife within it in some way.
Access for All (A4A) – The grant supports a range of projects designed to make the National Landscape more accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL)
- Through the programme, farmers and land managers can be supported to carry out projects that address nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage, or support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.
Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) –Grants up to £4,000 to support local projects enhancing the environmental, community, economic and social benefits of the National Landscape.
If you have an idea, ambition or simply want to discuss the above opportunities further, please feel free to get in touch aonb@devon.gov.uk or visit our website
www.northdevoncoast-nl.org.uk
Access for All Hippocampes wheelchairs
Ride on Lawnmower Woolacombe Allotments and Garden Association
Outdoor Learning Wild Things Community Farm Project
Is There Room for Ru In Your Heart and Home?
Ru is a six-year-old Lurcher cross looking for a loving home at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe Rehoming Centre. Ru is a gentle soul, and loves to be in the company of his favourite people. He is currently living off-site in a foster home. He has settled into his new environment nicely and is the perfect house guest.
Ru is fully housetrained and loves to snuggle and relax on the sofa, as he is an affectionate pooch who adores a fuss. Ru would make a great companion for someone who works from home as he adores the company. When he’s not curled up snoozing, Ru loves peaceful walks away from the hustle and bustle of busy streets. He plods along gently on his lead and enjoys a good sniff in the countryside. Ru has learnt to happily wear his muzzle for walks.
With gradual introductions, Ru can make friends with other doggy pals and would benefit from a home where adopters can continue to practice his social skills with likeminded pooches. He is good at his training, and knows tricks including sit and paw. His love for food makes training an enjoyable experience for him, with his favourite rewards being chicken or cheese. Ru adores playing with soft, squeaky toys and would love a home where he can play fetch in a large garden. He is happy to travel in the car and loves his trips to a nearby secure dog field.
Ru is looking to find a loving, patient and compassionate family to call his own. He could share his home with teenage children, but would need to be the only pet in the home. He is happy to be left alone for a few hours at a time in his home, but this would need to be built up gradually.
For more information about Ru and the other dogs looking for their forever homes, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/ilfracombe
Oakley Plumbing and Heating Ltd
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Boiler Installation and General Heating work
Landlord certificates
All general plumbing work undertaken
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Bathroom Repairs 07720 849471
4 Cavie Road, Braunton, Devon, EX33 1DX Company No. 10465422 / Gas Safe No 201789
JUST FOR FUN
HIDDEN MESSAGE Patterns
May’s answer was:
A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy - Albert Einstein
CATS OF THE MONTH
PUMPKIN & KIWI
Pumpkin and Kiwi are mother and daughter who are looking for a new home together as they are very bonded. They are young cats, Pumpkin being 18 months and Kiwi just 10 months old. Both girls are friendly, especially Pumpkin, but Kiwi is very shy and will take longer to settle in a new home. Neither cat is happy to be picked up, but Pumpkin will happily get on your lap for fuss and attention. They will not be suitable in a home where there are young children but may be ok with another cat or cat friendly dog. They are already used to using a cat flap and enjoy having some outside space to explore. If you are able to offer these beautiful girls a loving new home, please get in touch.
For further information please contact; T; 0345 3714203
For more details on any club or event please ring the relevant number
Dance / Fitness / Diet Classes:
Dancing Feet Academy of Dance - 816213
Salsa & Flamenco Dance Lessons with Mercedes - 269146
Yoga with Jules - 07813 874121
Yoga with Simone - 07860 604698
Cardio Kick! - 07876 406077
Toddler Groups:
South Street Baby Group - 07776 261541
South Street Toddler Group - 07776 261541
Noisy Nippers @ South Street - 07776 261541
St Brannock’s Babies & Toddler Group - 07980 915660
Paratroopers Fitness for 3 - 5 yr olds with Laura - 07775 182391
Tag Rugby for Years 2, 3 and 4 with Laura - 07775 182391
Chatty Paces Running Group - Start at the Athletics Track - 07980 342144
Chakra Dancing 07471 894200
Hypno Yoga for Pregnancy and Birth with Kristina - 07907508624
Women's Meditation and Relaxation Circle with Kristina - 07907508624
Paula Harrison Yoga - yoga@paulaharrison.eco - 07917 365318
Private/group yoga and somatic movement classes - 07738014383
Pilates, Yoga, Soundbaths and Over 60s sessions sue@sensegreaterpeace.co.uk
Clubs:
Braunton Original Badminton Club - 374419 or 890185
Braunton Art Group, meet on Thursdays at the Vivian Moon Centre at 1.30pm - 4pm. New members of all abilities are welcome. Tel: 07466 381 770 or email: oldhamstreamways@btintenet.com or just pop in and see us at work.
Braunton Bridge Club - 07734 219859 www.bridgewebs.com/braunton
Braunton Camera Club - Meet on Monday evenings contact Chairpersons 07812753361/01271883306
Braunton Judo Club - bjc@otani.co.uk
Vivian Moon Community Centre Coffee Morning - 815924
Rotary Club of Braunton Caen. www.brauntoncaenrotary.co.uk
Rotary Club of Braunton - www.brauntonrotary.org
Empathy - need some company - See www.brauntonchurch.org
Air Cadets 722 Chivenor Squadron - 07920 091557
Aikido Club - 01769 560605 or 861243
Braunton Army Cadets - 07970 082963
Croyde Surf Lifesaving Club - 890101
Croyde Surf Club www.croydesurfclub.com
Braunton Karate Club - 07736 936738 unionkaratedo.com
South Street Evangelical Church. (currently meeting at Christ Church) 4pm. Tel: 07879 773085
Coastal Community Church - Tel: 813515
(Currently meeting at Sticklepath Primary School, Barnstaple at 10.30am) Life GroupThursdays at 10.30am in Braunton. www.coastalcommunitychurch.org.uk Christ Church Braunton. 10.30am, Wednesday 10.30am. Tel: 07775 804439
Our Lady Star of the Sea at Ilfracombe is now the mother church of the parish. For information please phone 01271 863563
St Brannocks C of E Church (Braunton). 9.45am, Wednesday 10am. Tel: 813367
St Augustine's (Heanton). 11am. Tel: 815795
St Anne’s C of E Church (Saunton). 11am. Tel: 813367
