Value Home Furnishings
And so much more …..
59 High Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1JB (Opposite Primark)
We specialise in offering quality pre-owned furniture, white goods, bric-a-brac and everything you need to make your home complete. FREE COLLECTION of all donations throughout North Devon. Efficient House Clearances. We support by monthly donations the important local charities of Over and Above (N.D Hospital) and Care for Kids. Please contact Marj on Tel: 01271 376804 e-mail: info@valuehomefurnishings.net
The Next Generation! As the magazines move into their 20th year of serving the community, there will be some new changes ahead ~ Same Name ~ Same magazine but with New Management! As I prepare to hand over the reins of running the magazine to my son Danny Coppard.
I will still be in the background ensuring that the hand over goes along smoothly and efficiently to provide the same service as the last 20 years has provided.
Welcome on board Danny!
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 6th May 10.00am. This months speaker is Woody Fox “Willow Sculptor. 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 May 3rd - 10am – 12 Coffee morning at Christ Church. All money raised will go towards church maintenance. 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
Braunton museum is now open Monday to Thursday 10 to 3pm and Friday 10 to 1pm. We are hoping very soon to open on a Saturday morning on a regular basis if we get more volunteers. We look forward to seeing you. Please call in.
BRAUNTON FUNDRAISING GROUP FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK
Our next AGM and committee meeting will be on 9th May in the committee room, Parish hall. If you would like to join us in the future at our monthly meeting's, we are a few friendly group of ladies who love to do as much as we can to fundraise for Cancer Research UK. Please ring Jackie on 01271 814475 for enquiries. We shall be having a tombola stall and treasure hunt game on Bank holiday Mon 26th May at the May fair. Please come and say Hello to us.
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.
30
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
* Holiday Homes, Lets & Caravan Parks * Free Quote * Flexible Hours
* Landlord & Homebuyer Inspections * Reasonably Priced Fault Finding and Repairs - Satisfaction Guaranteed
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
BRAUNTON LIBRARY WINS SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND LIBRARY OF THE YEAR
Devon Library selected in The British Book Awards 2025
Braunton Library has been selected as a Regional & Country winner for Library of the Year in the South-West England region. This means the Devon library is now in the running for Library of the Year at The British Book Awards 2025.
In the South-West category, Braunton was one of four finalists, three of them all Devon libraries! Bideford and Exeter Libraries were also finalists. All are run by Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs the libraries in Devon and Torbay.
The British Book Awards, also known as ‘The Nibbies’, is run by The Bookseller magazine. It aims to champion the world of reading, showcasing authors and illustrators and everyone behind the scenes that bring them 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. However, the regional and country winners stood out for their creativity and impact. From large-scale authority-wide events, programming with diverse local partners, 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 is alive with regular groups such as children's Saturday Lego club, Mini Readers, Stay and Play, Art Box's, Knit and Natter, Coffee and Crochet, Creative Writing, plus extra children’s craft sessions in the holidays. The library also holds author visits, live music, IT sessions, reading groups for adults as well as schemes like Libraries Unlimited’s Secret Book Quest and Libro’s Friends. It has 1,589 members and receives around 24,500 visits per year. It hosts around 300 events, with an attendance of around 3,000 per year.
One major project in the last year really made it stand out. ‘The Gatherers’ project celebrated the importance of the natural world to people’s mental health, wellbeing and sense of belonging. It invited people from all parts of the community to collect flowers from their gardens, allotments and hedgerows, demonstrating how connections between plants and people are powerful conduits for community cohesion.
Braunton Library is close to the world-renowned Braunton Burrows complex sand dune system which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The project celebrated this through connecting with the landscape.
The project also specifically reached out to the families from Afghanistan to get them involved. Eighteen Afghan families who worked with British Forces during the Afghan war, and who cannot return to their country, have been relocated to Braunton through the Afghan Resettlement Assistance Policy (ARAP) and are now living in the former RAF Chivenor.
The families were encouraged to join wellbeing walks, organised by Live Well Braunton, along with local residents to explore the rural community, collecting flowers as they walked. Everyone was then invited into the library to press the gathered flowers using old library books. The Afghan women made the pressed flowers into beautiful bookmarks which were distributed as unexpected gifts tucked into books that went out on loan from the library.
The project was chosen by the European Cultural Foundation as one of 50 from 24 countries as partners for The Europe Challenge 2024 which is funded by the funded by The European Cultural Foundation and Arts Council England. This annual programme brings together teams from libraries and communities to address social isolation, inequality, disinformation, climate crisis, and other local challenges.
Anna Woods, supervisor at Braunton Library commented: "The staff at Braunton Library are absolutely thrilled to have won the South-West Library of the Year! We took part in The Gatherers, 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 Gatherers’ is part of a series of events being rolled out by Libraries Unlimited with the help of money from Arts Council England (ACE). North Devon was identified as one of ACE’s Priority Places to bring more cultural activity and engagement to the area.
The British Book Awards will take place at Grosvenor House, London on Monday 12th May and overall Library of the Year will be announced then.
Domestic plumbing and bathrooms
Gas safe registered
Boiler installation and servicing
Landlords gas safety certificates
Fully insured
Free no obligation quotations
No call out charge
Free friendly advice and estimates
Call the plumber with a good bathside manner!
Call Tom Rogers 07976 706391 Email orbitalplumbing@aol.com
Project Kraken is a joint law enforcement operation tackling coastal and border crime around the UK.
Devon and Cornwall boast stunning coastlines, bustling port and harbour towns. We're lucky to have so many remarkable places to enjoy and explore – but if crime and those behind it are left unchecked, we all suffer the consequences.
What do we mean by coastal crime?
Warning signs
• Coastal crime is any crime that has an impact on, or happens around, our coasts and borders, including smaller ports, docks and marinas.
• Crimes include theft, smuggling and criminal damage.
• For anyone around the coast
• seeing boats moored up in strange or isolated places or at strange times
• seeing boats coming together and meeting up, observing items being exchanged
• boats unloading scared or suspicious people, or unloading packages
• suspicious items washed up on the coast and beaches (do not touch or remove)
• people making attempts to signal or guide boats offshore
• people putting objects into waterways near bridges or marinas
• people loitering with no sense of purpose, or acting nervously
• people taking an interest in port security or buildings - maybe taking pictures or videos, or trying to gain access to restricted areas
Please report anything suspicious and call UK Border Watch
Crimestoppers on 0800 011 3304:
Please note that to report a crime or incident to Devon and Cornwall Police, visit our website or in an emergency, contact 999.
PCSO ANDY FRISBY POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER
BRAUNTON VILLAGE
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
Braunton Neighbourhood Police Team, Chaloner's road, Braunton. EX33 2ES
Telephone: 101. Ext 300001
Email: Andy.Frisby@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Upvc windows, Doors & conservatories
High Security multi-locking systems
Replace your old conservatory roof with active blue glass and save on noise reduction and heat loss
Optional 10 year insurance backed guarantee Helpful advice
Men's Shed take on Vandalised Bench Repairs
Braunton Men’s Shed kindly offered to repair the picnic bench seating which was situated on the Tarka Trail behind the Anchor area. Earlier this year the benches were sadly found vandalised and abandoned in the nearby river Caen. The Parish Council would like to convey their thanks to the Men’s Shed
Braunton Parish Council
Clerk’s Office
Chaloners Road
Braunton Devon, EX33 2ES
Phone: 01271 812131
for repairing the benches which have now been returned for all to appreciate and enjoy.
The Men’s Shed is in an impressively rebuilt and refurbished railway carriage, sited by the old railway (which is now the Tarka Trail) on an area provided by Braunton Parish Council in the overflow car park. For further details on the Men’s Shed visit their website brauntonmensshed.co.uk
Email: info@brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Web: www.brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk Facebook.com/BrauntonParishCouncil
Twitter: @brauntonparish
Hours: 09:00 - 12:00 Monday - Friday
Tracey Lovell, Clerk to the Council
Angela Corner, Senior Council Officer
Julie Spain, Admin Assistant
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 7th June 2025.
Annual Council Meeting 7pm Tuesday 13th May 2025
Additional Council Meeting 7pm Tuesday 27th May 2025
No Mow May
No Mow May, a campaign by Plantlife, is one of the easiest ways to help and connect with wildlife, and the perfect way to start supporting nature in your garden (in May and beyond!). Once again, Braunton Parish Council will be taking part in No Mow May to provide vital food needed by bees and butterflies, connecting us with nature and giving nature the best start to summer.
Less mowing also reduces diesel emissions and reduces our fuel costs. The grounds staff will be using this time to prepare other areas for summer and make any necessary repairs within our open spaces.
We would kindly like to remind residents to be considerate to our grounds personnel and to continue to pick up their dog waste and place it in the nearest dog waste or public litter bin - thank you.
On the County verges we will be positioning our ‘No Mow May’ signs which were beautifully designed by children within the community last year. We will continue to work with community groups on the designated wildflower patches in the parish such as the one (shown opposite) behind the Anchor area next to Cawthornes. To ensure public safety we will cut visibility splays when necessary and will continue to cut the recreational and play areas.
Signs designed by the community for the Parish
Please mention EX33 when responding to adverts
COMPUTER REPAIRS
Ollie, the eight-year-old Husky cross Collie, is looking for his forever home at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe Rehoming Centre.
Ollie is a great lad with a big character who is affectionate and enjoys a good fuss. He is instantly friendly with new people and thrives off of human attention. He arrived in Dogs Trust’s care as a stray, and then spent quality time in a foster home as part of the organisation’s Home from Home scheme. Ollie’s carers discovered that he sleeps well through the night, is good with visitors to the home, and has made great progress with his house training. His foster carers described him as ‘the biggest softie they had ever met’. He is currently living on-site at the rehoming centre, waiting for his special someone.
Ollie is happy to jump in the car and explore long walks, as he likes to be busy and on the go. He would benefit from learning recall skills using positive reward training. He loves tasty treats, such as hot dog sausages and cheese. Ollie has been doing well with learning to sit and wait. Ollie is indifferent around other dogs, after meeting and greeting he is happy to just do his own thing. He enjoys playing with a ball in his garden.
Ollie is looking for a home with adult adopters where he is the only pet in the house. His food is very important to him, and he will require space around his mealtimes. He could cope with a reasonably busy home environment, and he would benefit from quiet walks. He is not used to being home alone so any time left will need to be built up gradually. He is a lively boy who settles well in a home environment.
For more information visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/ ilfracombe
SPRAY FOAM REMOVAL FROM
£875.00
If spray foam insulation has been installed in your property, it could affect its mortgageability when you decide to sell. The presence of spray foam between the rafters may make it difficult for potential buyers to secure a mortgage. Additionally, if left in place, spray foam can trap moisture and cause the rafters and timbers to rot over time. Our professional roofing team can safely remove the spray foam from your roof. We will sand down the rafters, fill any damaged wood and treat it to prevent future decay. All spray foam will be carefully removed from your property and disposed of responsibly.
JUST FOR FUN
HIDDEN MESSAGE
Musical Instruments
March’s answer was:
I watch cooking change the cook, just as it transforms the foodLaura Esquivel
CAT OF THE MONTH - TED
Big, beautiful and cuddly 4.5 yr old Ted is a cat who loves some fuss and a knee to sit on. Having come to us because he couldn't cope with another cat in 'his' house, he now needs a new home where he'll be the only pet, and where he'll be living with adults and older children only. Coming from a country home, he would be happiest in a rural environment, away from busy roads. Could find a space for this lovely cat in your home?
For further information please contact:
T: 03453714203
E: barnstaplecats@hotmail.com
W: www.cats.org.uk/barnstaple
F: barnstaplecatsprotection Reg charity; 203644 (England & Wales) SC037711 (Scotland)
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
Georgeham and Croyde Art Group - 890215
Braunton Twinning Organisation - 549828/814532
Braunton Tennis Clubwww.clubspark.lta.org.uk/brauntontennisclub
Georgeham and Croyde Garden Club - 07989841432
Natural Dog Club monthly meeting - 01271 624602 (2nd Wednesday of every month)
Fireball Beach Volleyball - 07583738712 www.fireballbeachvolleyball.com
Church Services (Sundays unless stated)
Beaver Colony - 816780
Scouts (1st Chivenor) - 07826385553
Braunton Sea Scouts - 871374
Braunton Rainbows - 816340
Braunton Brownies - 816340
Braunton Guides - 816340
Cub Scouts (1st Chivenor) - 07826385553
Beaver Scouts (1st Chivenor) - 07826385553
Braunton Caen Rotary Memory Café (last Wed 2-4pm) - Stan 816340
Braunton Lodge of Freemasons - 07947 183919
See Hear Centre, Barnstaple - 01271 373236
Braunton Bowling Clubwww.brauntonbowlingclub.co.uk - 812121
Braunton BMX Club - www.brauntonbmxclub.org.uk
Braunton Youth Club - www.brauntonyouthclub.co.uk
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
St Marys C of E (Croyde). 9am. Tel: 890616
Croyde Baptist Church. 10.30am. Tel: 07969 969 664 www.croydebaptist.co.uk
St Georges C of E (Georgeham). 10.30am. Tel: 890616
Christian Science Society Barnstaple 11am Wed 6.15pm Tel: 323741 www.christiansciencenorthdevon.co.uk
