Issuu

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ILFRACOMBE

magazine magazine OCTOBER 2026

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Land purchase approved by members for new community woodland Plans to purchase land at Slade, Ilfracombe, for a new community woodland have received approval from North Devon Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee. Members approved the proposed land purchase at the committee meeting today (14 September 2026), allowing the council to proceed with the acquisition. The land has a full asking price of £165,000. The North Devon Coast National Landscape has offered to contribute 50% of the purchase price, up to £82,500, through funding that supports the delivery of the government's 30by30 commitment, which aims to protect and manage 30% of land for nature by 2030. The remaining 50% will be funded through the Rural England Prosperity Fund already held by North Devon Council. Cllr Ricky Knight, Lead Member for Climate and Environment, said: “I’m delighted that members have approved the proposed purchase of this land. With support from the North Devon Coast National Landscape and funding already held by the council, we can now take the next step towards creating a new community woodland in Slade. “This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance the local environment, increase biodiversity and create a valuable green space for future generations. We’re keen to ensure local residents are kept informed and have opportunities to get involved as the project progresses." The council will now progress the purchase of the land.

Splash into the Ocean Film Festival World Tour! 20 November 2026 Dive into a night of thrilling ocean adventure! The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is bringing a new collection of captivating ocean-themed films to venues around the UK this autumn. The Ocean Film Festival features a powerful and visually stunning line-up of short films that celebrate the ocean from every angle: above the surface, beneath the waves, and deep into the stories that connect us all to the sea. “As we head into our 13th year, the Ocean Film

Festival World Tour remains a celebration of the ocean in all its beauty, power and vulnerability,” says the UK tour director Nell Teasdale. “Each film in the 2026 programme will offer something special, whether it’s extraordinary adventure, breathtaking marine life or people dedicating their lives to protecting the sea. We can’t wait to bring this year’s line-up to audiences around the UK.” One of the standout films in the 2026 collection is The Raftsmen, an epic story of courage and endurance. Twelve unlikely adventurers from seven different countries come together to attempt a feat few would dare imagine – crossing the Pacific Ocean on three handmade wooden rafts, guided only by the sun and stars. Battling storms, starvation and the psychological toll of life at sea, their six-month journey remains the longest raft expedition ever completed. Now, 50 years later, the original 16mm footage has been restored into 4K, allowing modern audiences to witness the sheer scale of this once-in-a-lifetime ocean odyssey. “It’s always incredible to see audiences come out year after year – not just to watch beautiful films, but to feel part of something bigger,” Nell continues. “The ocean connects all of us, and this event is a chance to celebrate that connection on the big screen.” The Ilfracombe Magazine is not liable for services provided by advertisers or for inaccuracies within this publication. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage due to errors or omissions. Reproduction of content without our prior permission is prohibited.

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We have been caring for older people (65+) in Ilfracombe for over 30 years. Our Victorian house has a homely, informal feel and lovely coastal views. Our staff are key to creating a welcoming, family-like atmosphere where our residents feel secure, comfortable, listened to and valued.

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Ilfracombe bids farewell to Shannon lifeboat after 11 years of service

Ilfracombe has said goodbye to its all-weather Shannon lifeboat after 11 years of service, as the RNLI station moves to a smaller and faster Atlantic 85 to better match the kinds of rescues most often carried out along the local coastline. The town’s Shannon class lifeboat, The Barry and Peggy High Foundation, left Ilfracombe harbour for the last time on Saturday (September 19), watched by a large crowd of well-wishers. People gathered in their droves to see the boat set off for her new home, marking the end of an era for the station and a poignant moment for many who have followed the lifeboat’s work over the past decade. As she departed, the Shannon was escorted out of the harbour by lifeboats from four other RNLI stations. Tamar, Mumbles, Minehead and Appledore — creating a fitting send-off and a visible show of support from neighbouring crews. The departure also brings to an end a long tradition of all-weather lifeboats at Ilfracombe, with the station now transitioning to a different way of operating. Replacing the larger Shannon is a new Atlantic 85 fast rigid inflatable boat (RiB), which will complement Ilfracombe’s existing inshore lifeboat.

The RNLI has said the move is part of a wider restructuring of its fleet, with resources being allocated based on rescue demand and operational needs. As part of that restructure, a new Shannon all-weather lifeboat is being moved to Appledore. Ilfracombe RNLI said its volunteer crews have been training hard on the new Atlantic 85, named Patrick and Dianne O’Connor. The charity said the boat can be launched in minutes and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 35 knots, making it particularly well suited to inshore incidents where speed and agility are critical. The RNLI believes the Atlantic 85 will be better matched to the types of rescues most commonly carried out in the area, including callouts involving kayakers, paddle boarders and swimmers, as well as people — and dogs — who have fallen from the cliffs. While the Shannon was designed for all-weather operations and longer-range missions, the Atlantic 85 is intended to respond rapidly to incidents closer to shore, where many emergencies develop quickly and conditions can change in moments. After weeks of intense practice exercises, the crew has now completed its training and “passed out”, with the Atlantic 85 officially entering service at Ilfracombe. Richard Legg, Ilfracombe’s lifeboat operations manager, said the change has been known for some time, but acknowledged it is not an easy transition after such a long history of all-weather lifeboats in the town. He said, however, that the way lives are saved at sea has always had to adapt to what is happening around it. “This is the start of the next chapter for the Ilfracombe lifeboat service: a different class of boat and a different way of working, but the same commitment and the same purpose — saving lives at sea,” he said. He added that an enormous amount of work has gone into reaching this point and praised the dedication of the volunteer crew members in maintaining the town’s lifeboat service through the changeover.

Photo credit: RNLI/Paul Bateman

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AAAHHHH Autumn is here! Our gardens, as well ourselves are taking a well-earned rest from the struggles through this year's summer heat, working so hard to produces flowers, fruit and vegetables.

Dahlias are best dug up now, as the tubers can rot if left in the wet ground over Winter, so dry them out and store somewhere dry, in boxes, wrapped in newspaper until Spring.

And so it's time to prepare our little sanctuaries for their rest and put them to bed - although, there is still other things to be done for next year - thus, the cycle goes on!

Rake over your grass - if you still have any, and cut with mower blades adjusted to a higher setting. Scarify (rake off) any thatch and leaves and give an Autumn feed that's low in nitrogen, high in potassium and phospherous, promoting strong root growth, rather than weak top growth at this time of year.

But first, the retiring of the garden for winter. Now is the time to collect seed from annuals, before pulling them out for composting. I have just discovered a seed library at my local library - what a marvellous thing!!! I have already donated to this. So if you're wondering what to do with all the seeds you've collected, look for a similar scheme near you. Don't have one? Why not set one up for your village or community great for swapping!

Have a heart for wildlife while clearing up though, and leave a few fallen apples, pears or plums for the blackbirds and robins and pile up a few logs and twigs for invertebrates. Once you've cleared up, you can see where there are gaps or opportunities to plant something new.

Perennials are a whole month's work in themselves. If you have big clumps that need controlling, they can be divided now. Dig around the rootball until it can gently be eased out. Then comes the brutal bit. Take two garden forks and place them, back to back into the middle of the clump. Ease them apart, until the clump becomes two! This can be done several times to make numerous new plants. if you don't have room for them, pot them up and sell at the garden gate, or give away to friends and neighbours. Smaller perennials can be divided less brutally simply pull them apart. Clearing and cutting back is also a major part of Autumn in the garden. Roses can be cut back hard, to give bushy growth next Spring. Check the growing conditions of other shrubs to see how and when they should be cut back - for example, hydrangeas need to retain their old flowerheads to protect the buds below from frost, but some of the old woody growth can be removed to let in air and light. Mulch around everything with homemade compost or chipped bark, to retain water and protect against the coming cold.

Autumn is the best time for planting roses, shrubs and fruit trees, when the soil is still warm and giving roots the chance to settle in and grow strong. Never considered a fruit tree? Even in a small space an apple or pear can be grown as a cordon against a wall or fence - or even along the side of a path as a stepover. The RHS has some great guides online and Rosemoor has Apple Tasting Days at this time of year, to help you choose the one for you!

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North Devon Ramblers walks Saturday 24th October Copplestone Pop Up Walk A circular 8.5 mile walk Details TBC Meet at Copplestone train station – limited parking, train travel recommended. Train from Barnstaple at 09.35am Start Time: 10.15am Estimated Finish: 3.30pm Please refer to our website for further information: northdevonramblers.org

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Flooring Services Supplied & Installed - Contract & Domestic Wet Room Specialist - Commercial Kitchens Luxury Vinyl Tiles Safety Flooring Karndean Specialist Plus LVT Thousands of carpet & vinyl samples Hundreds of remnants & stock rolls Buy your carpet from us for your own fitter to fit, or fit yourself!

Unit B, The Old Bakery, Chambercombe Park Road, Ilfracombe, EX34 9PH Open Saturdays 10am-3pm. Open after 5pm to accommodate those who work - please ring ahead to arrange a time. We’re now on google, open most days except Sunday, phone to check we’re not out on a measure.

Call: 07967 560272 or 07983 311616 Email: ajsjeffery@msn.com & Find us on Facebook In every home, every month FREE. Call: 01271 326694 or Email: theilfracombemagazine@outlook.com

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