May 2026
North Devon Council has launched a renewed crackdown on dog fouling as part of its Clear Messages initiative - a no-nonsense approach to addressing the environmental issues that matter most to residents.
Dog fouling continues to be one of the most frequently reported problems received by the council’s Environmental Health team. Beyond being unpleasant, dog mess poses health risks, particularly to children, impacts play areas and parks, damages community pride, and places repeated pressure on council officers
Recent reports have identified key hotspot locations in Ilfracombe - including Capstone, Oxford Road Park, Cowl Lane, Ilfracombe High Street, Northfield Road and Market Street - as well as Prospect Place, Congrams Close, Park Lane and Rock Park in Barnstaple These are busy, well-used areas where repeated fouling directly affects residents, visitors and local businesses
Oxford Road Park in Ilfracombe is a particular concern. Dogs are not permitted in children’s play areas under the council’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), yet breaches continue despite clear signage The council has confirmed that, if non-compliance persists, additional measures such as enhanced signage and CCTV will be introduced to protect children and ensure the park remains safe and welcoming for families.
The Clear Messages campaign combines strong, direct communications with visible enforcement and community engagement. While the vast majority of dog owners in North Devon act responsibly, those who fail to pick up after their pets face a £100 fixed penalty notice, rising to a potential £1,000 fine upon summary conviction.
Councillor David Clayton, Leader of North Devon Council, said: “This campaign is not antidog The vast majority of owners clean up after their pets and we thank them for doing the right thing. Our focus is on the small minority whose behaviour is unfair on families, responsible owners and our hardworking teams.
"Dog fouling, particularly in children’s play areas, is unacceptable. We will always seek to educate first, but where behaviour doesn’t change, we will take firm enforcement action We also encourage residents to report incidents where possible, as this information helps our wardens tackle repeat offenders and protect North Devon’s shared outdoor spaces.”
Residents are encouraged to help by reporting incidents online and providing photographs, locations and other details such as descriptions or vehicle registrations where it is safe to do so If possible, this can also include a photo of the dog and its owner, but only if it can be done without putting yourself at risk. Evidence from the public is vital in helping officers identify repeat offenders and issue penalties.
The council is also asking residents to support the campaign by following and sharing messages from the council’s Facebook page, helping to spread awareness of responsible dog ownership Residents should challenge inappropriate behaviour only if they feel safe to do so, with public safety always coming first. Through community reporting and proportionate enforcement, North Devon Council aims to reduce dog fouling and protect public spaces across the district
A leading Ilfracombe charity, the League of Friends of the Tyrrell Hospital, is helping to improve the mental health of local schoolchildren and their parents.
The League has donated £1,754 to Ilfracombe Junior School to help pay for a support service provided by Place2Be, a national children’s mental health charity that offers counselling for pupils and parents
“Ilfracombe faces some of the highest levels of childhood deprivation in the country, and the impact on children’s mental health is clear,” says Emma Ravenscroft, the school’s lead for Social, Emotional, Mental Health.
“Place2Be enables us to reach children who might otherwise face long waits for intervention ”
Over 39% of pupils at the school have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)more than double the national average. Social, Emotional, Mental Health needs are the largest single area, representing 17.2% of pupils at the school
Despite this, the support provided by school pastoral staff and Place2Be means that pupils thrive and last year, 56 children benefitted from Place2Be’s support, with 100% of parents reporting improvements in their children’s difficulties following counselling.
“They are doing a fantastic job at Ilfracombe Junior for their pupils, and the League of Friends is very happy to help fund their partnership with Place2Be,” says League official, Terry Elliott.
Place2Be has a specific staff in the school who work with children, mostly one to one, to support them with mental health, emotional and behavioural difficulties Taking pupils out of the classroom for short periods to help them with behaviour regulation and coping strategies means they return to class ready to learn again.
“As an Ilfracombe charity, our aim is to support healthcare in our town,” says League committee member Peter Coats. “By helping pupils and parents at the Junior School, we can do something positive not just for the present – but also for the future ”
Peter Coats and Terry Elliott (centre) present the donation cheque from the League of Friends of the Tyrrell Hospital to Emma Ravenscroft, Assistant Headteacher, Ilfracombe Junior School
Ilfracombe museum is still open for business! We have just started our summer opening hours , 10am – 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, but closed on Sunday and Monday
Most people know where the museum is situated, to the left of the Landmark Theatre, but do you know what our most popular exhibits are?
Top of the list is the two-headed kitten, born on a farm in Ilfracombe and a great attraction for many years
Next is the clock mechanism, rescued when a new clock was placed in Combe Martin parish church tower in the 1930s. Bought in 1734 for £12, it cost another £5.10.1d (£5.50) for erecting and painting, which included £1 for ale for the workers It’s still accurate and the wooden clock face is also on display The bell which sounds the hours was originally the fire bell housed in Ilfracombe town hall. The World War I exhibition which was created in honour of Ilfracombe men who served during the 1914-1918 conflict comes third It’s based on letters sent from the front
by former pupils of St Philip and St James school, now the community centre It’s a poignant reminder of the young men who served so bravely, many of whom never returned from the battlefield.
Photographs of the old Ilfracombe Hotel (aka the Holiday Inn) are also popular. The museum is based in the laundry of the old hotel, demolished in the 1970s, and eventually replaced by the Landmark Theatre It’s a reminder of Ilfracombe’s glory days as a Victorian holiday venue, and later housed the council offices, court, library and exhibition centre until it was pulled down. That’s the top four! Space doesn’t allow mention of the collection of (very) old wedding cake, the ship to shore radio, state of the art in the 1950s, or John Lapenotiere, master of HMS Pickle, the Ilfracombe man who brought home the news of Nelson’s death at Trafalgar. All this, and so much more which we’d love you to come and enjoy. We’d also welcome volunteers so if you’re interested in working with us, please call the museum
Sunday 17th May
Hillsford Bridge to Countisbury and Lynton
A 7 mile circular walk to Watersmeet and Countisbury with one steep ascent.
Meet at Hillsford Bridge National Trust car park.
Start Time: 10 30am
Estimated Finish: 3pm
Tuesday 19th May
Time Out Tuesday – Braunton
A 4 mile circular stroll around Braunton. Meet at the Countryside Centre in Caen Street car park.
Start Time: 6 30pm
Estimated Finish: 8 30pm
Wednesday 20th May
Walk in the footsteps of Hope Bourne
A 6 mile guided circular walk with the Exmoor Society. A chance to learn about the life of Exmoors famous recluse.
Meet at Withypool car park
Start Time: 10 30am
Estimated Finish: 3pm
Thursday 21st May
Landkey to Barnstaple
A Thursday chat, stroll and coffee. Bus to Landkey, walk the Traka Trail back to Barnstaple with coffee in the Museum.
Meet at Barnstaple Bus Station
Start Time: 9 45am
Estimated Finish: 1.30pm
Tuesday 26th May
Time Out Tuesday – Barnstaple
A 4 mile circular gentle stroll around Barnstaple
Meet at Barnstaple Railway Station
Start Time: 6 30pm
Estimated Finish: 8 30pm
Saturday 30th May
Mortehoe Circular
A circular 8 mile walk from Mortehoe along the SWCP towards Woolacombe and inland through Twitchen
Meet at Mortehoe car park
Start Time: 10 30am
Estimated Finish: 3.30pm
Tuesday 2nd June
Time Out Tuesday- Ilfracombe
An evening stroll around Ilfracombe. Meet at the Jonathan Edwards mosaic on the Promenade.
Start Time: 6.30pm
Estimated Finish: 8 30pm
Tuesday 9th June
Time Out Tuesday- Bideford
An evening stroll around Bideford.
Start Time: 6.30pm
Estimated Finish: 8.30pm.
Wednesday 10th June
Exford and Room hill
A 6 mile circular walk with one steep ascent and beautiful views returning along the River Exe.
Meet at Exford Car Park.
Start time: 10.30am
Estimated Finish: 2.30pm
Contracts have now been signed and exchanged to deliver 16 new social rent homes in Ilfracombe, designed specifically for local residents.
Award winning housing association Aster Group has partnered with Ilfracombe Community Land Trust (ICLT) — a group formed by residents to create affordable, secure homes for their community. Working closely with North Devon Council (NDC), the partnership aims to provide genuinely affordable housing and help address the town’s critical housing need.
The new homes will be built on the former Bicclescombe Nursery site, which has been derelict since 1995 All 16 properties will be available for social rent, offering prices significantly lower than private rentals. The
development will include a well balanced mix of homes: eight two bed houses, two three bed houses, and six one bed maisonette style flats, catering to individuals, couples and families
Feedback from local residents has been incorporated into the designs, resulting in a thoughtfully planned scheme that reflects the aspirations and requirements of the community. The development also prioritises sustainability and community wellbeing. In addition to new housing, plans include landscaping, wildflower meadow areas and a bespoke bat house building, highlighting the project’s commitment to biodiversity.
Contractor Poltair Construction started on site in March 2026, with the homes forecast for completion by the end of spring 2027. People seeking affordable housing must register with Devon Home Choice; only those registered will be considered for the scheme Individuals who would like to join and become a member of Ilfracombe CLT can find out more at www.ilfracombeclt.org.uk.
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.
