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Government confirms four unitary councils for Devon

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced its decision on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Devon. Devon will be made up of four unitary councils. These include an expanded Plymouth City Council, which will take areas of South Hams; an expanded Torbay Council to include areas of Teignbridge and South Hams, and an expanded Exeter City Council, which will take in areas of East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge. A new Devon Coast and Countryside authority will comprise North Devon, Torridge and West Devon district councils and remaining areas of East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and South Hams. Councillor David Clayton, Leader of North Devon Council, said: “The Government has today announced its decision on the future structure of local government in Devon. “We recognise that unitary authorities have the potential to deliver more efficient and effective services for Devon and eliminate confusion for residents. “While the government has chosen a different option to the one we supported, we

respect the decision and are beginning work on the next phase of this process. Our priority is ensuring North Devon, its residents, businesses and communities are well represented and will continue to receive the high-quality services they deserve for generations to come. “Work with our partnering councils, staff and stakeholders is well under way as we focus on protecting services and supporting our communities. Throughout this process, we will continue to speak up for North Devon's needs and help shape arrangements that deliver the best possible outcomes for our residents. “In the meantime, North Devon Council will continue to provide excellent local services for our residents while we work towards a smooth and well-managed transition to the new structure on 1 April 2028.” Elections to the new authority are expected to take place in May 2027. North Devon Council will continue to provide updates as plans develop. Rural Reach 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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exhibition at Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon reveals life in North Devon through wartime A new exhibition opening this July at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon offers a unique glimpse into everyday life in North Devon during the Second World War, told through the words of the people who lived it. North Devon’s Home Front Writers, 1937–1945 opened on Saturday 25 July and runs until Saturday 17 October. The exhibition features original diaries, facsimiles, photographs and artefacts from the period. Inspired by the 2025 publication Devon’s Home Front Diaries, 1937–1945 by Dr Todd Gray, the exhibition brings together the stories of ordinary people whose observations have become an extraordinary historical record. Dr Gray, an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter and author of numerous books on Devon’s history, will be at the Museum for a free meet-the-author event on Saturday 1 August at 2.00pm. Between 1937 and 1946, just over 100 men and women across Devon were recruited as volunteer writers for Mass Observation, a pioneering social research project that asked ordinary people to keep diaries and respond to regular questionnaires about their daily lives. Thirteen contributors were based in North Devon, writing from Barnstaple, Bideford, Clovelly, Ilfracombe, Lynmouth, North Molton, South Molton, Westward Ho!, and Woolacombe. While some were holidaymakers, most were residents documenting how the war shaped their daily routines, thoughts and opinions. Now held at The Keep in Brighton, these

diaries offer rare insight into life on the Home Front—covering everything from rations, blackout and evacuees to personal relationships, empire, race and antisemitism. For many contributors, their involvement remained unknown even to their families. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm. Admission is free. Details: barnstaplemuseum.org.uk.

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North Devon Ramblers walks Wednesday 16th September. Little and Great Hangman. A 5 mile circular walk returning to Combe Martin. Meet at Kiln Car Park Combe Martin. Start time: 10.50am. Estimated finish: 3.30pm. Thursday 17th September. A Thursday chat and Stroll. A 3 mile guided tour of some of Barnstaples historic buildings. Meet outside Barnstaple Museum. Start time: 10am. Estimated finish: 1pm Wednesday 23rd September. Hillsford Bridge. A 9 mile circular moderate, varied walk through woodland, river valley and open moorland. Meet at Hillsford Bridge NT car park. Start Time: 10am. Estimated finish: 3.30pm. Sunday 27th September. Mineral Lines. An 8.2 mile circular walk along country lanes and woodland taking in the mineral lines. Meet at The Valient Soldier Pub car park Roadwater. Start Time: 11am. Estimated finish: 3pm. Wednesday 30th September. Landkey Bishops Tawton Circular. A 7 mile walk to Venn and Codden Hill. Meet at Park School car park. Start Time: 10.30am. Estimated finish: 3.30pm. Sunday 4th October Heads, Combes and Woods – The Long but Slow Way An 8.5 mile circular walk through open moorland with good coastal views. Gaitors and poles recommended. Meet at Whitstone Post Car Park. Start Time: 10.30am Estimated Finish: 4pm

Sunday 11th October Culbone Wood, Lepers Gaol and Worship An 8.5 mile circular walk along the SWCP and part of Coleridge Way. Meet at County Gate Car Park. Start Time: 10.30am Estimated Finish: 2.30pm Porlock Weir and Culbone A 5 mile circular wooded walk to the smallest church in England. Meet at Porlock Weir Car Park. Start Time: 10.30am Estimated Finish: 1.30pm Sunday 18th October Finding Benjamy An 8.5 mile moorland walk, mostly “off piste” taking in the Two Moors Way and Hoar Oak Cottage. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. Meet on rough parking at Ilkerton Ridge. Start Time: 10.30am Estimated Finish: 3pm. For more information please refer to our website: northdevonramblers.org

M: 07779 601 574 mark@map-accounting.co.uk www.map-accounting.co.uk

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Dealing with the heatwave What on earth can we do in the garden, in the aftermath of a relentless barrage of heatwaves all summer? Your lawn may be crispy and your veg patch looking curled and brown - but maybe this is the time to start having a re-think! September is a transitional month and we'd normally be thinking about preparing for Autumn, cutting back perrenniels, scarifying the lawn and treating the odd bare patch. But as its highly likely to be one great big bare patch, it could be the opportunity to give your whole garden a complete makeover. The grass, by the way, is tough as old boots and will make a miraculous recovery from drought conditions. But as we start to embrace a new season, and with many garden vistas changed beyond all recognition by the desert-making summer, it might be just the opportunity you've been looking for to completely change the shape of your garden. I've done this, in my own tiny garden, but looking through all my gardening books did make me slightly terrified even try. All that measuring and drawing to scale on graph paper...uh-uh. Not me at all!! So I just got a cheap spiral notebook and sketched out some ideas, inspired by podcasts, tutorials and simply snippets that I'd seen and loved - kind of like a mood board, without the fabric swatches. On the next page I refined it slightly, sketching out my garden, adding in immovable objects like the sun room and disregarding things that wouldn't work. If you have a large garden, you may like the idea of dividing it into 'rooms,' using hedges, or trellises as dividers, so that interesting hidden nooks are created, inviting the visitor to explore. I didn't have the space for that, but with such a small garden I was inspired by the idea that curves and circles could add interest and a

Written by Kate Helyer sense of space, to my otherwise very square and rectangular little plot. And by adding a row of large pots with specimen trees (an olive, a lemon and later a wisteria, grown as a tree for shade), I semihid the seating area behind. The rectangular lawn became a circle and the straight border, a deeper curved affair. This gave me a little space under the kitchen window to add a bistro set, where we can sit and catch the morning rays with breakfast. Visitors agreed, the garden looks more spacious, with plenty or seating for entertaining - and most importantly - I love it!!! So get your imagination going - even if its only to change the shape of a border from a straight line to a curve. And if you're going for a full makeover- begin by making a list of what you want from your garden - is it a place to entertain? A family play area, or somewhere tranquil to sit and hide with a book. Then get sketching - and be prepared to compromise and change your ideas several times over before you even pick up a spade! I must have used half that notebook up, sketching and re-sketching before I was happy with the result - but dont let anyone tell you it can't be done - IT CAN, but you may have to be adaptable! Have fun!

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Lunch club for over 60s at The Red Lion, Chulmleigh

Age Well North Devon (formerly Age Concern North Devon) is trialling a new Lunch Club in partnership with The Red Lion Hotel in Chulmleigh. The Lunch Club is for people aged 60+ and offers a delicious menu of popular dishes like sausages and mash, vegetable lasagne and chilli with rice, with tempting puddings like sticky toffee and chocolate brownie. The meal comes with a hot drink and costs £15 for 2 courses. Held monthly, on the first Thursday of the month, at 12.30 pm. Age Well runs other Lunch Clubs in South Molton, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Lynton and Lynmouth, and they all have one key ingredient: lovely people. Attending a monthly lunch club is a great way of getting out in your community, meeting people and making connections. If you would enjoy a monthly pub meal with good company, please do get in touch. If you look after your partner, and they would like to attend a lunch club while you take a break, please let us know; or come together and enjoy some time with others. Booking is essential; please phone Meryl on 01271 445133 or email meryl@agewellnorthdevon.org.uk Age Well also offers other services in your area, including a Help Desk, Benefits Service, Befriending and Carer Support. Please contact them if you require any of their services.

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CLUCK & MOO: Hard Times

Through hard times, it’s more important than ever to remember the good times and trust that after the dark comes light. Knowing that, in moments of tragedy, we live in a community of wonderful people ready to support us is truly heart‑warming. This July was the driest on record — the driest month in 190 years. It’s a staggering fact that forces us to reflect on the challenges ahead. Looking out the window, the lawns are brown with only hints of green, a sight I’ve never seen before on the home farm. The ground is dry and hard, and these conditions are unprecedented, perhaps even worse than 1976. Managing animals through continual extreme weather is a huge responsibility. This summer’s challenge has been protecting them from relentless heat while providing enough water and food. There’s no perfect answer, and I’ve found it best to adapt our farming system during these events to manage the serious pressures they bring.

The extreme heat in June and July has left us questioning how best to manage our herd in the future. Grazing cows in temperatures reaching the high 20s or mid‑30s is problematic. Should we adapt our grazing system for extreme weather, or accept that grazing dairy cows is becoming less viable? Adapting might mean planting more in‑field trees for shade, especially along cow tracks. Yet in wet periods, this could prevent tracks from drying out. Even with investment, I’m not convinced the problems would disappear — perhaps we’d simply gain a few extra grazing days. During the heatwaves, we let cows wander in and out of the sheds by day and graze them at night, reversing our usual routine. This allowed them to escape the midday sun and reduced long walks in peak heat. Still, temperatures often stayed high into the evening. Like many farms, we’ve begun feeding winter forage early, which may affect supplies later in winter or early spring. Some solutions are simple: opening shed doors and replacing them with electric fencing wire to create airflow, or using sprayer nozzles to mist the cows. If forage runs short, we can sell cows, buy forage, or add straw to stretch supplies. Remaining positive and seeking light through the dark will help us through this hot, dry summer and the winter ahead. Hard times — on the farm or in life — remind us that we don’t always have the answers, and sometimes we must lean on our community and the next generation for guidance.

“As Heard by the Herd” – Moo cluckandmoo@mail.com

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