WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN THE TEAM? WE NEED A DELIVERER IN YOUR AREA. INTERESTED?
One of the greatest joys of rural life is the rich tapestry of stories, events, and traditions that weave our villages together. Here at Rural Reach, our mission is to celebrate that tapestry, and we need your help to do it. This magazine is delivered to thousands of homes across North Devon’s villages. But to truly reflect the spirit of our communities, it needs to be filled with your voices, your news, and your experiences. Whether it’s a village fête, a local society’s upcoming meeting, a charity fundraiser, or even a story about a remarkable neighbour, Rural Reach is your platform to share what makes our area so special.
Perhaps you’re part of a gardening club, a choir, or a sports team. Maybe you have a story about a local hero, a bit of village history, or a new initiative that could inspire others. No piece is too small, and no subject is too niche If it matters to you, it will interest others. Our readers love to hear about the people, places, and events that make rural North Devon unique
We also welcome contributions from budding writers and photographers. If you’ve got an eye for a great picture or a knack for telling a good story, we’d love to showcase your work in these pages Rural Reach should be a true reflection of our area, and that means including as many local perspectives as possible
And as always, I’m still on the lookout for reliable distributors in each village If you fancy earning a bit of extra income and playing an important role in connecting your neighbours, please get in touch Distributors are the backbone of Rural Reach, ensuring every home gets its copy on time each month.
So, if you’ve got news to share, a story to tell, or simply want to get more involved in village life, I’d be delighted to hear from you.,
Your contributions will help make Rural Reach a magazine that truly belongs to its readers.
Thank you for helping us keep the heart of rural North Devon beating strong.
A word to local businesses: Rural Reach is made possible entirely by advertising revenue Without the support of local advertisers, we simply couldn’t produce or deliver this magazine to every home If you run a business and want to reach thousands of engaged, community-minded households, we’d love to help you connect with your neighbours. Advertising with us not only supports your business but also helps keep this valuable resource free for everyone in the villages we serve.
If you have any suggestions about content, would like to deliver in your area or would like to advertise ,please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call the office on 01271 326694 or email ruralreach@boomboommedia.co.uk
Warm regards,
Graham Harris
Publisher, Rural Reach Magazine
A Kitchen Makeover from Kitchen Edit can save you as much as 60-80% compared to a new kitchen install, without compromising on quality Our replacement kitchen doors, paints, and vinyl wrap are manufactured from premium materials to ensure long-lasting finishes and a kitchen you’re going to love. We offer hundreds of different colours and vinyl finishes, so you’ll be spoilt for choice! But don’t worry – we’ll do our best to help you
Whether you’re looking for a Kitchen Respray, Worktop Resurfacing, Kitchen Vinyl Wrapping, or a full makeover, we’ve got you covered, and with minimal disruption Work can be completed on site in as little as three days, with no dust and no mess thanks to o dustless sanding and paint extraction. When you choose a Kitchen Respray and akeover from Kitchen Edit, you choose a much greener option compared to a full kitchen replacement. It means your existing kitchen units stay out of landfill, reducing waste and cutting down on the environment impact that comes with fabricating and
transporting brand-new units
What’s more, any old kitchen doors we replace will go straight to our door library at our workshop in Crediton If they match any future projects, we’ll give them a second life. If not, we’ll repurpose the materials for other kitchen units wherever possible.
As we’re a local, family-run business that cares, it’s all part of our commitment to reducing waste and making sure your Kitchen Refurbishment in Exeter & the South West is as environmentally-friendly as possible.
At Kitchen Edit, our aim is to become the goto kitchen refurbishment company in Exeter & the South West We are a small but mighty team of five professionals, dedicated to delivering a high-quality product with exceptional customer service Our ethos blends traditional values and a modern approach, so you get the best of both worlds We care deeply about our work, our clients, and our team, and make sure every valued team member gets sufficient experience in all areas as they progress. Our systemised work process is managed by a great software system, both in the workshop and on site. This allows us to maintain consistency of products, and communication with our clients and team members, ensuring the best possible result every time At Kitchen Edit, we believe we are only as good as our last job.
We’re delighted to introduce Hannah Barnett, a true local talent and the newest voice at Rural Reach. Growing up in North Devon, Hannah’s creativity was shaped by her mum’s eye for photography and her dad’s passion for the great outdoors It’s a blend that shines through in her writing thoughtful, observant, and always rooted in a love for community and nature Hannah’s journey as a writer began with four years of dedicated journalism study, described by her as the most inspiring chapter of her life so far. Her experience spans from covering Parisian fashion trends for House of Solo magazine to exploring innovative design for Darling Magazine, and contributing to the local Barnstaple Insight magazine. She’s also lent her skills to causes close to her heart—volunteering with Cats Protection, promoting eco-friendly living in the Landkey newsletter, and sharing her mountain adventures on her dad’s website, Peaks and Trails.
Whether she’s delving into local stories or championing the countryside we call home, Hannah brings a fresh, insightful perspective to every piece she writes. If you’re looking for a passionate, creative freelance writer, Hannah’s always keen to take on new projects and expand her horizons.
You can reach her at: hannahbarnett67@icloud.com
Whether you’re a local that’s familiar with our unique coastline, or a visitor who is keen to dip their toes in and learn more, North Devon has a handful of opportunities and activities to try before this summer ends
However, it is crucial we do this mindfullyprotecting our ever-warming planet, and limiting ocean plastics can be somewhat trivial. This article aims to change that for you, as I list some of North Devon’s most idyllic spots - places where natural beauty meets eco-conscious living
Starting off with dreamy sweet-treat locations - perfect after a cycle along the Tarka Trail or an energy boost after a dip at Saunton 51
Degrees North Coffee Company, based in Braunton is a mobile coffee van that serves organic and fair - trade goods. Not only is their coffee and cake contributing to the world’s welfare (and our taste buds) but there is no palm oil in the ingredients, meaning they are taking triple action for our planet. Woolacombe, one of Devon’s most popular seaside towns, has also got a special spot for enjoying a cuppa Meraki Coffee Co serves its customers with compostable cups including re-usable ones for their regulars. A pleasing addition to this cafe is their sparing idea with their coffee grounds, they happily give leftovers away for renewable garden usage.
Moving away from sustainable calories and pleasant sips of a warm cuppa, it’s no secret that surfing in Devon is a proud activity we all have at least tried once But how can we keep doing this while keeping our oceans as fresh as they can be and protecting marine life? Well, as a county, we have recently held the distinction for being in the World Surfing Reserve (first in the UK) - a designation that protects waves and coastal areas - so we’re already doing a pretty good job. Understandably, having the newest,
strongest and stand-out surfboard while doing this is everyone’s priority (even if they won’t admit that). However, this summer we can make active choices to use boards that are sustainably made, for example ones that are made from bamboo, cork or recycled foam Electrofish Surfboards in Westward Ho! is a great place to shop for your new board.
For the more family-focused readers a great day out during the school holidays is at Quince Honey Farm in South Molton - the small farming town. It doesn’t just teach the wizardry of honey creation and the magic of a bee’s life, but teaches the new generation the importance of pollinators. This key information is inspiring and illuminates the value of sustainable farming and nature. These are just a few of the wonderful spots around our county that have the planet’s heart in their mind. Try them out, take time to actively make sustainable choices and enjoy our coastline
Moo recently read a book by Guy Shrubsole entitled “The Lie of the Land” With “kindness” he lent it to me.
I have to say that it isn’t an easy read for a landowner – even relatively small landowners like us, as he really has an axe to grind, and doesn’t hold back!
Some points we have sympathy for include the large landowners that don’t bother about practices that involve the degradation of upland peat reserves – something that runs parallel to the burning of fossil fuels in how it affects climate change. Also, the almost unregulated release of around 50 million pheasants annually for the ‘shooting industry’. This latter one being a little tricky
for me, as I have friends and family that have work as a result of the money generated by these enterprises.
But Mr Shrubsole is a campaigner and the areas of the book that leave me uneasy are obviously because he writes with the intent to aggravate!
His critique of the industrialisation of agriculture is a not uncommon one Moo and I feel there are changes happening to this. But at the same time the origins of this can be seen to stem from the threat to our food supply during the Second World War. Plus, successive Governments have been happy to encourage the results, partly because it has helped keep the cost of food (relatively) low
Earlier this year DEFRA launched a consultation on the long awaited ‘UK Land Use Framework’. I feel sure Mr Shrubsole had his say! And judging by his book I would guess one of his ‘suggestions’ would be to stop using low grade land for agriculture. He argues that the per Hectare yield of calories from this land is very low. Agreed, but firstly the ‘food’ yield of this land is protein rather than calories; secondly, while bad agricultural management of this type of land can be very detrimental, good management can be very beneficial. It is curious how Mr Shrubsole seems to ignore how some of his sweeping solutions can be financed – but that’s fine if your role is just to antagonise. With limited Government resources my personal view is to support good practice for ‘land sharing’ on marginal land, where both agriculture and nature benefit
“No Foul by the Fowl” – Cluck cluckandmoo@mail com
Residents across North Devon’s villages may be surprised to learn that the fields and lanes we know so well once played a part in a remarkable story of pottery, trade, and discovery reaching as far as Ireland and the Americas. Now, thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is launching the “Potted History” project, shining a light on our region’s pottery legacy and inviting people to get involved. The project, made possible by National Lottery players and supported by North Devon Council and Devon County Council, will unlock the secrets of more than fourteen archaeological digs carried out in Barnstaple during the 1970s and 1980s. Among the finds are centuries-old pots and even 17th-century kilns, evidence of a thriving trade that once put North Devon on the map far beyond the parish boundaries.
For many years, these discoveries have been carefully stored away, waiting to be explored and shared. The Potted History project now aims to digitise and publish these artefacts, documents, and photographs, making them accessible to all. Importantly, the project is rooted in community involvement: there will be volunteering opportunities, skills training,
and hands-on workshops, giving local people a chance to try their hand at traditional North Devon pottery techniques A post-excavation archaeologist will lead the first phase, working alongside volunteers to process and catalogue the finds. Training will be offered in archaeological methods, and a detailed report on the Barnstaple Library site will be published, paving the way for a broader three year plan to bring even more of North Devon’s hidden history to light. As Alison Mills, Director of the Museum, explains: “We’re thrilled to begin sharing Barnstaple’s potted history with our local communities. Thanks to this support, we can open up opportunities for learning, volunteering, and celebrating North Devon’s unique place in history ” Whether you have a passion for history, an interest in pottery, or simply want to get involved in a project that celebrates our rural heritage, the Museum welcomes your support. To find out how you can volunteer, donate, or simply learn more, visit barnstaplemuseum.org.uk/support-us.
A special display on the Potted History project is currently part of the Museum’s “Digging Deeper” exhibition, open until 4 October 2025 Admission is free
