Rare butterfly on Exmoor

One of the rarest species of butterfly in the UK, the Heath Fritillary (above), has been spotted at a new location in Exmoor National Park. It was seen by a visiting holidaymaker and verified by the group Butterfly Conservation who work in partnership with the national park.

A long-term project to restore oak coppice has seen them breeding at Hawkcombe Wood for several years, but this sighting was around five miles away at Ashton Cleave.

Traditionally known as the ‘woodmans follower’ because of its habit of occupying recently coppiced areas, the nationally rare Heath Fritillary has also been recorded at Heddon Valley on the North Devon coast.

Senior Woodland Officer for Exmoor National Park Authority Graeme McVittie said, “This bodes well for potential colonisation of other local habitats, historically occupied by this rare and beautiful species of butterfly.”

Molton Monthly is proud to be an Exmoor National Park Partner, promoting sustainability and work to restore nature.

What’s On - August 2024 pages 11 - 17

Please contact event organisers before attending, as details are subject to change 1st to 5th - 10am Rail Fest 2024, celebrating the 170th anniversary of the Barnstaple to Exeter railway line, at Barnstaple Guildhall and Pannier Market (ends 3pm)

1st - 9am Free bike security marking with the Police at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 1pm)

1st - 12pm Concert with Rackenford Rascals Brass Band at South Molton Parish Church

2nd - 10am Nature Art & Journaling - free drop-in workshop at South Molton Library (advert page 60)

3rd - 2pm 102nd Umberleigh Garden Show, fete, dog show, car boot, photo comp at the village hall

4th - 10am Flea Market at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 3pm)

4th - 10.30am Woodland Working Parties at South Molton Community Woodland (ends 12.30pm)

4th - 2pm Romansleigh Revel & Dog Show at Romansleigh Barton (ends 5pm)

6th - 6pm (gates open 4pm) ‘The Secret Garden’ outdoor theatre at Castle Hill Filleigh (advert page 14)

6th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Methodist Rooms (for village hall) - info 01769 540036

7th - 8am North Devon Show at Umberleigh Barton Farm EX37 9DX (advert page 12)

7th - 10am Coffee Morning for North Devon Hospice at SMART Swim Centre, Mill Street (ends 11.30am) 10th - 10am Tool sale at the Men’s Shed, Cemetery Workshop, Mill Street, South Molton (story page 29)

10th & 11th - 10am VJ Weekend at Cobbaton Combat Collection, Chittlehampton (ends 3pm)

10th - 2pm Chittlehampton Fete & Family Dog Show at the cricket ground (advert page 16)

10th & 11th - 7.30pm The Wedding Singer musical, The Landmark Theatre Ilfracombe (2.30pm matinee) 11th - 10am Brendon Show (EX35 6LP) Horse & sheep classes, dog show and family fun events

11th - 10am North Devon Festival of Transport at Victoria Park, Bideford £5pp/U16 free (ends 4pm)

11th - 3pm MusicWorks - recital by two student quarters at Barkham Exmoor: barkham-exmoor.co.uk

13th - 10am South Molton u3a coffee morning; featuring ‘Now I Belong to Me’ with Christine Wallach at Filleigh Village Hall (members only)

13th - 10am ‘CommuniTEA’ One South Molton drop-in service at South Molton Library (ends 11.30am)

13th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at The Coaching Inn, South Molton (for Chittlehampton VH) - 01769 540036

14th - 8am Exford Show - traditional Exmoor country show at Court Hill, Exford: exfordshow.com

15th - 10am Benefits Clinic with Age Concern at the Amory Centre, South Molton (advert page 16)

15th - 12pm Coding Workshop - make your own video game, at South Molton Library (advert page 60) 15th - 7.30pm Bingo for Chittlehampton Village Hall funds, at Umberleigh Village Hall - 01769 540036 16th - 6.30pm (gates open 4.30pm) ‘A Winter’s Tale’ outdoor theatre at Castle Hill Filleigh (advert page 14) 17th - 9am Free bike security marking with the Police at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 1pm) 17th - 12pm Open Mic/Acoustic Sessions, Coaching Inn, South Molton: southmoltonacoustic.co.uk

18th - 9am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 2pm)

19th - 7pm South Molton Sisters W.I. monthly meeting at the YMCA - fun, tea and nibbles (ends 9pm)

20th - 10.30am Parkinsons Café for sufferers & carers at South Molton Library: 01769 572380 (ends 12pm)

20th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Methodist Rooms (for village hall funds) - 01769 540036

21st - 2.30pm Withypool Flower Show & Fete held by the River Barle, fun for all the family

24th - 7.30pm ‘Dance with Ben’ at North Molton Victory Hall - tickets £7.50 on the door

25th - 12pm Beer, Cider & Gin Festival at The Exeter Inn, Chittlehamholt

27th - 7pm Slimming World re-launch session at South Molton Rugby Club (advert page 17)

27th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Methodist Rooms (for village hall) - 01769 5400036

30th - 7.30pm South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club with David Ingley - Methodist Church Hall

31st - 9.30am Summer Fair at South Molton Library - refreshments, tombola, book/craft sale (ends 12pm)

31st - 9.45am 100th anniversary Summer Show at North Molton Victory Hall (advert page 16)

31st - 10am Car Boot Sale at South Molton Community College £6/£10 - email: lettings@smcc.devon.sch

Bishops Nympton Parish Hall - advert page 14; Filleigh & Heasley Mill Village Halls - adverts page 60

South Molton Library - events advert page 60

Create ‘n’ Chat Group 2pm-4pm South Molton Church Hall, Duke Street 8th & 22nd - info; 01769 574187

Police drop-in: 10am-12pm 5th Chulmleigh Town Hall; 9am-1pm 1st & 17th South Molton Pannier Market Scrapstore YMCA South Molton Drop-in Craft Sessions; 10am-1pm 9th & 23rd; £2 donation requested South Molton Sisters W.I Craft & Natter Amory Centre garden room 10.30am-12.30pm; 3rd-7th-17th-21st

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