37 million grant to invest in the ‘green and blue economy’ where we live (page 27).

Serving your community since 2007 December 2021 November 2021 February 2022

Deep blue - epic Atlantic challenge for local rowers

Welcome to the February edition of Molton Monthly. As we settle into another year, it’s heartwarming to be able to feature more amazing local people doing amazing things in this month’s magazine.

Our cover story shows James Bevan from Atherington and Dom Thorne from High Bickington, who are part of a crew rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to raise funds and awareness for mental health charities. At the time of writing they’re facing stormy weather and tough currents, but are getting ever closer to the finishing line in Barbados... one stroke at a time (pages 18-19).

Closer to home fundraiser Jade Kingdom is planning to run uphill 500 feet, alongside the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway to support North Devon Hospice (page 51).

As a North Devon Biosphere Business Partner it gives me great pleasure to report that they are receiving a game-changing £1.37 million grant to invest in the ‘green and blue economy’ where we live (page 27).

The North Devon based UK Wild Otter Trust needs your help as they move into a new home (pages 28 & 29), and congratulations to South Molton Pannier Market voted into the top 10 in Britain for the second time (p22). And finally, good news that most Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted by the government, 2 years after it all began (p54).

As always, please shop local and stay safe.

Pete Robinson, Editor & publisher

Molton Monthly is also published free to read on our website moltonmonthly.co.uk and we have daily news updates on Facebook and Instagram

@MoltonMonthly

What’s Inside - February

P6-7 Photo of the month P8 Queen’s honour for Max P11-14 What’s On P18-19 Rowers’ Atlantic challenge

P22 Pannier Market in UK top 10 P23 Trees planted for Queen’s Jubilee P26 Meadow needed for tribute P27 Grant boost for Biosphere P28-29 New ‘Tarka’ home for otters P31 January gardening tips P34-37 Health & Wellbeing P38-39 Farm Life - pond world P42-43 The real ‘good life’ - part 2 P46-47 Tribute to rugby player Ben Warren P50-55 Community News P60-61 Schools and Learning P62 Index of Advertisers P63 Local Information

South Molton Business Association is open to anyone running or planning to start a business in South Molton and the surrounding 32 parishes. SMBA - ‘promoting investment & growth in the community’. Please visit smba.info to find out more about the benefits of joining us.