Saving Tarka - world leading otter rescue centre to expand

The multi award-winning UK Wild Otter Trust has announced plans to create a second specialist rescue and rehabilitation centre in North Devon. The volunteer-run charity will keep its current site near Kings Nympton, which featured in the original 1979 film ‘Tarka the Otter’.

“Our charity has grown massively in the last 3 years alone and with the increased demand we see the need for a new, larger otter rehabilitation centre,” said founder Dave Webb.

“Our new site will not only be a place for the rehabilitation of rescued otters, but will also have strong elements of sustainability and biodiversity - the existing wildflower meadow will be maintained, a wildlife pond will be created and 500 native trees planted.”

To help, go to: ukwildottertrust.org/donateto-ukwots-new-rehabilitation-centre

The charity has acquired 4 acres of land as part of a five year plan, and the new facility will act as a sister site to the current centre. Since 2016, the UK Wild Otter Trust has helped save more than 200 otters, and has become a world leader in its field.

The new centre will have 25 enclosures, a volunteer building and 4 cub buildings. The expansion means that the wildlife charity will provide 45 specialist enclosures, outdoor cub isolation buildings and 6 indoor cub rooms, giving them a total capacity for approximately 80 rescued otters.

1st - 8pm First Friday Jazz presents the best in live music at Swimbridge Jubilee Hall (advert p16)

2nd - 7pm Bingo with Friends of South Molton Library at The Coaching Inn (doors open 6pm)

3rd - 9am Big Breakfast at Oxham Hall, Mariansleigh Parish Hall: oxhamhall.co.uk (advert page 60)

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

3rd - 10.30am Woodland Working Parties at South Molton Community Woodland (ends 12.30pm)

5th- 7.15pm South Molton Flower Club at Filleigh Village Hall (all welcome)

5th - 5.30pm Kings Nympton Fireworks with bonfire and refreshments at the playing field (advert page 14)

5th - 6pm for 6.30pm North Molton Fireworks with bonfire and refreshments in the Methodist Field (ad p14)

5th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Methodist Rooms (for village hall) - info 01769 540036

6th - 10am Coffee Morning for North Devon Hospice at SMART Swim Centre, Mill Street (ends 11.30am)

6th - 7pm South Molton Fireworks in Central Car Park plus special afternoon market from 3.30pm 6th to 9th - 7.30pm Nomads presents the comedy play Dad’s Army at North Molton Victory Hall (see p43)

7th - 12pm Concert with an organ recital by Chris Beechey at South Molton Parish Church

8th - 10am South Molton Repair Cafe at the YMCA, Mill Street (advert page 60)

8th - 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm) Chulmleigh Rural Cinema presents ‘Swede Caroline’ (15) at the Pavilion

9th - Devon Village Carols events daytime and evening at Filleigh Village Hall (advert page 60)

9th - 7pm Live country music with Laura Kate, Swimbridge VH (£15 inc meal): andyhind711@gmail.com

12th - 10am South Molton u3a coffee morning; ‘I Bet This Never Happened’ with Alex Leger at Filleigh VH 12th - 10am ‘CommuniTEA’ One South Molton drop-in service at South Molton Library (ends 11.30am)

12th - 7.30pm Whist Drive - The Coaching Inn, South Molton for Chittlehampton VH funds - 01769 540036 14th - 7.30pm South Molton Singers & The Petrovian Orchestra perform at the Assembly Rooms (£6) 14th - 7.30pm Bingo for Chittlehampton Village Hall funds, at Umberleigh Village Hall - 01769 540036) 16th - 8am Coffee Morning & Craft Fair at Chulmleigh Town Hall (ends 1pm)

16th - 10am ‘For the love of animals’ Christmas Fair (non profit fundraiser) at Quince Honey Farm (ad p13) 16th - 12pm Open Mic/Acoustic Sessions, Coaching Inn, South Molton: southmoltonacoustic.co.uk

16th - 1.30pm Christmas Craft & Artisan Market at North Molton Victory Hall (ends 4pm)

16th - 2pm Tea Dance with Bett in South Molton Methodist Church Hall (ends 5pm)

16th - 7.30pm Bingo with South Molton Vintage Rally Club at The Coaching Inn, South Molton 17th - 9am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 2pm)

17th - 3pm Barkham Ensemble recital at Barkham Exmoor (Sandyway): barkham-exmoor.co.uk

18th - 7pm South Molton Sisters W.I. monthly meeting at the YMCA - fun, tea and nibbles (ends 9pm)

19th - 10.30am Parkinsons Café for sufferers & carers at South Molton Library: 01769 572380 (ends 12pm)

19th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Methodist Rooms (for village hall) - 01769 5400036

21st - 10am Coffee morning in aid of Cancer Research UK at the Assembly Rooms (ends 12pm)

21st - 10am Benefits Clinic with Age Concern at the Amory Centre, South Molton (advert page 16)

21st - 12.30pm South Molton Lunch Club (age 60+) at The Coaching Inn (advert page 16)

21st - 6.45pm Christmas Bingo, raffle and refreshments at Umberleigh Village Hall (for primary school)

22nd - 5pm South Molton Christmas lights switch on in The Square and Pannier Market (advert page 17)

22nd - 7.30pm Christmas Bingo with South Molton United Primary PTFA at The Coaching Inn

22nd - 7.30pm Eyes down for bingo at Umberleigh Village Hall

23rd - 10am Jumble Sale at South Molton Scout hut (through park) fundraising for new building (ends 2pm)

23rd - 11am Chulmleigh Arts Trail with makers & creators at locations around the town (ends 3pm)

23rd - 7.30pm Christmas Bingo raffle/refreshments for Chittlehampton Twinning at Umberleigh Village Hall

24th - 10am South Molton Festival of Food & Drink at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 4pm)

26th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Methodist Rooms (for village hall) - 01769 5400036

29th - 5pm Winter Wonderland in and around South Molton Pannier Market (see Facebook page for more)

30th - 9.30am South Molton Library Christmas Fair; lucky dip, crafts, tombola, raffle, refreshments (ad p12) 30th - 2.30pm Exmoor Carolers at South Molton Methodist Church (£8.50 entry), then Xmas tea in hall

South Molton Library - events advert page 12; Bishops Nympton Parish Hall - advert page 12; Filleigh, Oxham Hall Mariansleigh & Heasley Mill Village Halls - adverts page 60

Create ‘n’ Chat Group 2pm-4pm South Molton Church Hall, Duke Street 14th & 28th - info; 01769 574187

Scrapstore YMCA South Molton Drop-in Craft Sessions; 10am-1pm 8th & 22nd; £2 donation requested South Molton Sisters W.I Craft & Natter; Amory Centre Garden Rm 10.30am-12.30pm; 2nd-6th-16th-20th

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Advert space donated by Molton Monthly Magazine

Carnival is a ‘triumph’!

Pages 18 -21

Thousands lined the streets to welcome the return of South Molton Carnival on a chilly Saturday evening on October 12th.

The procession was led by town Mayor Jacqui Footman, driven by David Johns in his classic open-top Triumph Herald. Waving to the crowds, she was followed by the team of Carnival Ambassadors in a horse drawn carriage with Jonathan Waterer from Chittlehampton at the reins.

Claire Bracher, owner of Bar27, told Molton Monthly Magazine, “As chairperson of South Molton Carnival Committee I am over the moon with so much great feedback and all of the lovely messages we have received. It means so much to us as a volunteer group.” (Continued on page 20)

“It will certainly push us to bring an even more spectacular carnival to South Molton in 2025.”

The carnival raised funds to help it return next year, and is donating £1,324 to the Rotary Club of South Molton, who supported its re-launch, to distribute to local charities and good causes. “Thank you ‘amazing South Molton’ and to everyone who participated, volunteered and donated to make the carnival what it was - FABULOUS!! It’s been a pleasure!” added Claire.

South Molton Mayor Jacqui Footman praised the organising team and all those who took part and supported the carnival, “I felt very proud and humbled to be mayor at this time. It was a fabulous day and I’m already looking forward already to next year.”

“My most sincere congratulations go to Claire and the Carnival Committee team on creating a lovely atmosphere and bringing off a stunning event.”

South Molton Carnival is scheduled to return on Saturday, September 27th 2025.