|
Local Community Members
Meet Amy Roberts, the new North Devon Biosphere Animator for Chulmleigh, Ashreigney and Riddlecomb
A. In a nutshell, it's about helping communities to achieve their nature recovery pledges and plans. Getting people into action; talking to young people about their plans for a green economy; working with people to come up with ideas.
Q. What attracted you to the job?
A. I really want to get more people of all types and ages interested in nature and the environment.
Q. What makes North Devon such a special region when it comes to connecting people and nature?
A. A lot of people come to Devon because of its nature, we are lucky to be blessed with amazing landscapes and unique niche environments that are habitats to some amazing creatures.
Q. Favourite part of the job so far?
A. Being able to indulge in helping nature recovery.
Q. Do you have a favourite place in North Devon?
A. Not really, although there are some very special spots that are just perfect to me and they are just a walk from my home. Of course there are lots of very special places around here.
Q. What are some of the best ways to connect with nature here?
A. So many different ways, literally from feeding the birds in your back garden (you can easily get gold finches, green finches, marsh tits, siskins, nuthatches, woodpeckers come to you in this area) to hiking across the moors and finding incredible valleys and woodlands, coastlines. So many ways to connect with nature in North Devon.
Q. What is you favourite animal in North Devon?
A. I'm really into birds – I get huge pleasure seeing swifts in the summer… Also - Grasshopper Warbler - I’m always thrilled and amazed when I hear that they are in the Ashreigney area.
Q. What is your perfect weekend (when you aren’t working)?
A. Romping through undergrowth with binoculars.
Q. How can people get more involved in the Biosphere?
A. There are lots of events that are organised by the biosphere and its partners; lots of different community groups that are doing great things; you may want to visit some of the recommended places; you may need some advice; we are a friendly and helpful bunch of people.
Q. What are your hopes for the future?
A. That we have compulsory education of the natural world and sustainability so that future generations don’t struggle to understand the importance of what we have and what is at stake.
|
Meet Elisha Connolly and her mum, Lynne Stokes, the wonderful duo who run the newly opened Station Yard Farm Shop at Eggesford
A. If it wasn’t for the support of the local community we would have been in pieces. We have struggled to cope to be honest and it really knocked the wind out of our sails. We had to make difficult decisions in our initial weeks, to try and limit any wastage we postponed a lot of our fresh orders and had to be careful with any spending as there was limited income. We then had the snow which meant we couldn’t receive our deliveries for another week. When all our produce started arriving it was very exciting but then we had another challenge as darragh took the power and we had to move all the fridge and freezer contents to other locations. We were very lucky to have people step in to help us and accommodate all the stock! So a big thank you to Sim, Emily and Amy for literally saving our bacon. The lovely thing that has accompanied these challenges is that we have been overwhelmed by messages of support and the kindness of the community we are becoming a part of and it has really warmed our souls and can’t wait to settle into some form of normal…. Whatever that is.
Q. What was the inspiration behind setting up the shop?
A. We are lucky to be surrounded by very talented and passionate people who create, grow and produce some amazing things and it was becoming frustrating to watch dreams dampen and wonderful activities lose momentum because the link between producer and consumer seems so difficult to penetrate. I really wanted to provide an outlet for ‘the little one’ giving people with a creative hobby or green fingers a place and an opportunity to sell their stuff, a reason to create.
Also I couldn’t get my head around how and why village shops have become outlets for sugary drinks and pre-made sandwiches.. in them we find milk from Cornwall at best, veg from Europe and heaps of mass produced sugar variants.. but why? When some of the finest stuff going comes from Devon! I think I complained to anyone who’d bear me for about a week before seeing the station yard site unoccupied… which I again couldn’t understand.. why was it empty? Why was no one doing it? Then I remembered “be the change that you wish to see in the world” and mum, being the supportive and optimistic being that she be, jumped or board without hesitation. Now here we are… trying to do retail!!! Hoping to bring local and ethically sound produce to you!
Q. Have you worked together before? Do you have quite discreet roles when it comes to running the business. (And do tell, who’s the real boss?)
A. We have never worked together like this before but we have always been close and we have certainly worked through stuff together. We make a good team and support each others ideas.
We don’t have specific roles really as of yet but I like the food side of things and mum is crafty… so that’s where our two passions have created the shop. Neither of us like the computer or accounts.
We actually take it in turns to be the boss! Depending on the day! I am definitely bossier though I’ve noticed … but really mums in charge, obviously. And I’m here to tell her when she’s wrong!
Q. In just one sentence tell us what is your overall aim for the shop.
A. We aim to create a social and vibrant shop for our community to both buy and sell quality local produce and craft in an ecologically conscious fashion that nurtures nature.
Q. What are you especially proud of so far?
A. We are especially proud of the refill station!! As with this method of retail we can bulk buy organic and ethically produced store cupboard items and dried goods, for a good price, pass that saving on to you and dramatically reduce packaging waste. You can also buy as much or as little as you please!! Win win win!!
Q. When sourcing your products, what are the main criteria each one must satisfy?
A. We would prefer everything to be organically produced but ultimately we must see respect for the environment and animals as priority from our producers. As local as possible, I hope this will come closer to home as people come forward with their produce. Some of the cupboard goods are never going to be produced in Devon so we aim to use wholesalers that have a good ethos towards the environment and people, such as Riverford and essential trading Co-op.
Q. Favourite part of the job?
A. Meeting all the wonderful people , restoring my faith in humanity. Being with my family.
Q. What is your perfect weekend (when you aren’t working)?
A. Oh blimey well both mum and I have dogs and love exploring so there has got to be a bit of moor, some sea, good food, family and a fire. We do both love a dance though and before Joia came along we would often go out together in Bristol or London for a good boogie. But it’s been a while!
Q. What can we, the locals, do to help your business really flourish?
A. Come down and see us!! Use the refill stand, make it your shop by offering feedback suggestions hints and tips are always welcome. We do not claim to be experts here, we are learning as we go!
Q. What are your hopes for the future?
A. We hope to encourage people to grow and make produce. We aim to run casual craft workshops throughout the seasons and be part of a community that laughs shares and creates together to make this a world we wanna live in.
|
Meet Ellie Gibson Ferreira: wife, working mother-of-four and a bit of an eco/ sustainability champion here in Chulmleigh
A. A life lived in a way that can continue on, generation after generation.
Q. You have a delightful garden – how do you manage it to attract wildlife?
A. It all began with no mow may, from there I started leaving things alone more. Denis dug in a small pond for me and I began growing plants to attract pollinators. I now leave the last fruit picking on the bushes at the end of summer for the birds to eat and my dead sunflowers stand throughout winter as natural bird food. I also cut back anything in the spring rather than the autumn, this allows any insects sleeping for the winter to wake up and begin the next year before I disturb their habitat. My garden becomes completely dormant and left alone over winter. I leave the leaves to rot and feed the soil, and in any way that nature can lead the way I don't intervene.
Q. What are your top eco/ energy-saving tips for everyone else out there who is running a busy household?
A. Start small and notice. Small changes lead the way for me.
Firstly, notice if you run the shower or switch on the oven for longer than necessary before using them, do you throw a glass of water away that could go to the dogs bowl or a house plant? Is that piece of perfectly clean plastic OK to cover food instead of buying clingfilm? If so, pop it in a drawer and have it ready.
Another is reduce chemicals anywhere you can. This helps you as much as your environment, you are entirely connected to your own environment after all, you live there as well as the insects that are maybe eating your plants. Ask the question, so if it kills the insects what is it doing to the earth and you around those insects? Be open and notice and see where it takes you
Q. Where do you tend to shop?
A. I use the supermarkets for my main food shop, Vinted and charity shops for clothes. Jim Budden for vegetable boxes and Kelland dairy when they are back up and running. I am mostly motivated by cost with a large family but factor in sustainability where I can. I wish sustainability could be the one priority, but cost of living creates a challenge here.
Q. What is your favourite wild animal?
A. The deer. Just majestic.
Q. What is the best eco-product you use?
A. We use Smol in our house at the moment, but my new little treat is Tropic for skincare. We have a local representative here in Chulmleigh, Karen Chennell, and the company is inspiring with their approach to ethics and sustainability. Also, they are fantastic and really do work!!
Q. What is your perfect weekend?
A. Heading to the beach. I love being in the sea with no phones or distractions and on a beautiful day with clear skies we can enjoy a sunset and the stars. But then a wild stormy day is fantastic too.
Q. What are the top three behaviours do you think we should all adopt in order to live more sustainability?
A. Ask questions. Do I need to buy that? Can I use this somewhere instead of throwing it away? Does my child really need that toy? Why do I feel I should have that? Do I need to switch that on? Could I walk instead of drive? Just begin with questions.
Plant something that will feed someone. Even if it is a simple flower that feeds one bee in a window box, you did something to help.
Do it anyway. If seeing that choices harming the earth, beyond your control, are still happening demotivate you, do those small things anyway. Hearing those things in the media can make it all feel so pointless, but every small change is a change in the right direction. One tree planted is a tree that wasn't there before. One inspired child may have a family, or become a teacher. Keep doing what you can, even if it is as simple as recycling your milk bottles.
Q. As a parent, what do you think is the most important message we should all be giving to our children right now?
A. I am in no position to give out advice on how to raise children, but what I try to do myself is to reconnect our children to nature. In any way I can, I try to teach them the cycles of life, how everything is connected and linked and reliant on each other. Embedding kindness and understanding to every living thing and encourage questioning of how things are done in the mainstream.
Q. What are your hopes for the future?
A. I hope the people in power will wake up. I hope one day affordability and sustainability won't be something we have to choose between. Ethics and eco friendly won't feel like a privileged person's game, it will just be!
|
Meet Gemma Ansell-Nelson, crafter and owner of The Craft Room Workshops & Supplies on Fore Street.
A. I am just as delighted to be here in Chulmleigh. I have been made so very welcome, and it's lovely to hear about all the Artistic talent of the town, and to meet so many new people.
Q. The Craft Room has been through a fair few iterations over the last few years. How did it all begin?
A. After running a very successful Children's Clothing Business for 12 years, in 2023 I felt it was time to take a side step into the wonderful world of Craft. What started as just a few balls of yarn, has developed onto a treasure trove of craft supplies, and now craft workshops for all in Creative Arts.
Q. What does sustainability mean to you?
A. In my business, I want to promote the sustainability of craft, so I choose to practise crafts where I know there is minimal or zero waste. My learners all hear about how my fused glass can be used over & over, and I teach the children in my craft groups that anything can be made out of scraps & recycling to be made into a piece of beautiful art.
Q. In just one sentence tell us what is your overall aim for the shop?
A. To bring people from all walks of life, of all ages and abilities to learn a new craft skill, which will in turn promote wellbeing & happiness.
Q. Wool has to be one of the most under-used and wasted products in this country – how can we used wool more in crafting and our lives in general?
A. Over the past few years, I have familiarised myself in the whole process of wool (from Field to Fashion I like to call it), where I have taken raw fleece, all the way through to a crocheted item. The process showed me that wool waste cane be used for gardens & for wildlife, that it can be used in the home for insulation and such like, and of course to finish off as a beautiful garment or accessory.
Q. Crafting is perfect for good mental health – in what ways can it be sustainable too?
A. Crafting can be sustainable, as handmade is good quality & made to last. I have had people with 40 year old wool jumpers come in to the shop to purchase yarn to mend the holes. It just shows that the Make do & mend movement is not all lost!
Q. Favourite part of the job?
A. By far my favourite part is spending time with fellow crafters, and crafting all day every day.
"If you do something you love, you never have to work a day in your life" - Steve Jobs
Q. What is your perfect weekend (when you aren’t working)?
A. I absolutely love being outdoors with my family, so we try to go on as many adventures as we can. I have 4 horses & 4 dogs (and 4 kids) so weekends are usually full of riding, walking, exploring and having fun.
Q. What can we, the locals, do to help your business really flourish?
A. Word of mouth is by far the best way to help any business. This really is the best way to help my business. Also, just to pop in for a browse for your next craft project or workshop, or a gift for a loved one. We have a small range of local artisan maker's items which are just super!
Q. What are your hopes for the future?
A. I would love to stay in Chulmleigh for as long as I can, as it's such a friendly & supportive town to be based. One day, maybe a bigger space where I can offer drop in Craft Sessions with a safe, warm café space. As long as I can keep crafting, teaching & learning - I am happy!
|
|
