Thank you for your interest in Sustainable Chulmleigh. We very much hope to meet you at one or more of our forthcoming events, or on our Facebook group. And if you would like to get more involved in any of our events or projects please let us know. Email: info@sustainablechulmleigh.org.uk. We LOVE involving more of the community in all we do.

In this edition:

• Upcoming events and current projects
• Highlights from the last month
• Meet Amy Roberts
• Recipes for your winter veg
• Supporting your local community

Friday 1st Nov 7pm:	An evening with Maddy Harland: Permaculture and Rewilding: uneasy bedfellows? Chulmleigh Pavilion
Sunday 3rd Nov 11.30am:	Pond and willow whip planting at Cadbury Cottage
Friday 6th Dec 7pm:	Film Viewing: '6 Inches of Soil' at Chulmleigh Pavilion, followed by Q&A with a local expert panel
Nov/ Dec	Leaky dam building at West Week Farm
Nov/ Dec	Pied Flycatcher nest box building at West Week Farm
Dec/ Jan	Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland New Year Plant Hunt (TBC)
TBC	NEW: Sustainable Chulmleigh Book Group
On-going	Rewilding the churchyard - join our working group - helping to manage this exciting space and plan ideas for its use
On-going	Blue Heart Campaign - Rewilding Britain, garden by garden
NEW	Sustainable Chulmleigh now has its own community allotment space - more on this soon

Hugh Warwick - 'Hedgehog Hugh' and author of Cull of the Wild gave a fabulous talk to a hall over 60 people at The Pavilion in Chulmleigh last month. His talk centered around the question 'Should we kill in the name of conservation?' and with a Q&A that lasted as long as the talk itself, it is safe to say, the event was a huge success. Hugh hopes to return next year with a talk specifically on hedgehogs.

Plant Hunt at Cadbury Cottage - Despite the weather we had a good turnout for our plant hunt at the start of September generously hosted by Jack and David. A walk around their lovely small holding followed by delicious cakes and refreshments in the barn. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday… another event is already being planned for spring!

South Molton Eco Fair - we were delighted to be a part of the first Eco Fair in SM last month - it was great to connect to other environmental groups in the area and discuss our respective projects.

Repair Café - Nish and Nick did stirling work sharpening over 30 pairs of garden shears and secateurs at our latest Repair Café last month. Next one will be around March time.

Q. What does your role involve?
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.

Roast cauliflower with cashew nuts: Recipe - Recommended by Kelly - and she didn't even need to add any cheese!!!!

Pumpkin soup: Recipe - Recommended by Nadja - who chose not to sieve it because she loved the thickness.

Vegan Chocolate Courgette Cake: Recipe - Recommended by Claire (and all those of us who enjoy all her amazing cakes at events)

Stuffed marrow and squash Recommended by Jack. Recipe: (for 4) Prepare two or three rings of marrow and squash per person (peel and take out the middle) Cook a cupful of rice Lightly fry an onion in a wok until soft. Add cashew nuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds and stir Add a few mushrooms and peas/ sweetcorn or similar and stir. Put a small amount of oil in a deep tray, add the rings of marrow and squash and then spoon in the rice mixture. Cook at 200 degrees for 40-50 minutes (covered) and then add a few slices of cheese on top before popping back in the oven (uncovered) for 10 minutes or so. Serve straight away!!

A word of caution about your halloween pumpkins Pumpkins are a delicious food BUT they are a nightmare for the environment. Here's why Huge numbers of halloween pumpkins end up in landfill where, as they rot, they start to produce methane, a HUGE contributor to greenhouse gases. Well over half of the millions of pumpkins bought each year will go to waste!! Read more here from The Sustainable Food Trust and find out ways NOT to waste your beautifully carved masterpieces Pumpkins are not natural plants in our woodlands and while some wildlife may enjoy them it can make others, such as hedgehogs, very poorly. This from the Forestry Commission: "Feeding pumpkins, or any other food in the forest, to birds, foxes, badgers, deer, and boar can make them unwell and can spread disease." Whilst livestock may enjoy a bit of pumpkin, it is actually illegal to feed your sheep, cows etc with any food that has been through a kitchen due to the risk of spreading disease (think Foot and Mouth) - see Gov.UK for more.

Station Yard Farm Shop - Eggesford - Packed with fresh local produce, arts, crafts, gifts and more.

Catkin Blooms - Winkleigh - Pop in for Barista Coffee & Fabulous Cakes. Buy a bouquet of Seasonal Flowers, choose a plant or look at our eco gifts.