The ACA Forum

Rod Bone has generously provided his estuary bird count for 2011, as listed on the ECOLOGY page.

Try comparing the different years!  Do you see any changes or trends?

1. Post- Christmas clean up along the Tidal Road

Help keep this unique environment special

11.30am Tuesday 27^th December

Assemble at either end of the Tidal Road (Timbers car park or Milburn Orchard) to clear up accumulated rubbish along the Tidal Road.

Please wear suitable gloves, footwear and mud-proof clothing.   Bring rubbish sacks if you have any.  Beware of traffic and send no unaccompanied minors, please.  The Tidal Road can be a dangerous place!

Please  pay attention to the safety guidelines  at http://auneconservation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ACA-BEACH-CLEANS3.pd.

2. Fancy something different? We have walked Loddiswell woods and the old railway track beside the river quite recently but here is an unusual opportunity, courtesy of the AONB team:-

Sounds of the landscape – Avon valley woodlands
Sunday 8th January 10am – 1pm
Organised by South Devon AONB
Explore the woods and have a go at recording your own sound collage, using hand held recorders. Lucinda Guy from Soundart radio will lead this 3 mile walk and show you how to capture what you hear, to tell the story of your journey. Adults £4 child £2.
Meet at Avon Mill Garden Centre,TQ7 4DD

3. South Efford Open Day

Devon Wildlife Trust have an Open Day at South Efford Marsh, the latest reserve under their management,  next month; it will be on Sat 14 Jan from 11am to 3pm with guided walks around the site, and hot food and drinks.  Booking is advised, through Dan Smith (see below).

The event is not solely for DWT members, so please do pass on details to anyone involved with the ACA – especially if they were unable to attend the launch event in the summer.  DWT will be happy to see as many local people as possible at the event; it will also be advertised in Aveton Gifford as well as promoted in local press and websites.

If you have any questions about the South Efford event, please don’t hesitate to contact Dan Smith (details below).

Dan Smith
Individuals Fundraising Officer
Devon Wildlife Trust
Cricklepit Mill
Commercial Road
Exeter  EX2 4AB

dsmith@devonwildlifetrust.org

Direct Line: 01392 260859

Switchboard: 01392 279244
Fax: 01392 433221

For an insight into the delights and rewards of farming at Folly Farm by John Tucker, taken from the AONB’s 50th anniversary scrapbook, please click on the link below, admire the photograph and play the sound clip:-

http://www.goldendays.org.uk/farming-forestry-fishing-and-food/ten-estuary-tales-no-3-farming-the-coast/

Many thanks John!

Following the popularity in February of the Oyster Shack as a venue for a reunion, we have arranged for a repeat performance on 25^th November.  We shall be taking advantage of the excellent 3 courses for £12 offer again, as per the details below.  If you would like  oysters (instead of the starter)  or a side dish (as an extra) please include this in your advance order as we are trying to simplify the procedure on the day in order to serve everybody promptly.

Click here to see the menu – Oyster Shack 251111

This will be a members only event.

ORDER DETAILS:-  Please place your orders with Ros Brousson (01548 550792 or brousson@btinternet.com) by 18^th November.   Payment for whatever you consume should be made direct to the Shack, on the day.  Any cancellations after 18^th November will incur the full cost of the order.

To help you work up an appetite, there will be an ACA beach clean on Cockleridge, Bigbury on Sea,  on Saturday 19^th November, 2.00-3.30pm.  High tide will be around 12.30pm.  These clean ups are always an enjoyable social event, usually in fine weather (!), and provide a warming sense of righteousness – well worth the effort!  Please bring your friends along.

An important message from Aveton Gifford Parish Council (AGPC) to boat owners:

The appearance of Bridge End creek and access to the Avon Estuary from the creek has been increasingly limited by abandoned and neglected boats, kayaks and canoes.  Some items may have been fly-tipped, whilst others have come to an end of their useful life.   The best way of dealing with this situation has been the topic of several discussions over a long period of time between AGPC, the Aune Conservation Association and the Duchy of Cornwall; all are agreed on the course of action now being taken by AGPC.

Some items have been removed to Timbers Car Park in Aveton Gifford on recent tides, and can be viewed there until October 31st.  If you wish to identify and claim an item please call 01548 550301  or 01548 550907.  Arrangements have been made after that date for disposal of unclaimed items.