North Devon Coast and Countryside National Trust 

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Nature Hub opening April 2021

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The former Heddon Valley shop, near Parracombe, ran by the National Trust for around three decades was destined for a powerfu transformation after it closed it's retail doors in late 2020.

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The need for a nature interpretation zone and indoor seating became the highlight of the Team's plans and thus I was approached, as a former engagement and interpretation colleague, to add a touch of love...

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...10 days later a new North Devon map mural, a high brown fritillary life cycle mural and painted birds of the Valley on the beautiful Bay windows...

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Map - shows all the Coast and Countryside looked after by the Team, from Welcombe Bay to West Exmoor.

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High Brown life cycle - A poem and illustrative life cycle of how cattle trampling bracken helps to create the ideal growing conditions for dog violet - the food plant for the larvae. I studied the butterfly with this team in 2014 as an MSc degree project, where the findings now influence the future conservation plans of this declining butterfly!

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Birds - from stone chats, to woodpeckers to swallows. I painted the birds in positions how you would find them. I used to be an ecologist and continue to observe their cheeky behaviour!

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Part of the Heddon Pantry, you can soon sit indoors to enjoy a cup of coffee and admire at the landscape, the butterflies, birds and the wildlife recordings on a motion screen!

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I still feel connected to this wonderful team and honoured to be asked by April Braund to complete it. Thanks to Jack Ward (ranger) and Josey Field (ranger) for the ecological, poetic and artist input!

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@NorthDevonNT

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Edited: April 2021

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The Bath Hotel, Lynmouth 

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Hotel renovation 2020 - 2021

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This long standing family owned Victorian hotel business had already been undergoing a modernisation, inside and out, with a maritime and nature orientated theme.

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During Lockdown 1.0, I started painting my walls at home in the form of "The Great Waves of Lynmouth", portholes in the bathroom, animals and lilies climbing the walls.

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I was then approached by the Director, Carly Glover, to add a maritime and Exmoor nature twist in the newly renovated 20 bedrooms, corridors and a visitor map at the reception entrance.

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I have been non stop busy painting since November 2020!! 

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Each room has a special name - The Fernery ( bee orchid and elephant hawkmoth paintings), The Exmoor Snug and Suit (wren, sparrows, stonechats), The Botanist (parasol mushroom) and further found here.

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Discover Exmoor Map - After 7 long days and lots of research and experience, I produced a 0.9m x 1.2m watercolour painting of Exmoor with notable Points of Interest for visitors to plan their stay!  The Purpose -  To contribute towards local conservation initiatives, Carly and the team will print the map into posters where a significant proportion of the proceeds go towards buying trees and support local conservation projects! 

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What a powerful way to help the local environment! Watch this space for more!

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Edited: April 2021

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