Festival goers will be able to try virtual reality (VR) nature experiences that researchers say can help with mental health and pain relief. Dr Sam Hughes of the University of Exeter is to exhibit the benefits of nature though VR, art, sound and film at Glastonbury Festival later this month. The director of Exeter Pain...
An outdoor pool in Devon has been left empty because “mother nature” failed to deliver at high tide, operators have said. Shoalstone Pool in Brixham was emptied and cleaned ahead of the predicted hot and sunny weekend but has yet to be refilled due to the tide not coming up high enough. Operators said: “Due...
From twilight bat walks to early morning moth discoveries, nature enthusiasts in East Devon will have the chance to learn more about wildlife in their local area with a number of events. The Wild East Devon programme is “packed with opportunities to get up close with some of the area’s wildlife”, the East Devon District...
PA Media A rose has been named after Catherine, Princess of Wales to highlight the healing power of nature. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said it called the flower ‘Catherine’s Rose’ to raise awareness of the role that spending time outdoors plays in supporting people’s mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. The floribunda rose has coral-pink...
A reserve assistant found a pink bluebell plant while doing a tree survey at a nature reserve in Devon. Richard Nokes discovered the small clump of pink bluebells at Halsdon Nature Reserve on 16 April. He said it was the first time he had seen pink bluebells. Devon Wildlife Trust said native bluebells are usually...
Reuters The Princess of Wales met a young girl during a walk in Ardura Community Forest in Mull The Prince and Princess of Wales are spending their second and final day on the Isle of Mull with children taking part in an outdoor learning session with forest rangers. William and Catherine celebrated their 14th wedding...
Helen Briggs Environment correspondent, BBC News•@hbriggs Getty Images The swallow is a common summer visitor, arriving in April and leaving in October With what’s being called a mini-heatwave looming for the UK, it’s not just humans looking forward to warmer weather. The warm spell is expected to give a temporary boost to nature as migratory...
Watch: Timelapse of nature mural A new mural unveiled in a primary school library in Devon aims to celebrate nature, community and sustainability. The artwork at Sherford Vale School and Nursery was created by Plymouth-based artist Ellie Johnson, also known as Mrs Murals. It was inspired by original designs created by pupils and incorporates elements...
This weekend,12–13 April, Exeter Quay hosts two engaging workshops as part of Pile Up! Worlds of Stuff, Art Work Exeter’s spring programme at Exeter Custom House. On Saturday, 12 April, Storm Machine 1 runs from 11am–1pm and 1.30pm–3.30pm. Artists Louise Ashcroft and Farmer Glitch lead participants in creating sound instruments inspired by waste and weather....
“Our leaders invent nothing but new taxes, and conquer nothing but the pockets of their subjects.” — Thomas Hodgskin Is government the source of our rights? I fear that today many people would say yes. Not infrequently it is said that the government or the Constitution grants us freedom of speech or press or the...
Andy Reeves/PA Wire Conservationists hope the project will benefit threatened and endangered wildlife, such as water voles A £5m project to boost wildlife and tackle climate impacts has started on land cared for by the National Trust. The Garfield Weston Foundation has delivered £5m in funding to deliver the three year-long project called Turning The...
The Princess of Wales has said nature has been her family’s “sanctuary” over the past year, in a special message for Mother’s Day. Writing on Instagram, Catherine shared her wish to celebrate Mother Nature and the importance of “our bond with the natural world”. A video posted alongside her message mainly features footage of different...
Jake Wallace BBC News, South West BBC Multiple trees fell across Exmoor during Storm Daragh in December Trees felled at a national park in Devon during Storm Darragh are helping support insects, conservationists have said. Exmoor National Park Authority said the storm – which brought winds of up to 88mph (142km/h) in December – caused...