Everywhere I look I see patterns in the frost and cold.

Here are just a few from Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon.

Posted via email from robertz

North Devon is a beautiful place in which to live and run a business, but it’s not always so easy to do the latter.

There are a number of initiatives under way to help businesses in Ilfracombe.

Ilfracombe Business Forum

After two public meetings, moves are under way to establish the Ilfracombe Business Forum to provide the town’s businesses with a voice.

Why is this important?

Well, at the moment, when a council or other agency makes a decision, there is no often no representation from the town’s businesses to express their views. A forum would enable businesses to voice both their concerns and requirements. Also, with public sector cutbacks, future developments in the town will have to be driven by business.

A further meeting is being scheduled for January 2011, but I have volunteered to help get details of as many businesses as possible so all can be invited to the meeting to decide how the forum should be constituted and what should be its aims.

If you would like to be involved or kept informed, please send me your email address at rob…@z2z.com. You details will be forwarded to Transform, who are coordinating the process, although the Ilfracombe Business Forum is attended to run itself once established.

Workhubs research

North Devon+ is currently funding research into whether Ilfracombe needs a workhub. A workhub would provide office facilities, support services and other help to home-based business and new and other businesses.

Again, this research requires as many businesses as possible to participate, so please visit devonworkhubs.co.uk and complete the survey. (Devon Council County is funding research into Barnstaple and is asking businesses there to participate too.)

Participating in both programmes could help us move to building a stronger economy in Ilfracombe and North Devon.

Posted via email from robertz

The recent rains have fuelled the streams and rivers in North Devon. Travelling from Ilfracombe to Barnstaple this past week has involved driving through flooded roads and lanes, whichever route was chosen.

In Bicclescombe Park, the East Wilder Brook is flowing fast and I was reminded of some video footage I took in July 2009. I’ve just looked it out and uploaded it.

The park is always an interesting place at any time of year. Most of the time the brook, the millstream it feeds and the duck pond and boating lake are peaceful and still, but when the torrents rush down from the hills to the sea, the turbulence is impressive.

It is easy to see why the mill, now tea rooms, was built here and I wonder why we no longer use this source of energy.

Posted via email from robertz

Such a beautiful day, although the ducks in Bicclescombe Park this morning did not too lively and one stared me out . . .

How do they manage to withstand the flow of water?

Everything seemed so sharp and the trees stood majestically in the sunlight . . .

Later on, as the sun went down, it became chillier and greyer, but still clear enough to snap views of Ilfracombe and the fishing boats in the harbour from up Hillsborough . . .

Posted via email from robertz

It’s been a dry year in comparison with last year when we we’re having our roof replaced, but today we had some impressive rain in Ilfracombe with thunder and lightning and hailstones.

Having got drenched taking the dogs out in the morning, I was prepared to get drenched again this afternoon, but I was spared.

However, the contrasting bands of light and dark and the drama in the skies were fascinating.

Posted via email from robertz

. . . I saw the sunrise from Hillsborough in Ilfracombe and took some photos as it was a beautiful morning . . .

Then I came down the hill the other side, overlooking the town, harbour and St Nicholas Chapel and lighthouse, which is the oldest working lighthouse in the UK . . .

Posted via email from robertz

See photos of Studio Theatre’s and Small Pond Production’s forthcoming North Devon premiere of Mack and Mabel at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe on 14-16 October 2010.

See more details at studiotheatreonline.org.uk and book tickets at the Landmark Theatre online or from the box office on 01271 324242.

Posted via email from robertz

Posted via email from robertz

. . . looking east from Hillsborough in Ilfracombe . . .

. . . and looking west . . .

. . . taken on 24 September 2010 in North Devon

Posted via email from robertz

. . . different views of Ilfracombe and the sea a beautiful colour today.

Posted via email from robertz