North Devon Biosphere day at Merton (Discovery Days)

The North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve will be explored in two Discovery Days:

• Braunton Burrows Discovery Day on Sunday 29 June 2025 (see here), and
• The North Devon Biosphere Discovery Day at Merton on Saturday 5 July 2025 (this page)

The North Devon Biosphere Discovery Day at Merton.

Programme of free activities at Merton, Okehampton, Devon EX20 3EQ

Merton, the venue for this Discovery Day, is one of the villages in the North Devon Biosphere which was recognised by UNESCO in 2002 for its outstanding universal significance.

Merton Village Stores in 1978. Photo: James Ravilious. © Beaford Arts

Morning Programme

Talks and exhibition of North Devon photographs in the Clinton Hall, Merton, Okehampton, Devon EX20 3EQ (clintonhallmerton.co.uk). Merton lies on the A 386 between Hatherleigh and Great Torrington. The Stagecoach 317 bus between Bideford and Okehampton stops at the Clinton Hall which is fully accessible and has free parking.

• 10.00am Doors open.
• 10.30am Welcome and Introduction to the day
• 10.45am – 1.00pm
  • Talk on “Living in the North Devon Biosphere – Past, Present and Future” by Professor Michael Winter OBE, former Chair of the North Devon Biosphere Partnership and author of Land Between the Moors. 
  • Talk on “The Folklore of North Devon” by Mark Norman, the Devonshire Association’s Recorder of Folklore and author of The Folklore of Devon.
  • Introduction to the Beaford Archive exhibition of James Ravilious’s photographs of North Devon 1973–1988 by Simon Timms, President of the Devonshire Association.
    (This exhibition and a bookstall will remain on view in the Hall during the afternoon).

Great Potheridge House

Afternoon Programme

Guided tour of Great Potheridge House, near Merton, Okehampton, EX20 3DN. The house is located on the A386 two miles north of Merton. What3words: fillers.hatter.standards (encompasstraining.co.uk/history-great-potheridge-house/)

By courtesy of Encompass Training, the afternoon programme will provide a rare opportunity for a guided visit to Great Potheridge House, a fine Grade I listed building in the North Devon Biosphere. This 17th-century house was built by General George Monck who was born in Merton and went on to play a leading role in the restoration of King Charles II to the throne in 1660. He also founded the Coldstream Guards.

• 2.30pm Assemble at Great Potheridge House for introduction to the visit
• 2.45pm – 4.30pm
  • “The Life of General George Monck” – talk by Alastair Rice, Director of the Great Potheridge House Activity Centre
  • “The History of Great Potheridge House” – tour with Dr Stuart Blaylock FSA, Independent Scholar and Archaeologist.

Note: Because much of this visit will take place outdoors with limited access to the interior of the house, people should dress for the weather. There are uneven surfaces around the property so the visit is not suitable for wheelchair users. No dogs are allowed on this visit.

Other Afternoon Activities in Merton

• The Beaford Archive exhibition of James Ravilious’s photographs of North Devon will be on show in the Clinton Hall in Merton until 4.00pm
• Scratchworks Theatre will be performing their new family play The Mushroom Show at 2.30pm on the sports field beside The Clinton Hall in Merton. See www.scratchworkstheatre.com/the-mushroom-show. Supported by Beaford, this free show is suitable for children 5 years and up. For further details and to book for this show visit beaford.org/events/mushroommerton.

Booking

ALL DISCOVERY DAYS ARE FREE TO ATTEND BUT BOOKING VIA TICKETSOURCE IS ESSENTIAL

• Booking is now open.  Visit Ticketsource here.
  

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