The current blue-tongue outbreak that is affecting sheep, goats, cattle and camelids (llamas, alpacas etc) in North Devon is likely to have severe practical and emotional effects on many in the farming and related industries, as well as people who have these animals as pets/small herds.
There is a lot of help out there, so PLEASE contact someone if you are struggling. Don't be embarassed or think your issue is not important enough - reach out, as help is available. Remember too that there is no impact on human health, and people cannot get blue-tongue. Also, it is passed not from animal-to-animal contact but via midge bites.
For practical and emotional support:
Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN) Office: 01643 841455 Katherine Williams: 07970 795808
Farming Community Network (FCN) Helpline: 03000 111999
RABI 24hr Helpline: 0800 1884444
Your vet will be able to give practical advice on vaccinations, treatment etc.
There is also the Samaritans 24hr Helpline: 116 123
You can also call or email your Parish Clerk (Ian Fisher, 07784 177666 clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk) as he is engaging with the EHFN.
It is also important to keep checking up on friends and neighbours - just because someone is not talking about the issue, it doesn't mean that they may not appreciate some help. A cuppa and a chat could be just what they need to get a few things of their chest and feel better able to cope.
ROAD CLOSURE WARNING
In case you are unaware, South West Water have closed the road out of the square towards Heasley Mill this morning for emergency work repairing the drain yet again outside Top Cottage. They say it will be a 5 day closure.
We have received no prior notice of this work.
Dr Jack Evans at the University of Exeter is launching a research project focused on the experiences of residents aged 60 and over living in rural Devon, particularly those navigating the challenges of living on a lower or fixed income. The goal of the project is to understand how older adults prepare for and cope with extreme heat (like heat waves). They will use this information to create plans for improving health and wellbeing and protecting against the heat during spells of extreme hot weather.
If you would like to participate, and expression of interest form can be found here.
Message from North Devon District Council
We, the People and Place Team at North Devon and Torridge District Councils, are working together to prepare a new local plan for northern Devon. We have published a notice stating our intention to commence plan-making and a local plan timetable to set out the key milestones of this process. You can find both on our respective websites Local plan | North Devon Council and Planning Policy | Torridge District Council.
The new plan will guide future development in the area, including where new homes, jobs, services and infrastructure may be needed. It will affect everybody who lives, works and visits here.
We have opened a Scoping Consultation to ask our communities and other stakeholders what we should include in the plan, and how we can best involve people as we prepare it.
[SCOPING CONSULTATION EVENT]
The deadline to submit responses is: 17:00 on Tuesday 11 August 2026.
For more information, including our Scoping Consultation Document and details of other ways to submit comments, visit the portal using the above consultation event link.
This Scoping Consultation is the first of multiple consultations we will run throughout this project, and we would very much welcome your input throughout. Your responses will help us understand the issues that matter most and shape each stage of plan-making so that we prepare a plan which reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities.
If you have any questions about responding to the consultation, please contact us at either peopleandplace@northdevon.gov.uk or peopleandplace@torridge.gov.uk.
The yearly Audit Paperwork for North Molton Parish Council is now available under Parish Council, Legal Documents.
The public has the right to look at all of the paperwork associated with this audit (see attachement that details those rights).
The official period is 3rd June to 14th July 2026, but you can contact the Clerk at any time.
clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk
North Molton Parish Footpath Officer, Steph Harris, has created an excellent poster for the public rights of way in the Parish, and two circular walking routes. All are attached here.
If you find a problem on a footpath, if it is in the Exmoor National Park, report it here. Otherwise, report here. Please also drop the Clerk an email so that we can keep track of resolution of issues (clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk).
Please remember that you are responsible for your safety, control of dogs, appropriate behaviour around livestock, and using public and private land with care. You can find the Countryside Code here.
Happy trails!
UPDATE 26th May 2026 - the footpath Limeslake to Holdridge Woods remains closed at the moment because of an unsafe bridge. This is not expected to be repaired until December 2026.
THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION)
ROAD FROM HIGH BULLEN CROSS TO HOLYWELL CROSS, ROAD FROM HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER & ROAD FROM TWITCHEN BALL CORNER TO SANDYWAY CROSS., NORTH MOLTON & TWITCHEN) NOTICE 2026
TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC - DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: From TUESDAY 2 JUNE 2026 for a maximum of 5 days.
No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads. Roads affected - ROAD FROM BRINSWORTHY CROSS TO HOLYWELL CROSS, ROAD FROM HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER & ROAD FROM TWITCHEN BALL CORNER TO SANDYWAY CROSS., NORTH MOLTON & TWITCHEN The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - ROAD CLOSURE WITH DIVERSION, STARTS - TWICTHEN BALL CORNER - WHITE POST - RIDGEWAY CROSS - MOOR LANE - ROAD FROM LATCHGATE CROSS TO ABBOTS CROSS, ROAD FROM ABBOTS CROSS TO BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS, ROAD FROM BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS TO BOMMERTOWN CROSS - B3227 - A361 - NORTH MOLTON R/A - NORTH MOLTON - EAST STREET - BRINSWORTHY CROSS, DIVERSION ENDS & VICE VERSA.
This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - PATCHING WORKS.
For additional information contact: MILESTONE INFRASTRUCTURE Telephone: 020 3307 8051
North Devon Council has launched a renewed crackdown on dog fouling as part of its Clear Messages initiative - a no-nonsense approach to addressing the environmental issues that matter most to residents.
Dog fouling continues to be one of the most frequently reported problems received by the council’s Environmental Health team. Beyond being unpleasant, dog mess poses health risks, particularly to children, impacts play areas and parks, damages community pride, and places repeated pressure on council officers.
While the vast majority of dog owners in North Devon act responsibly, those who fail to pick up after their pets face a £100 fixed penalty notice, rising to a potential £1,000 fine upon summary conviction.
Residents are encouraged to help by reporting incidents online (there is also a link on the main NM website page) and providing photographs, locations and other details such as descriptions or vehicle registrations where it is safe to do so. Evidence from the public is vital in helping officers identify repeat offenders and issue penalties.
The council is also asking residents to support the campaign by following and sharing messages from the council’s Facebook page, helping to spread awareness of responsible dog ownership. Residents should challenge inappropriate behaviour only if they feel safe to do so, with public safety always coming first.
Contact: Sophie Hughes
sophie.hughes@northdevon.gov.uk
Exmoor local housing need questionnaire
The survey is a collaboration between Somerset and North Devon Councils, as local housing authorities, and Exmoor National Park Authority. Somerset Council will be analysing the responses and, later next year, they will prepare a summary report with information on housing need for each Exmoor parish.
A letter with information about an online housing need questionnaire, has been sent to households in Exmoor National Park and Brushford parish. The letter includes a link and QR code to the survey which is designed to be simple and easy to complete. The information provided through the survey will be dealt with in strict confidence. It will be vital to those considering housing need and provision and will help inform the future Exmoor Local Plan review. The survey is aimed at those who might be finding accommodation in the local area unaffordable, whose home no longer meets their needs, or who wish to own their own home through a self/custom build project.
The letter to Exmoor residents also asks that the survey be shared with people who have moved away and want to return, local workers who live away and travel into the National Park to work or who live on Exmoor with family or others because of the cost of local housing. Anybody wishing to set up their own home, e.g. young people approaching adulthood, is encouraged to complete their own survey separately.
Parish surveys have been the starting point for almost 120 homes with a local need occupancy tie, achieved in Exmoor’s communities through conversions and new build and as self-build.
Additionally, local libraries (Dulverton, Lynton, Porlock and South Molton) have access to a computer and will have paper copies for those who are unable to complete an online survey. If requested, we can provide paper copies to parish /town councils for their parishioners who cannot complete an online survey or visit a local library.
Devon County Council has produced a leaflet on recovery from a flooding incident, attached.
