Singing Paddles

31/12/2024

Unleash the Adventure: Open the Standedge Tunnel to Canoeists!

24/12/2024

Seasons Greatings

13/12/2024

“Along the Bodensee at Mainau”
Photo by Ruth Hallensleben, c. 1961

09/12/2024

Which two of these do we not see on our Singing Paddles tours in SouthDevon Aonb

Corvid species 🥰🥰.
Ten Unknown Facts About
1. Founding and History: BMW, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, was founded in 1916 in Munich, Germany, initially producing aircraft engines. The company transitioned to motorcycle production in the 1920s and eventually to automobiles in the 1930s.
2. Iconic Logo: The BMW logo, often referred to as the "roundel," consists of a black ring intersecting with four quadrants of blue and white. It represents the company's origins in aviation, with the blue and white symbolizing a spinning propeller against a clear blue sky.
3. Innovation in Technology: BMW is renowned for its innovations in automotive technology. It introduced the world's first electric car, the BMW i3, in 2013, and has been a leader in developing advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and hybrid powertrains.
4. Performance and Motorsport Heritage: BMW has a strong heritage in motorsport, particularly in touring car and Formula 1 racing. The brand's M division produces high-performance variants of their regular models, known for their precision engineering and exhilarating driving dynamics.
5. Global Presence: BMW is a global automotive Company
6. Luxury and Design: BMW is synonymous with luxury and distinctive design, crafting vehicles that blend elegance with cutting-edge technology and comfort.
7. Sustainable Practices: BMW has committed to sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes into its vehicles, as well as advancing electric vehicle technology with models like the BMW i4 and iX.
8. Global Manufacturing: BMW operates numerous production facilities worldwide, including in Germany, the United States, China, and other countries, ensuring a global reach and localized production.
9. Brand Portfolio: In addition to its renowned BMW brand, the company also owns MINI and Rolls-Royce, catering to a diverse range of automotive tastes and luxury segments.
10. Cultural Impact: BMW's vehicles often become cult

07/12/2024

The water carries our spirit, the land holds our roots.
From Native American Culture

04/12/2024

Coastguard flood team training on Monday and Tuesday at Brixham and on the River Dart. Volunteers from the area who can be tasked anywhere in the country. A great team, physically demanding and good fun

02/12/2024

Look up towards the stars this December! We will post further updates and reminders throughout the month. Clear skies!

23/11/2024

23/11/2024

18/11/2024

Consultation on Bathing water reforms to consider water sports and water quality

Bathing water reforms to consider water sports and water quality - GOV.UK - This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 23 December 2024

Defra invites the public, community and environmental groups, farmers, businesses and local authorities to share views on modernising bathing water regulations.

· Consultation launched to modernise bathing waters in first shake up in over a decade
· Reforms include removing fixed season dates from regulations and improved water quality measures
· The public, environmental groups and businesses invited to contribute
Changes to bathing water rules will prioritise public safety and water quality so more people can enjoy our rivers, lakes and seas throughout the seasons in the first shake up since 2013.

Bathing waters are officially designated outdoor swimming sites. England and Wales have over 550 designated bathing waters, which are monitored by the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales. Annual ratings classify each site as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’ on the basis of water quality.

In a consultation launched on Tuesday (12 November), Defra are inviting the public, community groups, environmental groups, farmers, businesses and local authorities to share their views on modernising bathing water regulations to ensure a more flexible approach to designation and monitoring.

The proposed changes, which will benefit cold water swimmers and other water sports enthusiasts, include:

· Removal of fixed bathing water season dates (which currently runs from May to September) from the regulations to allow for a more flexible approach to monitoring, extending the dates of the bathing season to better reflect when people use bathing waters.
· Expanding the legal definition of ‘bathers’ to include participants in water sports other than swimming, including paddle boarders and surfers.
· Further considering water quality and public safety when applications for new bathing waters are assessed.
· Introducing multiple testing points at bathing water sites.
· Ending the automatic de-designation of bathing water status after 5 consecutive years of a site being rated ‘poor’, which can damage local tourism and businesses. Instead, underperforming sites will be individually reviewed by regulators, taking into account their unique circumstances.

Summary - Emma Magee - EA South Devon Catchment Coordinator:

“We want to know what you think about:
• removal of automatic de-designation after 5 years of ‘poor’ water quality
• changes to the designation criteria of bathing sites
• removing the fixed dates of the bathing season from regulations
We also need your views on proposed technical amendments, as well as potential upcoming reforms on:
• the definition of ‘bathers’
• the introduction of multiple monitoring points at bathing sites”

14/11/2024

The river's wisdom flows to those who listen.
Native American Culture