Hello, and a warm welcome to everyone who joined us in September. You’re in the company of more than 6,000 Devon lovers.

Go Devon! Newsletter has one job: to help you get more out of this wonderful county.

Every week, I uncover interesting places, unusual events, great music and shows, food festivals, nature outings and weird curiosities.

Many of which you’d never otherwise know about (or so you tell me).

Plus the practical details you need to enjoy them, without all that tedious searching.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. The important question this week is not about global warming or AI. I want to know if you remember Wishbone Ash. See below.

Acrobatics and guaranteed jeopardy will bring perhaps a couple of thousand people to Plymouth’s Barbican on 26th September to watch thrill-seekers fall off a greasy pole.

The Red Bull Up The Mast challenge sees 200 competitors perform an all-out sprint along a slippery pole, attempt to grab a flag…and mostly meet with spectacular failure.

Watch a video of last year’s event in Plymouth

Successful flag-grabbers make it through to the final, and one will be crowned champion.

My Mum tells me something similar was popular at Mutton Cove in Plymouth in the 1950s. Does anyone have any memories? Just hit reply to share.

12pm to 4:30pm, Saturday 26th September. Free

It’s been described as pure, unadulterated fantasy. Sláine: The Horned God is a 25-year-old graphic novel following a hero’s epic journey fighting villains, monsters and dragons.

It’s brought to the stage in a 1-man show in Exeter later this month by professional storyteller Jason Buck. He blends narrative with vocal sound effects to spirit the audience away into Celtic Britain.

One reviewer called the performance "immersive, engrossing and enchanting", praising Jason Buck's engaging presence and mischievous charm.

7.30pm, Wednesday 30th September, Exeter Phoenix Theatre. Tickets: £15.50

This is a hands-on weekend aimed at crafters of all level.

Stalls sell sewing, quilting, embroidery, jewellery-making and papercraft supplies and tools. Live demonstrations and bookable workshops show you how to use them.

The Creative Craft Show, incorporating the Stitching Show, also runs Make & Takes, one-off mini workshops with hands-on guidance and a way to pick up crafting tips and tricks.

9.30am to 4.30pm, Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th September, Westpoint, Exeter. Tickets: £10 online, £12 on the door.

Well done if you can remember that far back. Here’s your chance to relive the band’s progressive rock glory days.

Guitarist and vocalist Andy Powell is the sole founding member still on stage, leading the band’s signature twin lead guitar harmonies at a Plymouth gig later this month.

Wishbone Ash never had a hit single but their 1972 album Argus reached No 3 in the UK album charts.

Listen to the standout track “Blowin Free” (video)

7.30pm, Saturday 24th October, Quad Theatre, Marjon University. Tickets: £31.58

Weave a traditional willow basket in just 3 hours.

A hands-on beginners workshop uses natural Devon-grown willow. You will learn how to create a traditional “stake and strand” round basket and techniques to craft the base, side and borders.

10am to 1pm, Wednesday 7th October, Quince Honey Farm, South Morton. Book a place: £45 including materials.

👀 Look out for the Go Devon! Newsletter guide to Arts & Crafts Workshops Autumn 2026 coming soon.

Would you swim in an old quarry?

Verdict: You’re not generally keen on dipping in old quarries, although a significant minority will have a go.

Michelle said: “Always keen to find new swimming spots.”

Laura said: “You wouldn’t get me swimming anywhere outdoors.”

Other comments: “Too scared,” “too dangerous,” “hazardous”.

Berry Pomeroy isn't a stately home with rooms full of furniture and paintings.

It's a roofless, weathered ruin left to decay for 300 years. You're exploring broken walls and empty window frames in a dramatic location, which sets the scene for some grisly ghost stories.

The wandering White Lady is said to have been imprisoned in the castle by her sister and starved to death. The Blue Lady was accused of murdering her baby, said to be conceived by incest. Gruesome.

If you find all that a bit much, check out the very real 15th century painting of the Three Wise Men in the gatehouse.

Then enter the grounds to see the remains of a grand Tudor house, with fireplaces and bread ovens in what were the kitchens.

There’s a woodland walk down to a lake and dogs on leads are welcome. Tickets: £8.50 with online advanced booking. Website

*Closing dates in brackets

FEATURED: 🌳 A 2-night mid-week stay in a treehouse near Dartmouth, including a local goodies welcome hamper, logs for the wood burner, hot tub and a late check-out (28th Sep)

NEW! ✨ A South Devon multiprize. 1-night stay for 2 at Gara Rock Hotel near Salcombe with breakfast, a framed Giclée limited edition print “Ever Changing Tides” by artist Lucy Young, worth £600, and a £200 Susie Watson Designs voucher to be spent on hand-crafted collections. (closes tomorrow, 18th Sep)

NEW! 🥩 A £75 voucher for Miller & Carter Steakhouse restaurant, Plymouth. (24th Sep)

🎉 A bumper bundle of hotel stays and goodies worth £2000+ including a 2-night stay and 3-course meal at The Bull Inn, Totnes, a 1-night stay for 2 at the Idle Rocks in St Mawes (Cornwall we know, but we’ll make an exception), a champagne vineyard tour in Hampshire, a £230 Lalique perfume and 2 VIP tickets to a London jewellery fair (27th Sep)

NEW! 🛳 A return trip to the Scilly Isles (Cornwall creeping in again this week!) for 2 people on the new Scillonian IV from March 2027. Entrants must have EX or TQ postcodes (30th Sep)

NEW! ⛺ 1 of 5 pairs of tickets to the Motorhome & Camping Show in Exeter 20-22 November (8th Nov)

NEW! 🍿 A luxury 3-night stay in a luxury 5-star Dartmoor hotel with breakfast, private horse drawn carriage ride and afternoon tea, PLUS a year's supply of popcorn (30th Nov)

Want more competitions? Click here

Did you win something? Let me know

🦌 Wild game, vodka and fudge

🛟 Sink or swim

🌼 Private Devon gardens open in September and October

🎤 Sir Van the Man in Devon

That’s all for this week. Thanks for being a member.

NEXT ISSUE Dunsford Beer & Music Festival

Andy, Esme and Lara