I don’t have the accent, but I was born in Devonport and I like pasties so I reckon that makes me a Janner.

Nothing against Geordies, Brummies or Cockneys (salt of the earth them all) but there’s nothing like the Janner for their unique mix of wit, generosity and honesty.

See Devon Curiosities #82 below for a profile of The Janner.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. I’ve been organising some Christmas offers for you. For great deals on local Devon brands look out for a special email coming soon!

Dazzling Diamonds camp comedy

Introducing drag queens Miss Lola Lush, Miss Alexis and Bailey La Creame.

They’re playing in Barnstaple next month billed as a “comedy variety drag show” with high-energy dance routines, live vocals (sing-along hits from artists like Cher, Tina Turner, Adele and Dolly Parton) and comedy.

And don’t forget the spectacular costumes, and needless to say perhaps, adult themes and strong language.

Online reviews are overwhelmingly positive with audiences enjoying the inclusive fun tone, well-choreographed routines, and sketches designed to engage newcomers to the drag world.

Trailer (video)

Thursday 13th November, Queens Theatre Barnstaple. From £20.

Birdwatching afloat

A season of floating bird watching tours starts in the Exe Estuary next week.

Thousands of birds arrive to spend winter in the river including avocet, dunlin, oystercatcher, Brent goose, grey plover and lapwing.

• You might spot rare species too, such as the Slavonian grebe, the bar-tailed godwit or the (not so) common redshank.

Devon Wildlife Trust provide commentary from local ornithologists and say the trips are suitable for beginners and experts.

• You’ll be on board a Stuart Line Cruises ferry where pre-ordered pasties, soup and hot drinks are available.

First cruise is 10.15am on Monday 3rd November, and regularly thereafter through to March 2026. Tickets: £14

10 incredible days of the Boney show

Astonishing how Plymouth people took to boats in their thousands to see Napoleon Bonaparte, greeting him like a film star.

Boney was a prisoner on board HMS Bellerophon after his defeat at Waterloo in 1815 and the ship stayed in The Sound for 10 days while his fate was decided.

• Up to 10,000 people took to the water daily and Napoleon appeared regularly on deck, tipping his hat and lapping up the attention as the crowds waved and cheered.

Hear the full story in Ten Amazing Days, a Plymouth Historical Association talk delivered by historian Clive Charlton.

7pm, Tuesday 25th November 2025, The Levinsky Theatre, University of Plymouth. From £4.

Scroooooge! at Devonport Playhouse

Devonport’s independent theatre is putting on a musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, the story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge.

It’s one of the most celebrated of Charles Dickens’ books to be adapted for film and play, famous for the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, and the dramatic change that happens to Scrooge.

7.30pm, Wednesday 3rd to Saturday 6th December, plus a matinee at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Devonport Playhouse. Tickets from £18.

The wonders of witchcraft

Exeter was the first and last place to kill a witch, so we’re told.

So what better place for an exploration of all things witchcraft?

The Witchcraft & Women Summit is a 1-day set of talks and workshops led by experts in magic, sorcery and the like, discussing the unique role of women in it all.

• Listen and discuss topics including witches in pop culture, a history of curses and magic and gender in the Middle Ages.

Saturday 22nd November, University of Exeter. Tickets £36-£82

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result: “Do you visit art exhibitions”

• Yes 83%

• No 17%

Devon Curiosities #82: The Janner

You can find The Janner at Home Park on alternative Saturdays, eating a pasty with a pint of Proper Job perhaps and showing fierce loyalty to Plymouth Argyle.

With their own song, belted out at the match, a distinct set of catchphrases and a quirky sense of humour, Janners are a proud part of regional culture.

Janners love fish and chips, roll their eyes at summer traffic, and always have time for yapping.

Ask a favour and you’ll get your request, but it might not be on time.

To see classic Janner, watch the 2009 Aviva insurance advert (video) by Paul Whitehouse, which sums up the fun, self-mocking personality to a T.

ORIGIN: Thought to have come from “Cousin Jan”, the Devon pronounciation of "Cousin John" used in naval circles, it’s now used for people from Plymouth or those with a SW Devon accent.

• There are strong connections with Devonport, with most “dockyardees” happy to be hailing from Jannerland.

For those of you unfamiliar, a few top Jannerisms with translations.

• “Reeeeet mehht!” = alright mate!

• Alright me luvver? Alright me ‘ansom? = hello to a loved one

• Wer be to? = where are you?

• How be ackin? = how are you?

• Dreckly = soon, but not right away

• Bey, bay or buhy = boy

• Jipper or jipple = pasty gravy

• Smeech = airborne fat particles from frying

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🐴 A 2-night midweek break for up to 6 people in a safari lodge at Longlands on the Western border of Exmoor. (31st Oct, tomorrow)

NEW!  🌟 A 2-night luxury bed & breakfast break for 2 people at Lympstone Manor, Exmouth, including a Michelin-starred a la carte dinner, worth a total of £2,388 (Answers are: Ripon, Malham Cove. N.B. ends midnight today 30th Oct)

NEW!  🎄 4 adult tickets to ride The Polar Express at Seaton Tramway (31st Oct, tomorrow).

💫 A 4-course Michelin star lunch at Lympstone Manor, Exmouth (31st Oct)

🔑 A Michelin Key stay for 2 at The Collective at Woolsery, with dinner, bed and breakfast (2nd Nov)

♨️ A Woolacombe Bay Hotel spa day for 2 people worth £160 (5th Nov)

🍷 1 of 10 Lyme Bay Winery wine bundles worth £50+ each (15th Nov)

🌳 A huge boost to your photography credentials, a tree photography book and a framed photo of the winning entry. Exeter’s tree photography competition (20th Nov)

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NEW!  ⚓️ Lunch for 2 at the Barbican Kitchen, a master distiller’s tour at the historic home of Plymouth Gin, and drinks, worth £110 (25th Dec)

🌊 A cosy 2-night retreat for 2 including breakfast both mornings and dinner one evening at a choice of destinations including The Seagate in Appledore. (31st Dec)

DID YOU GET LUCKY? Have you won a prize from a link here? Let me know

More competitions here

New member? Catch up here

🌻 Van Gogh’s tortured art mind

🔥 Raw pagan energy

🍰 Foodie heaven in Dartmouth

🎸 Live music nights with tunes you know and love

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

NEXT WEEK   Women in sport showcase

Andy, Esme and Lara