Hello Devon Lovers,

This is Go Devon!, a weekly newsletter showcasing fun, interesting and unique things to do in Devon. Thanks for being a subscriber. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign-up here

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Thank you,

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team

Messing with fire to ward off evil spirits

No, not a war zone. Just a pagan celebration in Ottery St Mary.

Carrying burning tar barrels through the streets is their idea of fun. In fact it’s an honour only those born in the village are entitled to.

See this crazy tradition (video) up close and personal on Bonfire Night, Tuesday 5th November.

Best to get there early, as up to 10,000 people attend.

The purpose is said to be to ward off evil spirits or to celebrate the harvest. No one knows for sure.

But it's been popular since the 1600s and apart from those worrying about health and safety everyone usually has a good time.

If you’re standing close to the action you might want to wear something flame-proof, and definitely read the safety guide.

Ottery St Mary, near Exeter. 4pm to 11.30pm. Website.

Big beats, visual treats, and loud

It’s not every day Japanese drumming comes to town, and Mugenkyo Taiko haven’t been on the road in the UK for 5 years.

In their 30 years together the group has developed a traditional art form into a full-blown theatrical show bringing rhythmn and dance together with atmospheric soundscapes.

Taiko drums are big, double-sided drums usually hit with a bamboo stick blunted at both ends.

You might remember Mugenkyo from the BBC’s coverage of the Tokyo Olympics, and the group was recently filming for the Hollywood film Tin Soldier in Greece with Jamie Foxx and Robert DeNiro.

Watch a taster here (video).

7.30pm. Saturday 26th October. Exeter Northcutt Theatre, Stocker Road EX4 4QB Tickets £32

Worshipping the bountiful harvest

As we lead more online lives, the old, simple and authentic traditions seem to be becoming more popular.

Buckland Abbey is putting on a weekend of Harvest Season events including classic family games such as sack racing, apple and spoon races and autumnal crafts.

Enjoy seasonal treats in the cafe and cider and mead tastings in the shop, and don’t miss the spectacular display of squashes and pumpkins in the Great Barn.

10am to 5pm Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October.

Entry: Adults £15, child £7.50, family £37.50

Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6EY. More details.

P.S. There’s a Tudor cooking demonstration with a team in full costume on the Saturday and on Tuesday 29th November, between 11am and 3pm.

Celebrate the silver darlings of the sea

Munch on authentically cooked herring in all their forms and enjoy an accompanying tipple at the Clovelly Herring Festival on Sunday 17th November.

Herring are smoked to produce kippers and bloaters but they are just as nutritious freshly fried in a coating of oats.

As a fishing village, Clovelly celebrates the arrival of the herring every November.

See the Kipperland exhibition, devoted to the history of all things herring, and enjoy the variety of herring specialities from quay side stalls, with live music and face-painting.

Short video here.

Entry fee: Adult: £9.50, child £5.50, U7 free, family £25.

10am to 4pm. Clovelly EX39 5TA

YouTube phenomenon plays with the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra

27-year-old guitar soloist Alexandra Whittingham takes centre stage at a Plymouth Symphony Orchestra concert on Wednesday 27th November.

​Hailed as “a young 21st-century virtuoso” she became a social media phenomena at 16 and has amassed 50 million views. Watch her play here (video).

The programme includes Ravel’s Bolero, Verdi’s Force of Destiny Overture and Debussy’s La Mer.

7.30pm. Minster Church of St Andrew, Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2AD

Tickets: £16 in advance, £18 on the door. Children/students £5.

Devon Curiosities #28: Jay’s Grave

The poignant story of a young girl who got into trouble and took her own life lies behind the unusual raised grave near Hound Tor on Dartmoor.

Jay’s Grave is supposedly the resting place of Kitty Jay, an 18th workhouse orphan and housemaid who, according to various stories, discovered she was pregnant, was abandoned by her lover and hanged herself.

According to the custom of the time, a suicide victim she could not be buried on consecrated ground and her body was laid to rest on farm land. Her bones were said to have been moved to the wayside grave in 1860.

The spot has been a tourist attraction ever since with reported ghost sightings and various embellishments of the story.

The sad tale never fails to move visitors who frequently leave flowers and other offerings.

Read more here. Manaton TQ13 9XQ

WHAT ELSE IS ON

🌊 North Devon

OCTOBER

Sun 20th

BALLET | 🩰 Screening of the Royal Ballet’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland | The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe EX34 9BZ | Tickets from £14

Thu 24th

TALK | 🎙️ An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck | The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe EX34 9BZ | Tickets from £33.50

Sat 26th

PARANORMAL | 👻 Ghost Hunting | George & Dragon Pub, Ilfracombe EX34 9ED | Tickets £25

Sun 27th

ENVIRONMENT | 🌊 Beach Clean | Mill Rock, Woolacombe EX34 7HL | Free

PHOTOGRAPHY | 📷 Capture the beauty of the North Devon coastline with like minded people | Valley of Rocks, Lynton EX35 6JH | Tickets £4.77

Wed 30th

CONNECT | 🌳 Guided Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) at Courage Copse | Alternative dates available - sessions held every Wednesday | Warkleigh, Umberleigh EX37 9DD | Tickets £6

NOVEMBER

Fri 1st

MUSIC | 🎵 A Celebration of Young Bands | The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington EX38 8HQ | Tickets £7

Tue 5th

TRADITION | 🔥 Fireworks and a bonfire at The BIG Sheep to commemorate Guy Fawkes Night | The BIG Sheep, Bideford EX39 5AP | Tickets £11

Sun 10th

REFLECTION | 🎖️ Remembrance Day | Victoria Park, Bideford EX39 2QQ | Free

Thu 28th

FESTIVITIES | 🎄 Barnstaple Christmas Light Switch On | The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN | Free

🐬 South Devon

OCTOBER

Sun 13th

MUSIC | 🎻 The Chamber Ensemble of London - 2-hour medley of chamber orchestra classics | Stoke Damerel Church, Plymouth PL1 5QL | Adult tickets £20, U18s £5

Mon 14th

FILM | 🎥 River Vision - An immersive film of the river Plym | Immersive Vision Theatre, Plymouth PL4 8AA | Tickets £6

Sat 19th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎙️ Jane McDonald - With All My Love Tour | Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth PL1 3LF | Tickets from £51.90

Sun 20th

HISTORY | 🗡️ Trafalgar Day Service | Exeter Cathedral, Exeter EX1 1HS | Free

Fri 25th

TALK | 🎤 An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck | Northcott Theatre, Exeter EX4 4QB | Tickets £32.50

Fri 25th and Sat 26th

HALLOWEEN | 👻 BOO at the Zoo 2024 | Dartmoor Zoo, Plymouth PL7 5DG | Adult tickets £18.50, U16s £16.35

NOVEMBER

Sat 2nd

TRADITION | 🔥 Big Bonfire Night and Firework Display | Aller Park Field, Dartington Estate | Adult tickets £8, U16s £4

Sat 9th

MUSIC | 🎙️ Amy Winehouse Tribute | Steel Brew, Royal William Yard, Plymouth PL1 3GD | Tickets £15

Sun 10th

REFLECTION | 🎖️ Remembrance Sunday | Plymouth Hoe, Plymouth PL1 2PJ | Free

Thu 21st 

CONCERT | 🎸 Fairytale of New York - An evening full of festive tunes | Princess Theatre, Torquay TQ2 5EZ | Tickets from £25.50

🏆️ Win Devon prizes

We find Devon prize giveaway competitions so you don’t have to.

Closing dates in brackets. Terms and conditions apply, see individual websites for details.

You could win:

🏇 A fabulous West Country weekend bundle including 2 tickets to Exeter and Wincanton Racecourses, a hotel stay for 2, a spa package, £100 restaurant voucher, and afternoon tea for 2 (11th Oct)

NEW!  🍺 1 of 4 cases of non-alcoholic cider worth £27 (13th Oct)

🪙 A £500 voucher for a South Devon holiday park holiday (17th Oct)

🏨 A 2-night stay at the Mercure Hotel, Paignton, with breakfast, dinner and wine on both nights (18th Oct)

🏡 A £2m dream house in Exmouth, £250,000 cash and 2 Porsche cars worth £170,000 (27th Oct)

NEW! A 2-night stay in a luxury shepherd’s lodge for two adults and up to one child, or two smaller children in South Devon, worth £500 (28th Oct)

⛵️ A two night stay in a Dartmouth apartment, 6 bottles of low or no alcohol wine, and a South West explorer pack. (29th Oct)

NEW!  🏰 A 2-night self-catering apartment stay in Watermouth Castle and unlimited entry to the theme park (31st Oct)

🐕️ A beach villa break at a dog-friendly spot in Saunton (31st Oct)

🧺 A package of Devon food and drink including vodka, liquers, charcuterie and a 3-course meal for 2. (31st Oct)

⛱️ A 3-night break at a Brixham Holiday Park in 2025 (31st Oct)

🌅 10 pilates classes in Exeter worth £195 (3rd Nov)

🏨 2-night’s accommodation in the Agatha Christie Suite at the Grand Hotel, Torquay, including a classic afternoon tea and spa treatment (24th Dec)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 A 2-night stay for up to 16 family and friends at a Devon farmhouse (31st Jan 2025)

That’s all for this week, but…

Don’t forget to get in touch with events and things to do in Devon that we may have missed or overlooked. Jut hit reply to this email, we promise to get back to you.

With Devon love,

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team