🎄 Good Morning Devon Lovers,

Festive fun is hotting up.

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Panto: Goldilocks and The Three Bears save a circus

Time for loud noises and cheesy jokes with this year’s Plymouth panto Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

The performance brings together former Strictly dancer Brendan Cole, Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes and Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell.

The traditional story has been adapted. Goldilocks has a circus and it’s under threat from an evil rival.

All is lost until Three Bears come to the rescue amid great special effects and stunts.

The show runs from 15th December to 13th January. Tickets from £18.

Handel’s Messiah with the University of Exeter Chapel Choir

There’s a reason why the Hallejulah Chorus is one of the most memorable bits of The Messiah. Handel kept it elegantly simple (video).

According to experts the underlying theme of The Messiah is that people continue to believe and follow God today by practising religion. The piece delivers Biblical messages through beautiful music.

You can catch what is probably the most popular choral work ever written at Mary Harris Memorial Chapel of the Holy Trinity in Exeter, performed by the University of Exeter Chapel Choir.

Saturday 9th December, 7pm. Tickets from £8

Have a few laughs with Jimmy just before Christmas

Famous for a weird laugh, hosting TV show 8 out of 10 Cats and tax avoidance, Jimmy Carr is also a talented stand-up.

His new show at the Plymouth Pavilions on Friday 22nd December contains jokes about all kinds of “terrible things.”

Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love.

But, he says, they’re just jokes, they are not the terrible things.

Don’t expect everything to be clean, or woke. Having political correctness at a Carr comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo.

Tickets from £32.50

Golfers: Fancy a Turkey Trot at the upmarket East Devon Golf Club?

The annual Devon and Cornwall Turkey Trot run by the British greenkeepers’ association takes place on Thursday 14th December.

(For you non-golfers a Turkey Trot is a festive golf tournament with turkeys for prizes and nearest the pin competitions.)

The fun starts at 8am at the prestigious East Devon Golf Club in Budleigh, with tea, coffee and bacon rolls for competitors.

There are prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, closest to the pin on all par 3s, and a 2-course meal after 18 holes.

Members £30, non-members £40. Book here

Carols by candlelight tell a story

Get into the spirit of Christmas this Sunday with the annual Broadclyst carols by candlelight service.

St John the Baptist Church will be lit by hundreds of candles as the backdrop to traditional carols and festive readings telling the story of Christmas.

There are two sessions, the first for local school choirs at 5pm, and the second with the Cantilena Choir at 7pm.

Warming winter refreshments available for a donation.

Sunday 3rd December. Broadclyst, Exeter EX5 3EL.

Free, but booking required.

Tea and tour of one of Devon’s biggest mosques

Ever walked passed a mosque and been curious about what’s inside? This is your chance to find out.

This Saturday 2nd December at 10.30am The Piety Centre in Plymouth is opening its doors to visitors interested in gaining an insight into Islam, regardless of age, faith or background.

You can tour the mosque, view exhibitions on the Islamic faith and historical contributions of Muslim scientists, ask questions and enjoy tea and snacks.

Other tours are planned for next year on 6th January, 3rd February and 2nd March.

19 Greenbank Avenue, St Judes, Plymouth PL4 8PS. Book a place.

Listings

🌊 North Devon

DECEMBER

Selected dates throughout December

ENTERTAINMENT | 💡 Explore the magical and illuminated gardens of RHS Rosemoor, with sculptures and soundscapes | Torrington EX38 8PH | Adult tickets £12.95. Child £6.95. Members £8.95

Tomorrow

TRIBUTE BAND | 🎙️ It’s back to the 1970s with the Bootleg Blondie tribute band and some of Debbie Harry’s greatest hits | Palladium Club, Bideford EX39 2DE | Tickets £16.50

Sunday

FILM | 🎬 Starting to feel festive? Maybe you will after watching the Christmas classic Elf | Drive in cinema | Affinity Devon Outlet Shopping, Clovelly Road, Bideford EX39 3QU | Tickets £22.38

Wed 6th

THEATRE | 🎭 Climate Change Theatre | Watch a mixture of short plays with global climate change themes | Bridge Chambers, Barnstaple EX31 1HB | Adult tickets £7.21, U16s £3.96

Fri 8th

MUSIC | 🎤 Watch Mad Dog Mcrea live in Barnstaple and enjoy a blend of pop, folk and jazz music | JCT27, Barnstaple EX31 1SB | Tickets £21

Sat 9th

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Get your hands on some festive treats at the Bideford Christmas Market | Bideford Pannier Market, Bideford EX39 2DR | Free

Sat 9th to Sat 23rd

CHRISTMAS FUN | 🎡 Visit the Magic of Christmas at the Milky Way Adventure Park | Bideford EX39 5RY | Tickets from £4.50 (not including regular ticket entry)

Wed 13th to Sun 31st

THEATRE | 🎭 Immerse yourself in the magical and mystical world of Sleeping Beauty at this year’s panto | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £15

Sat 16th

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Wander through lovely Barnstaple countryside and finish the adventure by listening to carols in the town square | Fair View Car Park, Barnstaple EX31 1JR | Free (car parking £2.50)

Sun 17th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎙️ What’s your go to karaoke song? Now’s your chance to perform at the Cedars Inn Karaoke and Curry Night | Barnstaple EX31 2HE | Tickets £15

Fri 22nd

MUSIC | 🎧 Show off your best dance moves at the Howl at the Moon silent disco | Barnstaple Pannier Market, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets £16.50

Tue 26th

FESTIVITIES | 🍗 Enjoy some mulled wine, music and a BBQ, at Clovelly’s annual Boxing Day BBQ | Clovelly Harbour, The Quay, Clovelly EX39 5TF. Free entry to the village

Sun 31st

NEW YEAR | 🥂 Travel back to the 1920s with a Gatsby Gala Dinner | The Barnstaple Hotel, Barnstaple EX31 1LE | Tickets £55

2024

JANUARY

Mon 1st to Sat 6th 

SPACE | 🌔 Visit Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon and take in the magnificent sculpture | Barnstaple Pannier Market, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Free

FEBRUARY

Mon 19th to Sat 24th

THEATRE | 🎭 Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the iconic production, The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £19.50

🐬 South Devon

NOVEMBER

Today

CLIMATE CHANGE | 🌍 In preparation for the next COP climate summit join the Climate Cafe and meet fellow eco warriors | Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR | Free 

MUSIC | 🎤 Enjoy a night of Eastern European music, sea shanties and jigs with Ushti Baba | The Barrel House, Totnes TQ9 5PB | Tickets from £13.20.

DECEMBER

Tomorrow

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Immerse yourself in traditional Christmas at Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening with festive craft stalls, live music and entertainment | Tavistock Town Centre PL19 0AE | Free

Tomorrow and Saturday

COMEDY | 🎙️ Laugh along with Sarah Millican as she tells you about her childhood, marriage… and divorce | Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth PL1 3LF | Tickets £37.90

Tomorrow through to Sun 17th

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Get your Christmas shopping started at Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market | Enjoy entertainment, great food and get festive! | Cathedral Green, Exeter EX1 1HS | Free

Saturday

FUNDRAISER | 🐕️ Guide dogs, puppies in training and Ambassador dogs will greet you at the Guide Dogs Torbay Christmas Bazaar | Majestic Templestowe Hotel. 10.30am to 2.30pm | Free

WILDLIFE | 🐬 Spot dolphins, whales (maybe) and sea birds off the Wembury coast and collect data for the Devon Wildlife Trust | Weather dependent | Wembury Marine Centre, Church Rd. PL9 0HP | Free

Sunday

FUN RUN | 🎅 Join the Plymouth Santa Fun Run and raise money for charity | The Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2LE | £15 entry fee

Fri 8th

MUSIC | 🎶 Spend an evening with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra | Plymouth Pavilions PL1 3LF | Tickets from £37.34

Sat 9th

MUSIC | 🎶 Join the Mediaeval Baebes in their torch lit parade down to Exeter Cathedral, where you can watch them perform Christmas carols and folk songs | EX1 1HS | Adult tickets £27.50. Children £12.50

Mon 12th

NATURE | 🦅 Join a guided bird watching cruise on the River Exe and learn about winter species | Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth Marina, Pier Head, Exmouth EX8 1FE | Tickets £14

Sat 16th

MURDER MYSTERY | 🔎 Can you uncover the murderer? Spend an evening solving a crime, along with drinks and a three course meal | The Box, Plymouth PL4 8AX | Tickets £55

Sun 17th

COMEDY | 🎙️ Join The Comedy Show and see the best in stand up from around the world | Barnfield Theatre, Barnfield Rd, EX1 1SN | Tickets £22.50

2024

JANUARY

Tue 23rd to Wed 24th

COMEDY | 🎙️ An evening with Romesh Ranganathan as he warms up for his new tour | Northcott Theatre, Exeter EX4 4QB | Tickets from £30.50

FEBRUARY

Sun 25th

SHOWTIME | 🎤 Did you think Rob Brydon was just a game show host? | Enjoy an evening full of comedy, singing and impressions | Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £39

MARCH

Tue 19th to Sat 23rd

MUSICAL | 🎭 Follow the journey of twin brothers separated at birth in Blood Brothers | Princess Theatre, Torquay TQ2 5EZ | Tickets from £16.80

Wed 20th to Sat 23rd

BALLET | 🩰 Watch the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty, with music from the acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia | Theatre Royal Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £27

Sun 31st

ENTERTAINMENT | Aled Jones, sharing his stories, songs and memories from the music and entertainment industry over the last 40 years | Palace Theatre, Paignton TQ3 3HF | Tickets from £30

🏆️ Win Devon Prizes

We find Devon prize competitions so you don’t have to. Entry is free unless stated. Closing dates are in brackets.

💤 2 nights in a brand new Torquay beach hut (Today)

🌲 A 2-night stay for a family of 4 at Dittisham Hideaway, Dartmouth, including a welcome hamper worth £500 (Today)

🍸️ A limited edition South Hams boozy truffle collection box from Salcombe Dairy (Today)

⛳️ A 2-night break for 8 people in a self-catering lodge at Woodbury Golf & Country Club, Exeter (Today)

🍾 A 4-night stay in a shepherds lodge at Dittisham Hideaway, Dartmouth with a welcome hamper for two people worth a total of £1,000. (Today)

🛏️ A 2-night stay for two people including breakfast and dinner at Mercure Paignton, worth £500. (1 Dec)

🪙 A £200 voucher to spend at Exeter shops and restaurants (1 Dec)

⭐️ A “Golden” ticket to Devon attractions worth £1,500 (1 Dec)

NEW! A 2-night stay for 2 at a chic manor house hotel in North Devon with breakfast and 3-course dinner (10 Dec)

NEW!  🍖 A 1-day “fire school” BBQ cooking course in Axminster worth £225 (31 Dec)

🍾 A luxury one-night stay and a three-course meal for two at The Collective at Woolsery near Bideford (31 Dec)

Terms and conditions apply. See individual websites.

Got a competition? Let us know.

That’s all for this week.

With love, cream and jam, in that order.

😎 Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team

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