🌞 Hi Devon Lovers,

This week’s newsletter:

• 6 unique and interesting things to do

• 10 North Devon event listings

• 10 South Devon event listings

• 10 Devon prize competitions

Devonlicious!

Book your place for a Devon half marathon

Entries are open for the 2 big Devon half marathons and a big list of others this year.

With a start on the inspiring Hoe seafront, the Plymouth Half takes place on Sunday 28th April through 13.1 miles of city streets. Standard entry is £40.

The Great West Run (above) starts in Exeter and takes in country lanes and challenging hills on Sunday 26th May. Standard entry £45.

Both cities have alternative 10K race options.

Places fill up fast so apply now, but if you miss out there are plenty of others throughout the county in 2024.

Here are 26 Devon half marathons to choose from including on Dartmoor, Exmoor and even a first on Lundy Island.

Take a break at the stunning Zen Jungle Retreat

Nestled in a peaceful valley near Bude, Zen Jungle Retreat sits in 40 acres of splendid isolation with 5 lakes, ancient woodland and spaces to walk, talk, sit, meditate or simply have a cookout.

Whether you’re searching, forgetting, or just need a break there’s probably an option for you.

Founded by Jason Tyldesley, a former furniture company chief executive who decided it was time for something different, the centre aims to help people love life again.

A range of day sessions include yoga, meditation, mindful arts and crafts and breathwork, and 4 and 10 day residential retreats for mindfulness and life transformation.

Or if you want you can just book one of the peaceful lodges, relax and not take part in any holistic activities.

Wooda Lakes, Holsworthy EX22 7JN

Anime + Manga + Pop = Animangapop

No, we didn’t know what it meant either.

Turns out Animangapop mixes Japanese pop culture (think cute kittens and bows) with Manga ( comics) and Anime (hand or computer-drawn animation).

The 10th Animangapop event in Plymouth takes place on the weekend of Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th February. Here’s what happened at the 2022 event (video).

This year’s fun comprises talks and panels, fashion, cosplay (costume play), retro and modern video games and live acts.

Among those performing are Instagram star (73K followers) Daria (above), Kitten Cosplay and Maid in Scotland.

Future Inn, William Prance Road PL6 5ZD

Weekend tickets £42.75

Create a unique botanical collage in a mindful environment

Grace Coombes from Linnet Workshops will guide you through the process of creating a botanical-themed collage using block printing and mark making techniques.

The session in the beautiful Shilstone House will explore pattern, form and colour, with a focus on creativity and pressure free making.

No previous experience is necessary, and all materials are included for a relaxing session.

There’s free parking, a cafe and restaurant.

The workshop will be taking place on Sunday 28th January, 10am to 3pm.

Shilstone, Modbury, Ivybridge PL21 0TW. Tickets £38

🍁 If you can’t make this one, Grace is running a similar workshop at Buckland Abbey near Tavistock on Friday 29th April.

Where to see and learn about Devon otters

Otters have made a comeback in most of the UK, so where can you see them in Devon?

The nature reserve at Halsdon near Great Torrington is one of the best places most of the year round, according to the Devon Wildlife Trust.

While you are planning your visit, why not learn a bit more about the native Eurasian otter?

The UK Wild Otter Trust is giving an expert talk in Fremington near Barnstaple on Saturday 27th January.

Founder Dave Webb, who has 40 year’s experience in wildlife conservation, will tell you things you probably didn’t know about the otter and explain the challenges it still faces.

A question and answer session will be held afterwards.

7.15pm. Fremington Parish Hall EX31 3BG. Donation on entry.

C’mon, you’ve always fancied having a go at welding, havn’t you?

The sparks flying and the thrill of blending creativity with engineering…

This 1-day introduction welding course in Plymouth at a specialist teaching workshop (video) will introduce you to the basics of welding metal and let you have a go to create a product of your own.

You’ll learn the two most common welding processes, use angle grinders to prepare metal and clean up welds, and the best practise for welding metal of different thicknesses.

This course is perfect for anyone keen to just have a go at welding without buying all the expensive machinery and metal.

The day is led by Richard Evans, an experienced metal fabricator and designer. All materials are included in the price.

A variety of courses are available at The Weld Space, Studio 1, Candlewick Lane, Alma Yard PL4 0FF

Next introductory course: 10am to 4pm, Saturday 23rd March. Cost: £99. Book.

Listings

🌊 North Devon

JANUARY

Sun 30th

RUNNING | 🏃‍♀️ North Devon AONB Marathon, half marathon and 10K | The Green, The Esplanade, Woolacombe EX34 7DJ | Register here

FEBRUARY

Fri 2nd

HISTORY | 👻 Learn about the history and hauntings of Barnstaple on a guided tour | Paternoster Row, Barnstaple EX31 1SX | Tickets £14.50

Sat 3rd

FESTIVAL | 🎤 Emma’s YODO | A night full of great performances by local bands | Quince Honey Farm Shop, South Molton EX36 3RD | Tickets £11.55

Wed 7th

BALLET | 🩰 A Royal Opera House screening of the ballet Manon | The Landmark, Ilfracombe EX34 9BZ | Tickets from £14

Sat 10th

MUSIC | 🎙️ One of the best Bon Jovi tribute acts hits North Devon | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £26

Sun 11th

MOTORING | 🏍️ Bideford Classic Motorcycle Show | Bideford Pannier Market, EX39 2DR | £1 entry, U12s free

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

Sun 25th

FOOD AND DRINK | 🌯 South Molton Festival of Food and Drink | South Molton Pannier Market EX36 3AB | Free

Thu 29th

CRAFT | 🌸 Willow Flower Basket Workshop | Chevithorne Village Hall, Tiverton EX16 7PU | Tickets £105

MARCH

Sun 10th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🔮 Volunteer to take part in The Hypnotist show with Robert Temple | Queens Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £10

🐬 South Devon

JANUARY

Sat 27th

MUSIC | 🎵 The London Gershwin Players performing Rhapsody in Blue | Levinsky Hall, Plymouth PL4 8AA | Tickets £12

FEBRUARY

Thu 1st to Wed 28th

ART | 🪐 Mars: War and Peace, Luke Jerram’s new exhibition | Exeter Cathedral EX1 1HS | Tickets £6

Wed 14th

ENVIRONMENT | 🌳 Family Tree Planting Morning with the National Trust | Wembury Beach PL9 0HP | Free

Thu 15th

FOOD AND DRINK | 🍷 French Wine Tasting | The Flavel Arts Centre, Dartmouth TQ6 9ND | Tickets £25

Fri 16th

HISTORY | 🕰️ Blast from the past | Encounter a Roman soldier and other historical characters | Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter EX4 3RX | Free

Sat 17th

RUNNING | 🏃‍♂️ The Wild Night Run | South Brent Old School Community Centre, South Brent TQ10 9BP | Entry £27

Fri 23rd

CRAFT | 🎨 Create your very own blocked printed notebook | Buckland Abbey, Yelverton PL20 6EY | Tickets £38

MARCH

Mon 11th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎤 Spend an evening with Dawn French and Darcey Bussell hearing their stories and connections with Plymouth | Theatre Royal Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £27

SCIENCE | 🌉 Take a tour around the anchorage of the Tamar Bridge | Pemros Road, St Budeaux PL5 1LP | Tickets £10

Wed 20th to Sat 23rd

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

🏆️ Win Devon Prizes

New!  🐑 A 2-night shepherd's lodge stay for two people including a welcome hamper worth £550​ (Today, 18 Jan)

New!  ⚓️ A midweek mini-break at Royal William Yard, Plymouth (Today, 18 Jan)

New!  🌊 3-night stay for 2 at Gara Rock Hotel (21 Jan)

New!  🥧 A long weekend stay for 4 at Mazzard Farm Holiday Cottages, a pasty baking experience and a selection of pies and pasties (no date given)

⛱️ A 2-night stay in a luxury Babbacombe beach hut (31 Jan)

💕 A romantic, luxury Valentine’s Day hamper worth £70 (31 Jan)

🛀 A luxurious family hot tub break near the idyllic waterside village of Stoke Gabriel (31 Jan)

🏨 A two-night getaway for two at Lympstone Manor including breakfasts and a fine dining dinner. (31 Jan)

🌊 A 3-night weekend stay for 4 in a cabin on The Flete Estate and paddleboarding on a private beach, plus 2 other holidays. (11 Mar)

🪙 £250 worth of vouchers towards a Devon break (31 Mar)

Terms and conditions apply. See individual websites.

Got a competition? Let us know.

That’s all for this week, but…

Can we ask a New Year favour? Forward this email to ONE Friend today and tell them to subscribe here to keep up with Devon events.

Devon love,

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