My crafting vocabulary has come on this week.
I can tell you about kinusaiga, zines, sashiko, zarzo and mandalas and why they are taking the craft world by storm.
Curious? Havn’t a clue what I’m talking about? Read our Arts & Crafts events guide out today (link below) to find out more.
Yours in Devon,
P.S. How far would you travel for an unusual art or craft workshop? Let me know in the poll.
From mandalas to sashiko
Merci Patriz can show you how to make a stunning mandala painting in just 4 hours.
Choose a pattern and follow her step-by-step method using acrylics, markers, dotting tools and decorative crystals.
Her workshop in Plymouth is just one of 56 hands-on arts and crafts events we’ve curated in the run-up to Christmas.
The list is split into 3 regions so you can find a workshop near you or something different that’s worth a trip.
From mandalas to sashiko. See them all here
Fire and food on the riverside
Live-fire cooking (that’s BBQing to you and me) takes over the waterfront as a new feature of Dartmouth Food Festival.
If you’re looking for celebrity chefs, you’ll be tripping over them, with Nathan Outlaw, Susy Atkins, Angela Hartnett and Neil Borthwick in attendance.
70+ events, workshops and talks feature sausage and chilli jam tasting, wood roasted coffee, influential cookbooks and what makes West Country cooking distinctive.
Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October. Full programme here
PARKING AND ACCESSIBILITY: Drivers are advised to use Dartmouth Park and Ride with shuttle buses running to the waterfront.
Most of the festival areas are level and suitable for wheelchairs and scooters. Accessible toilets in Royal Avenue Gardens and Old Market Square.
Mark Steel at the new Ilfracombe Comedy Club
The comedian best known for the BBC Radio 4 series Mark’s Steel’s in Town is the first to headline a new regular comedy spot at the Landmark Theatre.
Steel’s witty observations on life are part of a mixed bill for the opening night, with support from Luke Honnoraty.
The promoters promise some of the biggest UK comedy names in coming weeks.
7.30pm, Saturday 17th October. Tickets: £31.50
Further shows are scheduled for 14th November and 19th December.
Scandal of the hermit priest
The weird true story of a hermit priest who scandalised Bodmin before the war is being told in four local Devon theatre venues.
Written by South Devon playwright Shane Scott, Hour Before Nightfall is driven by the relationship between the eccentric Reverend Densham and a young American journalist.
Reviewers say it is a surprisingly moving story and an intriguing night out.
Saturday 10th October — Cygnet Theatre, Exeter
Thursday 15th October — Ashburton Arts Centre
Wednesday 21st October — St Nicholas Priory, Exeter
Friday 30th October — Barbican Theatre, Plymouth
Cornish venues also available
Links to Tickets: £10-20
Into The Ice: Tales of polar adventure
In 1845, HMS Erebus sailed into the Arctic in search of the North West Passage. The 129 men on board never returned.
The story still grips historians, today none more so than those preparing to gather at a conference of the Devon and Cornwall Polar Society.
Naval historian Fabiënne Tetteroo’s talk on the Erebus tragedy is one of several at Into The Ice, including:
Paul Clammer on the life of Emily, Lady Shackleton, wife of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.
Rory Golden shares stories from his dives, including one to the wreck of Titanic
Professor Antonio Ventre traces aviator Umberto Nobile’s Arctic flights aboard the airships Norge and Italia
Dr David Wilson revisits Captain Scott’s Terra Nova expedition and the party’s fatal journey returning from the South Pole
Saturday 24th October, Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth. Tickets: £55, including lunch and refreshments.
Member poll
Last week’s poll
What would tempt you out for the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival?
Lots of support for the more romantic options…
A telescope session -26%
A moonlit pool dip - 29%
An e-bike ride across the moor - 10%
UV rock pooling - 6%
Supper under the stars - 26%
I’d rather stay warm indoors - 3%
Jimidrew said : “What could be better, good food in a glorious location and a few drinks with like minded people.”
Hardinga chose a moonlit pool dip and commented: “Sadly I don't drive so it's never going to happen, plus mobility issues but I love the idea of doing it ”
Devon Curiosities #126: Burrator Reservoir
A beautiful lake offering many scenic walks, Burrator Reservoir also supplies much of Plymouth’s water.
Here’s what you can do and see.
Walk, run or cycle the 4-mile road circuit - stop for a picnic
Explore nature and history in the woods and moorland
Peer over the massive dam
Visit the accessible aboretum, a half-mile flat walking loop with benches, boardwalks and ponds
For the best panoramas climb Sheepstor
Download a handy map and guide from the South West Lakes Trust or visit the Discovery Centre (check opening times).
An ice cream van turns up at the dam when the weather is good. For more refreshments try the Royal Oak at Meavy or The Burrator Inn at Dousland
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🔭 This Weekend + North
OCTOBER
Wed 7th
CRAFT | 🌿 Willow Basket Weaving – Beginners | Quince Honey Farm, South Molton | £45
Sat 10th
FILM | 🎬 The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Woolacombe Village Hall | £7.50
LIVE MUSIC | 🎷 Slow Slow Loris, Sieben and The Last Highway | Barnstaple Guildhall | £10-£12
Sat 10th to Sun 11th
PHOTOGRAPHY | 📷 Ilfracombe Photography Festival | The Lantern | Free
Thu 15th
COMEDY | 😆 Alistair McGowan: 3 in 1 | The Plough, Great Torrington | £30
Fri 16th
HISTORY WALK | 👻 Hall "Upstairs Downstairs" Haunted History Tour | Hall, Bishop's Tawton | £25
Planning further ahead? Click here for more North Devon events
🔭 This Weekend + South
OCTOBER
Fri 2nd
IMMERSIVE CINEMA | Whale Superhighway | Market Hall, Plymouth | £8.75
IMMERSIVE CINEMA | 🌌 Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon | Market Hall, Plymouth | £21
Sat 3rd
BOXING | 🥊 Rising in the Southwest Plymouth | New Continental Hotel, Plymouth | £38.62
Tue 6th
TALK | 🧜 The History of Mermaids, Sea Spirits & Women | The Quad Theatre, Plymouth | £13.50
Tue 6th to Sat 17th
THEATRE | 🎭 Cats | Theatre Royal, Plymouth | £20+
Thu 8th to Fri 9th
OUTDOOR SKILLS | 🌳 Hedge Laying Course (Devon Style) | Bilany, Dartington | £110
Planning further ahead? Click here for more South Devon events
Submit an event for the listings here. It’s free!
🏆 Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes
FEATURED: 🦌 A 2-night stay at the Gidleigh Park hotel near Chagford (13th Oct)
🏖 A £400 holiday voucher for Ladram Bay Holiday Park, near Budleigh Salterton (13th Oct)
♨ A spa experience at Shaldon including a 1-hour skin treatment and use of gym and sauna facilities, worth £105 (17th Oct)
NEW! 🏖 1 of 2 £375 vouchers for Ladram Bay Holiday Park (1st Nov)
NEW! 🌊 2 nights dinner, bed and breakfast for 2 worth £500 plus spa use at Saunton Sands Hotel (31st Jan)
Want more competitions? Click here
Did you win something? Let me know
New member? Catch up here
That’s all for this week. Thanks for being a member.
NEXT ISSUE Wild words
Andy, Esme and Lara
Cream first. The one and only way to eat scones, whatever they say in Cornwall
