😀 Hello Devon Lovers!

What’s the collective name for paddleboarders? I’ve gone for flock but maybe I got it wrong? What do you think?

Enjoy today’s newsletter!

Be Part Of A World Record Paddleboarding Attempt And Help Save Lives

As stand up paddleboarding becomes ever more popular so the demands on lifeguards increase and the importance of water safety awareness becomes greater.

The Great Big Paddle Board Parade in Torbay on Saturday 2nd September brings together paddleboarders in a celebration of the sport, a world record attempt and a charity fund-raiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

An attempt to assemble 1,000 paddleboarders in one place could see Torbay in the Guinness Book of Records.

Launching locations are Goodrington and Broadsands with elite paddlers leaving from Abbey Sands.

The parade cruises the coast between the starting locations and Fishcombe Cove then turns round and returns to the start points.

Standard tickets are £15 per paddler. The fee is actually a non-refundable charity donation for the RNLI.

Minimum age is 14.

South Devon Revs Up For 2 Classic Car and Vehicle Extravaganzas in July

Multi-make classic vehicle enthusiasts from the Crash Box & Classic Car Club show off their pride and joys at Powderham Castle, Exeter on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July.

Run by enthusiastic members since 1964, the club will be displaying everything from pre-war vehicles to modern and future classics including cars, lorries, buses and tractors.

Historic Vehicle Gathering, Powderham Castle, Kenton, Exeter EX6 8JQ: Day tickets from £13.

Three days later for one day only Lympstone Manor near Exmouth is transformed into a car park for supercars, powerboats, and motorbikes.

Listen to exclusive talks from VIP guests Damon Hill and Rob Smedley from Formula One.

Enjoy folk music from Steve Knightley, sing along with pop favourites Scouting For Girls, and smooch to chart-toppers Soul II Soul and house music legend Judge Jules.

Lympstone Manor, Exmouth EX8 3NZ. Wednesday 12th July, 12 til 12. Tickets £40.

Try Uzbek And Afghan Food At The Devon Street Food Festival, Ilfracombe

It’s back in Ilfracombe for the 7th year so the Devon Street Food Festival must be doing something right.

From Friday 28th to Sunday 30th July there’s a flavour feast with each trader cooking a different cuisine, from bao (savoury steamed) buns, Moroccan, Caribbean and Greek to Mexican, Afghan, and Uzbek.

A live music stage at Victoria Pleasure Gardens hosts musicians and DJs everyday of the festival.

You'll be able to boogie whilst munching on some delicious street food and sipping refreshing drinks.

Free entry. Victoria Pleasure Gardens, Ilfracombe EX34 9AR

Join unlikely hero Shrek and his noble steed Donkey as they embark on a big, bright, musical adventure

Based on the Oscar-winning film, the Broadway and West End hit Shrek the Musical is a fun-filled musical comedy with a cast of vibrant characters and a “shrek-tackular” score.

Featuring the beloved Princess Fiona, the evil Lord Farquaad, a host of fairy-tale characters and fabulous songs, Shrek the Musical is an extravaganza for big and little kids alike.

Come join the adventure as Shrek and Donkey try to complete their quest, finding unexpected friendships and surprising romance along the way.

A perfect night out for the young, and young at heart, the show can be fun for all ages. Maybe you’ll even be dancing in the aisles.

Friday 21st to Thursday 27th July. Theatre Royal Plymouth, PL1 2TR

Tickets from £30

Talk: What Drives Fetish And Kink Behaviours? Learn practical steps to communicate your desires

Even though about half of UK adults report having a fetish or kink (where sexual gratification is linked to a particular object or activity) this ticklish subject is shrouded in taboo and misunderstanding.

In The Psychology of Fetish and Kink talk by sex and intimacy coach Dr Lori Beth Bisbey, the topic gets demystified and the often asked question… (am I normal?) is answered, say the promoters.

Other posers are what are the psychological and social triggers for fetish and kink behaviours and how do the individuals who engage experience pleasure and fulfilment?

The 2.5 hour talk will give practical steps on how to explore your desires, communicate with partners and deal with any feelings you have around this aspect of sexuality.

Tuesday 11th July | Exeter Phoenix | Gandy Street | Exeter EX4 3LS | 7pm | Tickets from £12.98

Wednesday 12th July | Crowne Plaza Plymouth | Armada Way | Plymouth PL1 2HJ | 6.45pm | Tickets from £12.98

Experience Pure Queen At The Sheldon Open Air Theatre, 29th July

Dance and sing the night away to classic Queen in Sheldon’s beautiful open air theatre tucked away in the Teign valley.

There’ll be a “Kind of Magic” as the tribute band led by Freddie Mercury look and sound-alike Mike Sanders delivers 25 authentically reproduced hits in an explosive performance.

Your ticket buys you a lovely patch of grass to sit on in the open air auditorium. Bring your own rug, mat or cushion to sit on (no chairs).

All seating is on a first come, first served basis on the night.

Sheldon Centre, Doddiscombsleigh, Exeter EX6 7YT

Tickets. Adult £18, child U14 £12, child U3 free.

Listings

North Devon

JUNE

Thurs 29th

LIVE MUSIC | 🎺 Motown Soul & Disco Party. Dance the night away at RHS Garden Rosemoor with a whole evening of Motown | 5pm to 11pm | Great Torrington EX38 8PH | Tickets. Members £15, non-members £20.

JULY

Frid 14th to Sun 16th

LIVE MUSIC | 🎸 Funk Up The Farm 2023, 3-day micro dance music festival featuring drum ‘n bass, funk and breaks acts | Wrights Farm, Kentisbury, Barnstaple EX31 4NQ | Tickets from £38.32.

Sat 15th

OUTDOOR CINEMA | 🎞 Grease, the most successful film musical of all time | Gates open 8.15pm, film starts at 9.45pm | Arlington Court, Arlington, Barnstaple EX31 4LP. Tickets from £17.18.

Thurs 27th to Sat 29th

FESTIVAL | ☀️ Altitude, The Little Festival With the Big Heart | Live music, DJs, craft beers, street food | Blackborough near Cullompton EX15 2HJ. Find out more and tickets.

AUGUST

Wed 2nd

COUNTRY SHOW | 🐄 North Devon Show, livestock, parades, crafts, live music | 8am to 6pm | Umberleigh Barton, Umberleigh EX37 9DX

South Devon

JULY

Sat 1st

COMIC THEATRE | 🎭 Outdoor production of The Wave “the most bonkers performance” with laughter and singing | Mothecombe House, Holbeton Plymouth PL8 1LB | 7pm to 8pm | Tickets £10-£40.

Sun 2nd

MILITARY MUSIC | 🎺 The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth | Theatre Royal, Plymouth | PL1 2TR Tickets £20

LIVE MUSIC | Indie-pop band Bastille, Bad Blood X show | Powderham Castle, Exeter | Tickets from £50.

Wed 5th to Sat 8th

THEATRE | 🦷️The Demon Dentist by David Walliams | Theatre Royal Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets £13-£25.

Fri 7th

CHARITY WALK | 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️St Lukes Hospice Midnight Walk, 3 miles, 6 miles, or 13.1 miles | Home Park stadium | Tickets £24 adult, £12 U10s.

Mon 10th

LIVE COMEDY | 😂 Comedian and Radio 4 star Andy Hamilton | The Quad Theatre, Marjon University | 7.30pm | Tickets £22.

Sat 15th

OPEN DAY | ⚓️ Britannia Royal Naval College opens it doors to the public for the first time since 2019 | 10am - 4pm | College Way, Dartmouth TQ6 0HJ | Free entry.

Sat 22nd

MUSIC | 🎶 90s Silent Disco at Powderham Castle for the first time, select from 3 different channels of music | 7.30pm | Powderham Castle, Exeter EX6 8JQ | Tickets from £27.43

SEPTEMBER

Sat 9th

SWIM / RUN | 🏊‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️Rocky Horror Swim Run | Choice of distances. Long: 4 swims (2 km) and 3 runs (15 miles), medium: 3 swims (1.5 km) and 2 runs (12 miles), short: 2 swims (1 km) and 1 run (7 miles) l Start 1.30pm | Hope Cove, Galmpton TQ7 3EY | Solo, relay or pair tickets. From £25.

Mon 18th

GEOLOGY | ⛏ Day Trip with Stuart Line Cruises. 6.5 hour seaborne tour of South Devon’s coastal geology | Exmouth | 10.30am to 5pm. £25 per person.

Want your event listed? Email us.

Want even more ideas?

As a lifelong Devon fan I’ve come up with my list of the most exciting and interesting activities, attractions and curiosities.

Whether indoor or outdoor, active or relaxed, family or individual there’s something for everyone so long as you like getting out and about!

Discover 50 unique, unusual and “different” things to do in glorious Devon (downloadable PDF) today when you refer a friend

More exciting, surprising and interesting events and things to do next week.

With love, cream and jam (in that order).

🌊 Andy and the Go Devon! team