This week’s Go Devon! is full of the unexpected.

Meet an Australian choir in strange hats, discover why mermaids have always been alluring and alarming, and find out where ABBA fans can sing and dress the part.

There’s also a rare chance to wander around a hidden lakeside garden, a closer look at country life at an intimate agricultural show, and several opportunities to catch Devon favourites Mad Dog Mcrea live.

Plus more tempting prizes in the ever popular prize giveaway section.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. Many thanks to all of you for the positive feedback, it seems like Go Devon! is working and no one clicked “could do better”, although I think we can.

Donna summed up the comments: “Your emails are brilliant, they tell me what I need to know in order to plan some fun things - thank you, and it's all set out by area and activity.”

Weird hats, deadpan comedy and some pretty good singing.

Reviewers are all positive about The Spooky Men’s Chorale, a 15-year-old band formed in Australia in 2001 and playing in Plymouth in August.

It’s an act hard to describe so the best thing is to see for yourself.

Watch them perform Abba’s Dancing Queen (video)

7.30pm, Saturday 1st August, Quad Theatre, Marjons University Plymouth. Tickets: £33.22

A hidden private garden near the village of South Brent is open on Sunday for 1 day only.

Enjoy a peaceful lakeside stroll to see the waterside planting and abundant wildlife against the backdrop of dramatic Dartmoor. Open in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.

12pm, Sunday 12th July. Entry £6 | Directions: Drive to South Brent and follow the orange arrows towards Glazebrook. Not accessible | Guide dogs only.

See other Devon gardens open in July

What is it about mermaids that is so intriguing?

Legends and myths from coastal areas are full of mermaids and sea creatures, often female, frequently puzzling.

A talk in Exeter, The History of Mermaids, Sea Spirits & Women, tries to explain why mermaids are at the same time familiar and unfamilar, charming and repulsive, caring and deadly.

7:30pm, Exeter Phoenix Theatre. Tickets: £14.75

So popular are ABBA tribute bands there are enough of them to have an annual UK awards competition.

Sheldon Open Air Theatre near Honiton hosts the 4 times winners later this month when 21st Century ABBA hit the stage.

Go for the singalong or become part of the show by dressing up in costume.

Accessible venue. Details here

8pm, Saturday 25th July, Sheldon Open Air Theatre. Tickets: £25

For an intimate, less commercial agricultural show try Woolsery’s annual event at Clovelly Court near Bideford.

The volunteer-run day has a tradition of horse and pony competitions and livestock displays. Watch the parade of hounds and the grand procession of vintage machinery, all celebrating country life in North Devon.

9am to 5pm, Monday 27th July. Dogs on leads. Tickets: £10

This summer sees several chances to see the popular Plymouth folk rock and gypsy jazz band Mad Dog Mcrea, starting this weekend.

They’re playing at Honiton’s Beehive on Friday 10th July and at the Big Sheep, Bideford on Saturday 11th.

The band headlines an outdoor concert and camping event at Morwellham Quay on Friday 31st July, and then pops up at Sidmouth Folk Festival on Sunday 2nd August.

If you’re new to them, expect songs of adventure, drinking, love and life.

Tour venues and tickets | Watch them play

When you go to an event, do you plan other things to do as well?

Most of Dartmoor’s tors have views, but few as spectacular as Ugborough Beacon.

Looking south from 1,240ft, South Devon is at your feet with the South Hams spread out below and views to the sea.

The man-made prehistoric cairn 20 metres across reminds us that this place has been highly regarded for millenia, not only to survey the landscape but also as a signalling post.

GETTING THERE: A38 to Wrangaton and park in the pay and display car park. Walk uphill past the golf course, continuing onto the open moor.

Alternatively, take your chances with the limited parking spaces at Peek Moor Gate.

An out-and-back climb from either location takes 1-2 hours.

For a longer outing from the top, walk south west to Western Beacon before looping back to Wrangaton.

FEATURED: 🎫 A £1,000 holiday voucher to spend at Ladram Bay Holiday Park (13th Jul)

🍷 A 2-course dinner for 2 at ISCA restaurant, Exeter (10th Jul)

NEW! 🧸 A teddy bear’s picnic afternoon tea at Boringdon Hall, Plymouth (13th Jul)

NEW! 💃 A £250 voucher to spend at Bravissimo (Princesshay, Exeter) (15th Jul)

🧵 1 of 11 pairs of tickets (worth £12 each) for the Creative Craft Show 24th to 26th September at Westpoint, Exeter (14th Jul)

🐑 A pair of tickets to the Mid Devon Show on 25th July (EX or TQ postcodes only may enter. Closes 17th Jul)

NEW! 🍫 A Roly's fudge tasting gift box worth £40 (31st Jul)

🍸 A spa day for 2 near Dartmouth (EX or TQ postcodes only may enter. Closes 31st Jul)

🎫 A £600 voucher to spend at farm-to-table retreat Glebe House near Colyton (2nd Aug)

🫒 A 2-night stay for 2 with dinner at the award-winning Millbrook Inn, Kingsbridge, plus a foodie hamper (13th Sep)

Did you win something? Let me know

🤕 Bideford’s festival of crashes

🌺 Private Devon gardens open in July

🚢 Plymouth’s boat-curious day out

🔔 Teignmouth Folk Festival

That’s all for this week. Thanks for being a member.

NEXT ISSUE 🥄 Spoonfest

Andy, Esme and Lara