I had a fun, activity-packed birthday weekend.

My son came down from London.

We did the Plymouth Park Run with my sister Saturday morning, watched Argyle v Wimbledon with beer and pasties, then enjoyed a tasty beef curry cooked by my lovely Mum.

Sunday morning we were in the Life Centre for an invigorating swim, then strolled into town for Karak Chaii street food.

Back home for a speed chess challenge during which as usual I blundered into several defeats.

My weekends are not usually this busy.

After I’ve finished this week’s Go Devon! I’m off for a lie down. Thank you everyone for your cards and gifts.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. Dartmouth Food Festival kicks off tomorrow (Friday 24th) and is on all weekend. Get loads more ideas for interesting things to do on our North Devon and South Devon events pages.

CORRECTION: The “jinglefest” gathering of 200 Morris dancers for Children in Need is on Saturday 15th November.

Van Gogh’s tortured art-mind

Beyond Van Gogh is an “immersive” walk-around experience of 300 large images of the painter’s masterpieces with a soundtrack and quotes from his letters.

The idea is to make art more accessible with light, music and animation offering an insight into the artist’s busy and complex brain.

Here’ s an edited AI review summary:

• Many highlight a unique, emotionally-moving, and dreamlike atmosphere, with praise for the innovation, making a change from traditional galleries.

• Others complain of pixelated projections, not enough seating, and the show feeling like a "cash grab" due to the ticket price.

See for yourself!

Westpoint Arena, Exeter, until Friday 31st October. Tickets £24.30

Handel’s uplifting choral powerhouse

Nearly 300 years old and still going strong, The Messiah is one of the most popular and frequently performed choral works.

Audiences in Exeter love it and The University of Exeter Chapel Choir’s performance is an intimate affair compared to some of the giant renditions.

The chapel choir is an auditioned group of 26 student musicians under the guidance of a professional musical director.

7pm, Saturday 6th December, Mary Harris Memorial Chapel of the Holy Trinity, Prince of Wales Road. Exeter. Tickets £8-£15

Tawny owls, a talk

Tawny owls are often heard but rarely seen.

This talk by expert Stephen Powles shares his deep knowledge of the breed. He observed a single wild “tawny” for more than 20 years.

Formerly a vet, Stephen changed career to pursue a passion for wildlife and photography. His work has featured in national media and won major awards.

• The talk, organised by the Devon Wildlife Trust, is followed by questions and a discussion.

7pm, Friday 14th November, Fremington Parish Hall, Fremington, Barnstaple.

• No booking required, suggested donation £3. More information here.

How Brunel spanned the divide

Everyone knows Britain’s most famous engineer built Plymouth’s Royal Albert Bridge.

What they perhaps don’t know is the damaging in-fighting and controversy he had to overcome to get it built.

That’s the subject of a talk by Owen Ryles at the Plymouth Atheneum next week.

Spanning the divide: Brunel and the Royal Albert Bridge

12.30pm, Tuesday 28th October, Derrys Cross, Plymouth. Free.

Bideford annual open art exhibition

Artists from across the UK submit their work for exhibition at this annual art-fest.

It provides and broad overview of current UK artistic practice, from painting and ceramics to printmaking, sculpture and textiles.

All the artworks are for sale and funds raised support the work of the gallery.

• Saturday 15th November to Sunday 21st December. The Burton at Bideford. Free entry.

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result: “Who runs the best tar barrels event?”

• Ottery St Mary 75%

• Hatherleigh 25%

Laura voted for Ottery and said: “It’s better because it’s the most bonkers.”

youngdoug selected Hatherleigh and wrote: “More local, more intimate, more friendly, more fun.”

Devon Curiosities #81: Kelly Micaceous Haematite Mine

What’s micaceous haematite, I hear you ask.

It’s a form of iron oxide, known as “shiny ore”, used to make anti-rust paint and “writing sand” for blotting ink, once sold as Devonshire Sand.

There were several shiny ore mines in the Lustleigh area but due to a twist of history Kelly Mine is the only one with its original mining machinery.

• When the mine went bust in 1951, the equipment was left to the landowner in place of the cash owed and for some reason was never sold off.

Enthusiasts worked for 40 years restoring the washing, jigging and stamping machines.

• Visitors can see the settling tanks, waterwheels, mine tramway and wagons. There is no underground access.

Admission is free with donations welcome. Open most Wednesdays and Sundays.

• Kelly Mine Preservation Society.

• Exact location

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🐎 A 3-course Sunday lunch for 2 at the Two Bridges Hotel, Princetown (31st Oct)

NEW!   🏰 A £300 pub stay voucher to enjoy at the newly-refurbished Royal Castle pub in Dartmouth, plus a Salcombe Gin gin-making experience and a gin gift hamper (30th Oct)

NEW!   🌊 A cosy 2-night retreat for 2 including breakfast both mornings and dinner one evening at a choice of destinations including The Seagate in Appledore. (31st Dec)

NEW!   🐴 A 2-night midweek break for up to 6 people in a safari lodge at Longlands on the Western border of Exmoor. (31st Oct)

💫 A 4-course Michelin star lunch at Lympstone Manor, Exmouth (31st Oct)

🔑 A Michelin Key stay for 2 at The Collective at Woolsery, with dinner, bed and breakfast (2nd Nov)

NEW!  ♨️ A Woolacombe Bay Hotel spa day for 2 people worth £160 (5th Nov)

NEW!   🍷 1 of 10 Lyme Bay Winery wine bundles worth £50+ each (15th Nov)

🌳 A huge boost to your photography credentials, a tree photography book and a framed photo of the winning entry. Exeter’s tree photography competition (20th Nov)

NEW!   🌟 A monster food and drink bundle including £345 in vouchers for the Chagford Inn, Pig & Olive pizzas and One Mile Bakery, lunch for 2 at the Ring O’ Bells, Cheriton Fitzpaine, dinner for 2 at the Two Bridges Hotel, Princetown, a jeroboam of Rull Orchard cider, and a £100 Powderkeg craft beer bundle (31st Nov)

GET LUCKY? Have you won a prize from a link here? Let me know

More competitions here

New member? Catch up here

🔥 Raw pagan energy

🍰 Foodie heaven in Dartmouth

🎸 Live music nights with tunes you know and love

🥳 40+ offers and discounts for Devon residents

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

NEXT WEEK   Born bred pasty-fed

Andy, Esme and Lara