A busy week started with me learning the extraordinary story of Napoleon’s 10-day imprisonment in Plymouth Sound.

It’s hard to believe that thousands of “sightseers” took to boats with such enthusiasm to glimpse the defeated Emperor on board H.M.S. Bellerophon - on his way to exile in the South Atlantic.

Clive Charlton of the Plymouth Historical Association took us back to 1815 to explain why a dictator responsible for 12 years of war and 300,000 British military deaths was seen as such “a devilish good fellow.” It was his charm, apparently.

Check out the association’s next talks here.

For something completely different, I sat on a bean bag watching a 1927 silent movie in an immersive dome, with a band playing a soundtrack including Queen, Eric Clapton and The Velvet Underground.

As cinema experiences go, Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans at the Devonport Market Hall couldn’t be further removed from a night at The Vue.

The band is called Wurlitza, and their next Sunrise performance is at Holy Trinity Church, Drewsteignton on 26th February. Find out more and book here.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. Know of any unusual, off-beat events I should cover? Let me know. 

Remember Respond Resist

You don’t get many chances to see the work of Grayson Perry up close and yours is now at the "Remember Respond Resist" exhibition at The Box in Plymouth.

Reviews are positive: “Brilliant, fascinating, and powerful” say visitors.

Perry’s tapestries are described as extraordinary and thought-provoking as he "tackles life in 2000s that nobody else wants to face".

The exhibition explores memory, conflict and activism since WW2 through 23 artists - making for an eclectic curation.

Until 11th January 2026. More details at The Box.

Santas on a Bike

Bikers come dressed as Santas, reindeer and elves in a fun children’s charity parade between Taunton and Barnstaple.

Watch them arrive in South Molton, on their way to put smiles on the faces of children at the Little Bridge House hospice, Fremington.

Last year the event attracted more than 250 bike lovers with a sense of humour. Watch the video.

The parade arrives in South Molton around midday on Saturday 13th December.

Lego and beer chill-out for stressed adults

Ditch the kids, throw off those work worries and swap stress for silliness, socialising and play.

That’s the sales pitch from Exeter Library for a cheap night out for frazzled adults.

The librarians have brought back their popular once a month after-hours Lego session for adults (bring your own beer).

Bricks & Booze is on the last Wednesday of every month, when music is allowed on and the staff bring our their huge collection of play bricks.

Next session is Wednesday 26th January. Tickets £3.96 or £3 on the door.

A festive evening with the talented Chivenor Military Ladies Choir

Enjoy hymns, pop mashups and carols as the military ladies take the stage.

There’s patriotism too as the Chivenor Military Ladies Choir often honour the courage of the armed forces.

They are known for songs such as Wherever You Are and Abide with Me, plus modern arrangements of I'll Be There and Just the Way You Are.

Tuesday 9th December, St Peter’s Church, Barnstaple.

Tickets: £11.96. Accompanied U14 children free.

DC#87 Exmouth Christmas Day swim

Healthy enthusiasm or complete madness?

There’s something about Exmouth folk that makes them challenge themselves on Christmas Day.

Crazy or not, the town can probably boast Devon’s biggest winter swim, happening for more than 50 years, according to those with long memories.

Before the plunge, the crowd sings We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

Benefits of cold water swimming include improved circulation and mood.

Does it also help people get through festive season challenges?

If you’re in the utter madness camp you can always watch, nicely wrapped up on the beach or from a boat.

11am. Exmouth Clock Tower.

(If you know a bigger swim in Devon, let us know).

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result: Do you walk the SW Coast Path?

• Yes 82%

• No 18 %

pcgunning66 wrote: “We walked from Exmouth to Sidmouth in the summer. Fab scenery and we look forward to going again. Long way to travel as we live in Yorkshire. But well worth the effort if you are on holiday.”

davenbabs2007 commented: “Have walked the whole path, finished this September , but will continue to revisit. ” [Congratulations on walking 630 miles! Andy]

laura said: “Yes, but only short stretches between places we visit on day trips.”

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 💫 1 of 6 Devon leisure prizes: 4 annual passes to Milky Way, Watermouth Castle, Clovelly and Dart Country Park. A 2-night B&B at Northgate Hotel, Buckfast Abbey (31st Dec)

🌊 An escape for 4 to Ivy Cove seaside cottage with sauna (9th Dec)

NEW!  🐷 A daily drinks and food giveaway from Devon meat supplier Spoilt Pig (12th Dec)

🍔 A food hamper worth £55 from Greendale Farm, Exeter (14th Dec)

🐶 A 2-night stay for 4 people and 2 dogs in a luxury lodge at the Mole Resort, a welcome hamper and dog treats plus use of swimming pool and gym worth more than £500 (16th Dec)

NEW!  🎅 A £150 festive hamper of organic meat, artisan gin, homemade jam and chutney, and coffee. EX and TQ postcodes only (17th Dec)

🍎 A 5 litre min keg of Devon Red cider from Sandford Orchards (23rd Dec)

NEW!  🌲 A festive stay for 2 with breakfast and dinner at Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plymouth, with use of the spa and 10% off treatments (31st Dec)

NEW!  🍷 A 3-course meal for 2 at Pier Point Restaurant, Torquay, including a bottle of wine or drinks (31st Dec)

NEW!  🌊 A £250 voucher for a 2026 beachside family holiday park break in Dawlish Warren (31st Dec)

NEW!  ⛺️ A weekend for 2 at the HARTA luxury glamping retreat in North Devon worth £485, plus an £80 wellness hamper (31st Dec)

DID YOU GET LUCKY? Let me know

More competitions here

New member? Catch up here

🐮 A great North Devon escape

🌲 Festive arts & crafts near you

👻 Steve Nallon’s Ghost Stories

🎶 Mediaeval Baebes

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

NEXT WEEK  Theatre and Music Shows 2026 (for those who like to book early)

Andy, Esme and Lara