The roads were chocked, there was queueing at the gates, and the cakes were running out.

Yelverton’s hidden private gardens (near Tavistock) enjoyed a wave of interest on Sunday, inspiring gardeners and raising funds for St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth.

I particularly enjoyed the rare Chilean firetrees. See dates for more West Devon open gardens here 

Thank you for your survey replies and comments, confirming what you love most about Devon: wildlife and nature, walking, country houses and, of course, gardens!

You can expect more of the above. You also said you like theatre and concerts, festivals, food and drink and heritage, and have more than a passing interest in special offers and competitions!

You’re not so keen on adventure and challenge events, relaxation and spas or shopping, so expect to see fewer of these in your email.

Your feedback is always valuable. Please reply to this email or contact me direct at [email protected] with your thoughts.

The winner of the £25 Amazon Gift card is Jo Furness. Congratulations Jo!

The hunt for the Earl of Rone

As weird and sinister traditions go this annual event in Combe Martin is up there with those in The Wicker Man, and well worth attending for the spectacle.

A hunted man, a fool and a hobby horse, grenadier soldiers, and then a public humiliation followed by an execution, all makes for compelling viewing.

HISTORY: The custom took place every year on Ascension Day until 1837 when it was banned because it encouraged “licentious behaviour”.

• Accounts differ as to its origin, but local legend suggests that the Earl is the Earl of Tyrone, who fled from Ireland in 1607 after some misdemeanour, and hid in North Devon.

• Local historians suggest the entire pageant may be a mix of several stories and legends. The ritual was revived in 1974.

WHEN AND WHERE: From Friday 23rd May to Monday 26th May. Each day has a procession culminating in the gruesome finale on Combe Martin beach on the Monday. Details here

Image creators mingle in Exeter

A 1-day photography and video event brings together photography enthusiasts, amateurs, professional photographers, filmmakers and content creators.

The South West Photo Show, hosted by London Camera Exchange, includes seminars, product demonstrations and exclusive deals from top brands.

• The event is free but seminars covering the threats and opportunities of AI, wildlife photography, portrait-taking and social media tips, must be booked.

10am to 4pm, Saturday 24th May, Exeter Corn Exchange.

Girl gangs gather for a great night time stride

Take part in a moonlit sponsored walk along the Tarka Trail and raise money for North Devon hospice care.

The Bideford Nightwalk starts in the town at 7.30pm on Saturday 17th May and you can choose between a 3 mile stroll to Instow or a 10 miler to Barnstaple.

FUN VIBES: Apart from raising money for a good cause, the event aims to create a fun and memorable experience with a party atmosphere.

• There’s an event village, stage, fun warm-up and live music with entertainment and refreshments along the trail. Leave a message in memory of a loved one at Memory Bridge at Fremington Quay.

To register visit nightwalk.co.uk.

Expect passion and energy from Charlotte

Rising violinist Charlotte Spruit brings her passionate and energetic style to Plymouth next month in a varied evening of classical music by the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra.

She has won 2 international competitions recently and was named Classic FM’s rising star in 2024.

​MUSIC: Academic Festival Overture, Brahms | Violin Concerto, Tchaikovsky | Strike Up the Band, Gershwin | Adagio for Strongs, Barber | An American in Paris, Gershwin

7.30pm, Wednesday 18th June, Minister Church of St Andrew.

Tickets £16 online, £18 on the door

Devon Curiosities #57: Air crash wreckage, Sourton

On Christmas Day 1943, an American B-17 Flying Fortress bomber crashed at Tigers Marsh near Sourton Tors on Dartmoor, with the loss of 5 lives.

Three days later a US Navy Liberator bomber came down about a mile east of the site, at Corn Ridge near Stenga Tor, with 10 airmen killed.

Remarkably, more than 80 years on, wreckage from this double wartime tragedy remains, providing a sad and poignant reminder. Both were thought to have been mainly caused by poor weather.

MEMORIALS: In 2022, the Royal Navy airlifted memorial stones to each of the sites, fulfilling a long term goal of Dartmoor National Park Authority ranger Ian Brooker.

WHAT CAN YOU SEE: Small aluminium fragments and armour plating of the B-17 lie strewn at the Tigers Marsh site. Larger pieces of Liberator fuselage, engine and wing are visible in the West Okement Valley.

HOW TO GET THERE: Sourton is the nearest starting point. Location of Liberator crash site. Map and many pictures available on Dartmoor Explorations.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

North Devon events May to October

🐬 South Devon

South Devon events May to October

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🌟 A mid-week 1-night rejuvenation break for 2 at the 5-star Boringdon Hall, including breakfast, spa treatment and dinner (19th Jun)

🐴 2 tickets to the Devon County Show (only EX or TQ postcodes can enter) (12th May)

🏊️ A Tinside Lido season ticket for unlimited acess to Plymouth’s art deco pool for the holder plus 1 other from 24th May to 15th September 2025 (15th May)

♨️ A weekend break for 2 at a Torquay leisure resort with cabaret, swimming pool, gym and spa (18th May)

🌲A Forestry England membership worth £94, giving free parking to more than 20 Devon forests, plus all those in the rest of the country (20th May)

NEW!  ⛳️ A round of golf for 4 at the The Dartmouth Hotel, Golf & Spa championship course designed by renowned British golf course archtect Jeremy Pern (26th May)

NEW!  🎣 A 3-night stay at the tranquil countryide retreat of Lakeview Manor, Honiton, with a hot tub and surrounded by fresh country air (29 May).

NEW!  🍾 A luxury 2-night stay for 2 in the magnificent Royal York and Faulkner Hotel in Sidmouth, with a bottle of prosecco on arrival, full English breakfast each morning, a 4-course table d’hote dinner each evening and a 90-minute exclusive session in the hotel’s stunning spa with hydrotherapy pool, steam cabin and sauna (30th May)

A 1-night short break in Exeter including travel, B & B at the Rougemont Hotel, a £100 fish restaurant voucher, plus tours of Exeter Gin and the city’s underground passages (31st May)

🏰 A 2-night stay for 2 at the 5-star Bovey Castle, including a Land Rover Defender tour, a free activity of your choice, dinner and 2 breakfasts (24th Jul)

❓️ Have you won a prize from a link you found here? Let me know.

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🌲 Why is a man covered in leaves parading through Ilfracombe?

🎸 No Glastonbury tickets? Try these top Devon alternatives

💥 The £5 Victorian fortress that still fires cannons

🎵 Before you book a Devon music festival, read this

That’s all for this week.

Thanks for being a member.

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team