A bizarre and colourful pageant happens in the oldest part of Barnstaple next week.

The Pilton Green Man Festival celebrates the pagan symbol of nature and fertility in a heritage event that grows in popularity each year.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The giant masks stand for the opposing forces of the church (The Prior of Pilton in red) and fertility (The Green Man).

• Although initially opposed, the representatives of God and Nature are reconciled and the traditions and beliefs of The Green Man are accepted.

Get along on Saturday 19th July to see the cast of costumed monks and attendants parade in a tradition dating back 800 years and revived in 1982.

TIMINGS: The procession starts at 11am on The Square in Barnstaple, making its way to Rotary Gardens for The Pageant at 12pm and again at 3pm.

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Magical mindfulness on a barge journey

If you wanted a lazy day out to escape from work, the news and Tik Tok, a peaceful trip on a horse drawn barge would do the trick, wouldn’t it?

The Tiverton Canal Company runs the last one in Devon and one of the few left in Britain. It’s a “living heritage” centre and offers lots of other fun.

WHAT ELSE: Choose from rowing boats, admiring the heavy horses, a canal walk, the tea shop, or just enjoying the wildlife on the Grand Western Canal.

• Staff and crew dress in clothes from a bygone era and the Brind family run special adult only “Serenity Sunday” afternoon trips that aim to be “mindful and magical”.

Open every day except Monday and Friday until September, and most Fridays too during August. Website

Brassy melodies to lift the soul

It’s a warm summer’s evening by the sea. The ice cream van is still there. And the band is playing.

Bideford Town Band is playing free 1 hour concerts on Westward Ho! seafront every Thursday until August 28th.

Sit back with your vanilla cone and listen to some traditional brassy melodies that lift the soul.

The band has been going since 1853 and you can help them keep going by throwing some coins in their bucket.

From 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Behold, a cathedral of cheese

On a few summer Friday mornings Quicke’s Farm opens its doors to a limited number of people to show them the craft of cheesemaking.

You can see how cheddar is made and look around inside the “Cathedral of Cheese” (the storage area for the huge truckles of cheese as they come of age).

Listen to an intriguing history of the Quicke family, visit the milking parlour, learn about mould (that’s right), cloth covers, and how to grade cheese.

THE BEST BIT: Sampling, and, if you have room, lunch nearby at The Beer Engine.

15th August, 5th and 26th September (all Fridays). Tickets: £45

WORD OF THE DAY: Truckle, a cylindrical wheel of cheese.

Get creative with summer art workshops

Explore your artistic side in a beautiful peaceful setting.

Art workshops near Exeter in July and August cater for all skill levels from beginner to experienced.

Artist Henrietta Clavering runs classes of up to 12 at West Town Farm, Ide, in a dedicated classroom overlooking apple orchards and with stunning, paintable views.

Watch a short video of her in action.

Choose from oil painting outside, life drawing, the human form (proportion and perspective) and drawing trees.

Wednesdays and Saturdays. 10am to 4pm. Classes: £75

Devon Curiosities #66: Cobbaton Combat

This huge museum of British, American and Russian militaria near Umberleigh is not open to the public that often.

So if you are a fan of wartime artefacts get yourself along to the special Victory in Europe celebration days on 9th and 10th August, when the doors will be open.

WHAT TO SEE: The unique collection, amassed over 44 years, has tanks, trucks, armoured cars, guns, helmets, artillery and grenades all rammed into outdoor sheds.

• There are Home Front ration books, gas masks and blackout lamps. The exhibits come from the Boer War, both World Wars, the Falklands War and the First Gulf War.

FOR COLLECTORS: Visit the shop selling inert ammunition, clothing, hats, badges, survival equipment, books and souvenirs.

From 10am to 4pm Saturday 9th, and from 3pm Sunday 10th August.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: ⛵️ A sailing weekend for 2 on a classic yacht from Dartmouth with an experienced skipper and all meals included (31st Aug)

NEW!  🌊 A 2-night stay in a restored Appledore coastal retreat, sleeping up to 6 people, plus a supply of Luscombe Drinks, worth over £150 (13th Jul)

🛶 A 1.5-hour family kayak or paddleboard session in Exmouth suitable for all abilities with all equipment provided (15th Jul)

🐮 2 tickets to the Mid Devon Show taking place on 26th Jul. Only Only EX or TQ postcodes can enter (18th Jul)

🌺 2-nights for 2 at Northcote Manor, a wisteria-clad 18th century country house hotel with spa and an AA award-winning restaurant. Full English breakfast each morning and a 3-course dinner on the first evening (20th Jul)

🐆 1 of 4 family tickets to Exmoor Zoo (23rd Jul)

🪡 1 of 5 pairs of tickets to the Creative Craft Show and The Stitching Show in Exeter this September (24th Jul)

NEW!  🐴 A 2 night luxury stay including a 3-course meal for 2 at a riverside hotel in Dartmoor National Park (31st Jul)

NEW!  🍺A 15-pack summer beer bundle with T-shirt and sunglasses, from Bays Brewery (31st Jul)

🏰 A 1-night stay at Dartington Hall near Totnes with afternoon tea. Only EX or TQ postcodes can enter (31st Jul)

🐮 A luxury 3-night farm stay experience for up to 4 people at Little Comfort Farm, North Devon (31st Jul)

🐑 A 4-night stay for 4 people in Dipple Mill Cottage, self-catering in the North Devon countryside (20th Aug)

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

New member? Catch up here

🫧 The legendary Bideford soapbox derby

💀 Storm strikes outdoor Macbeth

🪙 Honiton Hot Pennies Day

🫖 Our best places for a summer cream tea

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

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team