Multi-talented.

Alistair McGowan plays, recites poetry and does amazing impressions.

Dartmoor produces writers, essayists, diarists, poets and lyricists that write about myths, history and the environment.

All very similar to Devon. Versatile, unusual and interesting.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. Feeling crafty? Don’t miss my Arts & Crafts workshops guide for the run up to Christmas.

With Alistair McGowan you get 3 shows in 1.

Best known for his comedy impressions he is also an accomplished classical pianist and budding poet.

All 3 talents are on display in his 3-in-1 Show. Watch the trailer

7.30pm, Thursday 15th October, The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington. Tickets: £30

Sit back on your bean bag and take in giant images of the Northern Lights accompanied by unique piano music.

Canadian-Ukrainian Roman Zavda, a self-taught pianist, is performing the UK premier of his Boreal Resonances at Devonport’s Market Hall.

Reviews say the production is beautiful and original with the piano “entering an dialogue” with nature’s light show.

6pm, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October. Market Hall, Devonport. Tickets: £18.75 (carers free)

Writers, poets and storytellers gather to read their work in an evening celebrating Dartmoor literature and myths.

The Wild Words evening has performances from a dozen writers including Finn Clarke, Susan Taylor, Ben Geers, Tracey Fuller, Mark Blackburn and Sara Hurley.

All the performers have had their writing featured in Wild Words magazine, which you can read, for free, here.

6.30pm, Thursday 22nd October, Sandridge Barton Wines, Stoke Gabriel. Tickets: £7.21

A Dartmoor walk organised by the British Mountaineering Council aims to combine accessibility with industrial and social history.

The route follows the broad tracks of the old Princetown railway line, with gentle gradients, relatively little ascent and is intended as a stead, sociable outing.

Walk leader Julie Woodman is particularly interested in making hill walking accessible and welcoming to all.

Walk details: Easy, about 3.5 miles, ascent 130ft, 3 hours.

9.50am, Saturday 10th October, Princetown Car Park. Location

Tickets: £2. Parking £5.80

Translate the stories from your life into a textile narrative artwork book at a 5-week workshop.

Tutor Rosy Tydeman will guide you through different format options and explain how personal scraps of fabric can create a meaningful story book of life events.

The practical theme of Textile Memory Books workshops is slow stitching, hand sewing in a gentle and mindful way.

The course runs for 5 consecutive Tuesdays between 6.30pm and 9pm, starting Tuesday 3rd November. Venue: Exeter Phoenix Theatre. Cost: £136.50 Book here

More arts and crafts workshops

How far would you travel for an arts and crafts workshop?

Donna chose 25 miles and said: “If it's a subject I'm interested in I'm not going to restrict my travel distance too much.”

Linda selected 10 miles and said: “I am rather rural and cost of diesel would be a factor. ”

Sara said: “Between 10 -20 miles, ideally with an option of public transport.”

A sinister atmosphere lingers at Lydford Castle near Okehampton.

The stone tower is not the stuff of princes or Rapunzels: it was a prison and execution site.

HISTORY: The so-called Lydford’s Law originated here, summed up in the phrase “Hang first, try afterwards.”

Richard Strode, an MP, was imprisoned in the tower in 1510 for complaining that mining waste was silting up Plymouth Harbour.

Castle fans get a bonus. There are actually 2 castles.

Behind the nearby church are the earthworks of an earlier Norman fort.

Explore the ruined tower and grounds, and bring headphones to listen to English Heritage’s online audio guide.

Admission is free. National Trust car park nearby (chargeable).

FEATURED: 🌊 2 nights dinner, bed and breakfast for 2 worth £500 plus spa use at Saunton Sands Hotel (31st Jan)

🏖 A £400 holiday voucher for Ladram Bay Holiday Park, near Budleigh Salterton (13th Oct)

🦌 A 2-night stay at the Gidleigh Park hotel near Chagford (13th Oct)

♨ A spa experience at Shaldon including a 1-hour skin treatment and use of gym and sauna facilities, worth £105 (17th Oct)

NEW! 🦞 A 3 or 4 night break for 4 people at Seadrift, a beautiful waterside escape in Appledore (31st Oct)

NEW! 🌲 A 1-night stay for 2 including a 3-course dinner and full breakfast at the idlyllic Two Bridges Hotel on Dartmoor (31st Oct)

NEW! 🏇 2 Exeter Racecourse tickets for the Sunday 22nd November meet, including a pie and a drink. Entrants must have TQ or EX postcodes (31st Oct)

NEW! 🍷 A delicious lunch for 2 with drinks at The Kitchen at The Donkey Sanctuary, near Sidmouth (31st Oct)

🏖 1 of 2 £375 vouchers for Ladram Bay Holiday Park (1st Nov)

Want more competitions? Click here

Did you win something? Let me know

🪡 From mandelas to sashiko

🌠 Stargazing, but not as you know it

⛵ 2,000 people. One greasy pole

🦌 Wild game, vodka and fudge

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

NEXT ISSUE Josh Widdicombe

Andy, Esme and Lara