|
THEATRES
|
|
|
|
CINEMAS
|
|
|
|
MUSIC
|
|
See "Gig Guide" in Music Section
of 'What's On' supplement of North Devon Journal, weekly
newspaper 80p.
|
|
NATIONAL TRUST
|
|
There'll be many events this year at the
National Trust's 2,700 acre Arlington Court, half of which
are specifically organised for children. Fun Fridays offer
activities from Easter to Hallowe'en.
See: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlingtoncourt/events2009
|
|
|
|
FEBRUARY
|
|
|
|
until 22nd Feb
|
|
|
|
8th
|
Snowdrop Sunday at Hartland Abbey
12 noon to 5.00pm. Tel: 01884 860225 for more info.
CANCELLED DUE TO POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS
|
|
|
15th
|
|
|
|
the night of Sat 28th
|
Startrek Night Walk 2009- Do you like
a challenge ?
A night orienteering exercise over a figure-of-eight
course set on Exmoor. The event is run by the Rotary Club
of Ilfracombe; all the participants, usually more than 400,
are sponsored to raise funds for Children’s Hospice
South West, the North Devon Hospice and other worthy causes
identified by the Rotary club.
Entry forms can be downloaded from: www.rotary-startrek.org.uk
|
|
|
|
MARCH
|
|
|
|
Lambing in North Devon (the Great Blizzard
of 1978)
|
"....if it ain't a fit night for
any man or beast...."
these black and white photos were taken by the late James
Ravilious: a small collection of his many pictures, capturing
a recently lost way of life in North Devon's rural community,
can be seen in the Museum of North Devon, The Square, Barnstaple
(admission free); this office, the tourist information centre,
is also based there. Several wonderful books of Ravilious
photographs are on sale at the Burton Art Gallery and Museum,
in Bideford.
|
|
|
7th
|
RHS Garden Rosemoor - Free Open Day
'Grow your own vegetables....'
from 10.00am. Tel: 01805 626800 for more info.
|
|
|
13th + 14th
|
Clovelly: Ocean Angels
Womens rowing team rowing to Lundy and back again.
Normal admission charges to village.
|
|
|
14th
|
Porlock Vale Horticultural and Home Industries
Society Spring Show
Competion open to all. Classes in Flowers, vegetables,fruit,cookery
and wine....
Venue: Porlock Village Hall
Price: £0.50
Time: 14:00-17:00
- for further information contact Porlock Tourist Centre
on 01643 863150
|
|
|
Sat 21st
|
Great Torrington Cavalier March
2.00pm - Musket competition @ 1646 (detail to be confirmed)
7.00pm - Musket volley, march leaves Great Torrington school
7.20pm - Musket volley, wreath laying and proclamation in
town square
7.45pm - Musketry and fireworks in South Street car park
8.30pm - Retire in good order to the ale house
Contact Torrington 1646 on tel: 01805 626146 for
more info.
|
|
|
|
APRIL
|
|
|
|
Sat 4th
|
Craft Fair & Open Day at Ilfracombe
Sea Cadets HQ
Ropery Road, Ilfracombe, EX34 9BQ - will be signposted
from the harbour.
Open 10am – 4pm. Free Admission. – LOCAL
CRAFTS / TOMBOLA / BRIC A BRAC / MEET A DALEK!
See: website
....also at approx 2.15pm: launch of new safety
power boat at the harbour
Boat rides in the harbour (over 10 yr olds only)
|
|
|
Sun 5th - Sun 12th
|
Clovelly: Fantastic Fudge Hunt
Find one of ten fudge stones, which'll be hidden each
day in Clovelly village.
Win up to a kilo of yummy Clovelly fudge.
Normal admission charges to village.
|
|
|
Sun 12th + Mon 13th (Bank Hol)
|
Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh
Family Easter Bunny Hunt and Daffodil Weekend
....follow our egg-citing cryptic clues around the woodland
gardens amongst a host of daffodils, find the answers and
win a chocolate prize!
See: www.castlehilldevon.co.uk
|
|
|
Sat 25th
|
New look Wimpy Restaurant at High Cross
in Barnstaple's High Street
Customers are invited to join the Wimpy team at the new
look restaurant at 26 High Street, Barnstaple on Saturday
from 9.30am. There will be a real celebratory, nostalgic
feel at the restaurant, which has served burgers, Knickerbocker
Glories and Brown Derbies - Wimpy's signature doughnut and
ice cream pudding to generations in Barnstaple, since it
opened on this original site 40 years ago. Barnstaple RUFC
team and coach are also invited. Face painting and balloons.
|
|
|
Sat 25th + Sun 26th
|
RHS Garden Rosemoor - National Rhododendron
Show
from 10.00am. Tel: 01805 626800 for more info.
|
|
|
Thurs 30th to Fri 8th May
|
|
|
|
|
MAY
|
|
|
|
Fri 1st - Mon 4th
|
Ilfracombe Beer Festival
at The Landmark Theatre
Tel: 01271 865655 for more info.
|
|
|
Sun 3rd + Mon 4th
|
Ilfracombe 'Jack in the Green' May Day
Celebrations
Telephone Ilfracombe TIC on 01271 863001 for more info.
|
|
|
probably Sun 3rd and Mon 4th
|
Chenson Woods Bluebell Walk
2.00pm to 6.00pm Sunday and Monday
Two trails through the woods and fields of Chenson Farm
(via A377 between Eggesford and Lapford): there are 60 acres
of ancient and semi-natural woodland on this organic farm.
Allow up to one hour per trail - lots of other woodland
flowers (see information notices along the paths). Entry
£1.50 per person. Cream Teas available - proceeds
to local church projects. For more information please 'phone
01363 83746 or 01363 83236.
|
|
|
Thurs 7th
|
Great Torrington May Fair
|
|
|
9th + 10th
|
|
|
|
21st, 22nd, 23rd
|
|
|
|
Fri 22nd to Mon 25th
|
Combe Martin: Hunting of the Earl of
Rhone
- for further information contact Combe Martin TIC at mail@visitcombemartin.co.uk
or 'phone 01271 883319
|
|
|
Sat 23rd to Mon 25th
|
Westward Ho! Potwalloping Festival 2009
- potwalloping is the gathering of stones and boulders from
the beach, left by winter storms, and replacing them on
the 'pebble ridge' that protects the 'burrows' from coastal
erosion
|
|
|
Sat 23rd to Mon 25th
|
Clovelly: Celebration of Local Ales
and Cider
Normal admission charges to village.
|
|
|
Mon 25th
|
Braunton Carnival
|
|
|
Bank Hol Mon 25th
|
Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh
Plant Fair
Local nurseries selling rare and unusual plants. (In support
of The National Council for the Conservation of Plants and
Gardens).
See: www.castlehilldevon.co.uk
|
|
|
27th to 30th
|
Royal Bath & West Show 2009
9am - 6.30pm daily
Shepton Mallet, Somerset
|
|
|
Thurs 28th to Sun 31st
|
Appledore Visual Arts Festival 2009
www.appledorearts.org
or 'phone the Festival Coordinator on 07900 212747
|
|
|
30th + 31st
|
South Molton Vintage Rally
Telephone South Molton TIC on 01769 574122 for more
info.
|
|
|
|
JUNE
|
|
|
|
1st to 30th
|
|
|
|
4th, 5th and 6th
|
|
|
|
Sat 6th
|
West Down Day - an old fashioned summer
fayre....
In the village of West Down, near Ilfracombe. Free parking
& entry to field.
Tug-o -war, junior five aside football, dancing, music -
West Down Celidh Band - beer tent & food, many
stalls & competitions.
Entry to field 1 p.m. Events start at 2 p.m.
Disco & spit roast in the evening at the Parish Hall
7.30pm.
|
|
|
6th to 14th
|
Ilfracombe Victorian Celebration
- one of the most popular events of the year, everyone,
it seems, in Ilfracombe dresses up in Victorian costume
for nine days of splendour: there are horse drawn carriages,
steam engines, punch and judy shows, street entertainment,
brass bands and boat trips. Many visitors bring their own
costume and join in !
See www.ilfracombevictoriancelebration.org.uk
for full details.
|
|
|
7th
|
Devon Coast to Coast Challenge 2009
Sponsored Cycling Challenge in aid of The North Devon
Hospice.... "It's a great route, and once again, we
will be offering the D route (70 miles) or the Z route (100
miles), so you can tailor your challenge."
See www.coast-coast.co.uk
for all the gen.
|
|
|
12th to 14th
|
Lynton & Lynmouth Music Festival.
This is an open-air and free music festival for all ages
and musical tastes set in the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth,
on the coast of Exmoor National Park, over the weekend 8th
- 10th June.
See www.llama.org.uk
for full details of the bands playing and the stages as
well as accommodation information. Part of the North Devon
Festival, this is the largest free music festival in Devon.
|
|
|
14th
|
Combe Martin Strawberry Fayre
|
|
|
19th to 21st
|
Art Trek Open Studios
See: www.northdevonfestival.org
|
|
|
19th to 21st
|
|
|
|
20th + 21st
|
South Molton Olde English Fayre
Saturday is Fayre Day (events throughout the day); Civic
Parade on Sunday
- for further information contact South Molton TIC at mail@visitsouthmolton.co.uk
or 'phone 01769 574180
|
|
|
20th + 21st
|
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Scent of Summer Weekend
from 10.00am
- phone 01805 626800.
|
|
|
26th to 28th
|
Art Trek Open Studios
See: www.northdevonfestival.org
|
|
|
Sat 27th + Sun 28th
|
Holsworthy Vintage Vehicle & Engine
Rally
The Showfield, Holsworthy (about 1.5 miles west of Holsworthy,
on the southern side of the A3072 Bude road). 10am to 5pm.
Admission Sat Adult £4, Child £1; Sun Adult
£5 Child £1. See: www.visitholsworthy.co.uk/showevent.php?id=103
|
|
|
|
JULY
|
|
|
|
every weekend (Fri-Sun)
|
Combe Martin Music Festival
every weekend in July
- for further information contact Combe Martin TIC at mail@visitcombemartin.co.uk
or 'phone 01271 883319
|
|
|
Fri 3rd to Sun 5th
|
|
|
|
Sun 5th
|
|
|
|
Sat 11th + Sun 12th
|
Clovelly: Lundy Island Gig Race
The annual gig race from Clovelly around Lundy Island
and back.
The ocean rowing race. Starts at 3pm on Saturday from Clovelly.
Returns to Clovelly from Lundy on Sunday (having departed
Lundy at 10am).
Normal admission charges to village.
|
|
|
Sun 12th
|
Woolacombe National Sandcastle Competition
2009
at Woolacombe Beach 11am to 4pm
Team entries (six per team) are invited - tel: 01271 344248
also all small children asked to come with buckets and spades
to help build a special display
|
|
|
17th
|
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Open Air Theatre
- phone 01805 626800.
|
|
|
Sat 18th
|
Pilton Green Man Festival - Barnstaple
- for further information contact Linacre's Pottery on tel:
01271 375776.
- to book stall space contact Pilton Stores on tel: 01271
372418.
|
|
|
18th + 19th
|
Power Boat Racing at Ilfracombe
- for further information contact Ilfracombe TIC: 'phone
01271 863001
|
|
|
19th
|
Bideford Water Festival
Telephone Bideford TIC on 01237 477676
|
|
|
Mon 20th to Sun 26th
|
Lynton Flower Festival
Church of St Mary the Virgin, 10.00am to 6.00pm.
|
|
|
tbc
|
|
|
|
Sat 26th
|
Clovelly Maritime Festival
in support of the North Devon Hospice.
10am to 5pm. Juggling, Punch and Judy, treasure hunt, Shanty
Singers, puppet theatre, hog roast on th beach.
Normal admission charges to village.
|
|
|
27th
|
Appledore & Instow Regatta: Gig Races
|
|
|
Mon 27th
|
Woolsery Show
Agricultural Show held at Clovelly Court, from 9.00am.
A quintessential English rural show, in aid of various charities,
run entirely on a volunteer basis by local farmers. Classes
include crafts, cattle and sheep, along with horse and pony
competitions.
See: www.woolseryshow.org.uk
|
|
|
|
AUGUST
|
|
|
|
1st + 2nd
|
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Clematis Exhibition
- phone 01805 626800.
|
|
|
1st + 2nd
|
Clovelly: Lifeboat Weekend
in aid of the R.N.L.I., 10.00am to 5.00pm.
A great day out for all the family, packed full of fun and
action, down at the harbour.
Normal admission charges to village.
|
|
|
Sun 2nd
|
Ilfracombe Bird Man Competition
On the pier at Ilfracombe: wacky attempts at man-powered
flight by the eccentric, whimsical or (possibly) unhinged:
failures are embraced by Father Neptune. Organised by Ilfracombe
Round Table www.ilfracomberoundtable.co.uk
- or further info' on www.myspace.com/ilfracombebirdman
- or contact Ilfracombe TIC at ilfracombe@aol.com tel: 01271
863001.
|
|
|
Sun 2nd
|
Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh
Teddy Bears Picnic
Bring your favourite Teddy for a day out with your own picnics
to Ugley Bridge and play pooh-sticks. If it is wet, picnic
in the West Wing.
See: www.castlehilldevon.co.uk
|
|
|
Wed 5th
|
|
|
Event moved to the Royal Cornwall Showground
|
7th to 13th
|
Creation Fest 2009
a FREE Christian Music Festival
- for further information tel 0870 609 1656 or
click: www.creationfest.org.uk
|
|
|
Sat 8th to Sat 15th
|
Combe Martin Carnival Week
- for further information contact Combe Martin TIC at mail@visitcombemartin.co.uk
or 'phone 01271 883319
|
|
|
10th to 16th
|
Bideford Folk Festival
|
|
|
Wed 12th
|
Ilfracombe Rescue Day '09
Britain’s BIGGEST Emergency Services LIVE Display
Day. 10am to 4pm
Coastguard. Police Force. Fire Brigade. RAF 22 Squadron
Rescue HELICOPTER. RNLI Lifeboat. Lifeguards. Search and
Rescue. Ambulance Service. etc etc. Live air-sea RESCUES.
Real FIRES. See the roof being CUT off a car. Meet the REAL
LIFE professionals and learn what it takes to keep us safe.
An unforgettable day of family ACTION. Static Displays.
Trampolines. Climbing wall. Fresh Burgers. Excellent VALUE
with all proceeds going to local charities and good causes!
Park & Ride. ONE day only.
Further info, pictures, and special offer advance tickets
(for a limited period) will be available, on www.ilfracomberoundtable.co.uk.
|
|
|
15th
|
Combe Martin Raft Race
Contact: Combe Martin TIC on 01271 883319.
|
|
|
16th
|
Filleigh Fete
in aid of local charities
|
|
|
Sun 17th
|
Appledore Carnival
Fun on The Quay begins at 4pm
|
|
|
Sat 19th + Sun 20th
|
Devon Traction Engine, Veteran &
Vintage Car Club 2009 Rally
Chapelton Barton, 4 miles south of Barnstaple (via A377
Old Exeter Road)
See: www.dtec.freeuk.com
|
|
|
21st
|
Dunster Show
in the grounds of Dunster Castle (NT)
Agricultural and Country Sports Show
If you would like to know more about the Dunster Show, please
call Rebecca Langdon on 01984 656990.
|
|
|
Fri 21st to Sun 23rd
|
|
|
|
22nd + 23rd
|
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Local Produce Show
from 10.00am - phone 01805 626800.
|
|
|
tbc
|
Hartland Carnival Week
|
|
|
Calves eating thistle heads
|
The lazy days of high summer...
this photo was taken by the late James Ravilious: a small
collection of his many pictures, capturing a recently lost
way of life in North Devon's rural community, can be seen
in the Museum of North Devon, The Square, Barnstaple (admission
free); this office (the tourist information centre) is based
there. Several wonderful books of Ravilious photographs
are on sale at the Burton Art Gallery and Museum, in Bideford.
|
|
|
27th
|
Ilfracombe Carnival
Contact: Bruce Davies
Phone: 01271 863861
|
|
|
28th to 31st
|
Ilfracombe Sun West Beer Festival
Contact: Ilfracombe TIC on 01271 863001
|
|
|
29th Aug to 5th Sept
|
|
|
|
29th to 31st
|
|
|
|
30th
|
Lynmouth Fete
Contact: Lynton TIC on 01598 752225
|
|
|
tbc
|
Holsworthy & Stratton Agricultural
Show
at Killatree Cross, Holsworthy
- for further information contact Alison Wilson, Show Secretary,
email: alison@holsworthyshow.wanadoo.co.uk or tel: 01288
355335.
See: www.holsworthyandstrattonagriculturalshow.co.uk
|
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER
|
|
|
|
...all around the bloomin' heather
|
Exmoor and Dartmoor....
'tis a wonderful time to be on the moors!
|
|
|
tbc
|
Bideford Regatta Day
Traditional Regatta with rowers from all over the South
West competing on one of the finest courses.
Contact Mike Harper 01237 479183 - mike@rockbymail.co.uk
|
|
|
Sat 5th
|
Bideford Carnival and Massed Pipes &
Drums
Carnival starts at 6.00pm - The Massed Pipes & Drums
will be parading on the Quay after the carnival
Contact Mike Harper 01237 422477 mike@rockbymail.co.uk
www.bidefordmassedbands.co.uk
|
|
|
Sun 6th
|
Clovelly: Lobster and Crab Feast
in celebration of Clovelly's seafood - outdoor kitchen
on the quay - from 10am.
'Try before you buy', recipes, food and craft stalls, barbecue,
folk musicians, children's entertainment.
Normal admission charges to village.
|
|
|
10th to 13th
|
|
|
|
Sat 12th
|
Coast Along for 
The 2009 Coast Along promises a lovely day out walking along
the spectacular South West Coast Path.
"This (our third) year we need the support of even
more walkers, ramblers and runners to achieve our challenge:
to get at least one team walking on each of the 96 paths
and raise over £100,000 for WaterAid."
Find out more and register on www.coastalongforwateraid.org
|
|
|
Wed 16th to Sat 19th
|
Barnstaple Fair
- this ancient "end of harvest" fair starts on
the Wednesday before 20th September each year. Originally
it was an agricultural market and employment fair lasting
three days: one day for horses, another for cattle and the
other for sheep. Farm labourers were employed "until
Barnstaple Fair"; they'd then come to town to seek
"a new maister". Nowadays there is a vast funfair
(second only to Nottingham Goose Fair, in size), which is
in full swing from late afternoon until midnight for each
of the four days.
*picture of mayor (bottom left) testing the scales to ensure
honest trading in the Pannier Market.
|
|
|
Sat 19th
|
Barnstaple Carnival & Fireworks
Extravaganza
- on the Saturday afternoon of Barnstaple Fair, following
great celebrations and buffoonery on the Castle Green, the
procession starts at 6.00pm (same route as 2008). This huge
gathering, featuring the top floats from many other West
Country carnivals, takes just over two hours to circle the
town. Two good places to watch it pass are at The Square
and in Boutport Street outside the Queen's Theatre.
- the fireworks are loosed over the River Taw from Anchor
Bank at about 8.15pm.
2007 Carnival had 18 large floats (articulated lorries),
plus many smaller displays.
|
|
|
Fri 18th to Mon 21st Sept
|
North Devon & Exmoor Autumn Walking
Festival 2009
See North Devon and Exmoor in its dazzling autumn colours,
with a collection of walks through some of the UK's most
scenic countryside
www.walkingnorthdevon.co.uk
or 'phone 01271 883131
|
|
|
Sun 20th
|
Doone Run
Contact: Lynton TIC on 01598 752225
|
|
|
26th
|
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Fungi Day
from 2.30pm - phone 01805 626800.
|
|
|
26th Sept to 4th Oct
|
Appledore Book Festival 2009
|
|
|
Sat 26th
|
South Molton Carnival
|
|
|
|
OCTOBER
|
|
|
|
first week of October
|
Lyn & Exmoor Food Festival
more info from 01984 635360
|
|
Event discontinued
|
first Sunday in October
|
West of England Transport Collection
Open Day
Winkleigh Aerodrome
Open top double-decker bus trips
|
|
|
tbc
|
Okehampton Carnival
Contact: Shirley Friend
Phone: 01837 52230
|
|
|
8th to 18th
|
|
|
|
11th
|
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Apple Day
from 10.00am - phone 01805 626800.
|
|
|
Fri 16th + Sat 17th
|
Taylor Fasteners 2009 Tool Show
A two day tool show at the Barnstaple Hotel
FREE PARKING - FREE ENTRY - MASSIVE DEALS - DEMONSTRATIONS
- NEW PRODUCTS
See: www.taylorfasteners.co.uk/toolshow
|
|
|
|
NOVEMBER
|
|
|
|
1st
|
|
|
|
tbc
|
Dolton & Dowland Carnival
Contact: Rosemary Lock
Phone: 01805 804254
|
|
|
tbc
|
Hatherleigh Carnival
Contact: Mandy Wonnacott
Phone: 01837 810678
|
|
|
Sunday 15th
|
Clovelly Herring Festival 2009
Sunday 15 November 2009, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
"The herring is the king of the sea, the herring is
the fish for me, sing follderiddle-aye ...."
Smokehouse and demonstrations of fishing skills and crafts.
Mike Smylie's Kipperland Exhibition. Quay kitchen with tastings,
shanty singers, special promotion of Devon cider
and wine ".... an' all sorts of things". Normal
admission charges to village.
Event may be subject to change, so please consult www.clovelly.co.uk/events
for latest details.
|
|
|
tbc
|
Holsworthy Winter Carnival
|
|
|
mid-Nov
|
Barnstaple Christmas Lights Switch-On
|
|
|
|
DECEMBER
|
|
|
|
1st to 14th
|
Lynton & Lynmouth Christmas Festivities
Contact: Lynton TIC on 01598 752225
|
|
|
2nd
|
Ilfracombe - Lighting of the Christmas
Lights
|
|
|
Thurs 3rd, Thurs 10th, Thurs 17th and Tues
22nd
|
Late Night Shopping in Barnstaple
Come and see Barnstaple's new Christmas Lights. The town
centre will be pedestrianised for late shopping until 9.00pm.
There'll be bands a'playing, singers singing and shoppers
shopping....
|
|
|
4th + 5th
|
Dunster (near Minehead) by Candlelight
|
|
|
Sunday 6th
|
Dulverton by Starlight
12 noon until 7.00pm
|
|
|
Sun 6th
|
Clovelly Christmas Lights (in aid
of the RNLI)
Sunday, 6 December 2009 from 4 p.m.
Starting from the Visitor Centre, Clovelly.
Don’t miss the annual tradition of switching on Clovelly’s
fairy lights. Follow the procession down the cobbles, accompanied
by a brass band, then look out for Santa’s arrival!
Harbourside carols, mulled wine, barbecue and more to spread
some seasonal good cheer,
with a fireworks grande finale. Entry free from 2:00 p.m.
Small parking charge.
|
|
|
Every day until Christmas Eve
|
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Every day including Sundays and on Late Night Shopping
nights (until 9.00pm).
|
|
|
tbc
|
West Down
The Christmas Story– a walk around the village, singing
carols and watching the Christmas story unfold -leaving
the Square at 6.30pm.
|
|
|
mid Dec
|
The Reindeer come to Barnstaple.....
Times to be confirmed: 6.00pm (?) Reindeer and Father Christmas
Parade starts from Boutport Street (behind Green Lanes Shopping
Centre) - route through town's main shopping streets - to
Pannier Market. See reindeer in Pannier Market until 8.00pm
(?).
|
|
|
31st
|
Bideford New Year's Eve Riverside Party
There's always lots goin' on at Bideford for New Year's
Eve - this is the place to be for the serious reveller....
- for further information contact Bideford TIC at bidefordtic@visit.org.uk
or 'phone 01237 477676.
|
|
|
31st
|
Barnstaple New Year's Eve
In The Square you'll see a large music stage with fun and
games for the children and adults - and a range of children's
entertainment, including bouncy castles, etc...
....and finally, fireworks at midnight o'er the river Taw.
See: www.barnstaplenewyearseve.co.uk
|
