After a glorious July it’s a busy time for tourist-based businesses as visitors are flocking to the North Devon Coast. It’s a great time for locals and holidaymakers with a host of exciting things to see and do including the North Devon Show, RNLI Rescue Days, local town and village events, carnivals, fetes, fairs, festivals, outdoor theatre performances and of course trips to the beach. There are plenty of fun and craft based activities for kids at local art centres and museums. Families can enjoy rock-pooling and pond dipping around the coast, crabbing off Appledore Quay, safe walking and cycling on the Tarka Trail while ernest ramblers can enjoy scenic walks amongst the blooming heather on the South West Coast Path or Exmoor. Although July was the sunniest on record, it failed to bring the butterflies to my garden in quantity even though the Buddelea bloomed earlier than ever but yesterday they finally arrived and I was at last able to record some for the
Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count. This is a free fun thing especially for the kids to do while they learn. Just 15 mins in your garden or favourite place jotting down the different species then submitting the results. You can download a free
Butterfly ID Chart or there is even a free smartphone app to help you. In my garden yesterday I saw 5 Small Tortoishelle, 1 x Comma, 5 Peacock, 2 Red Amiral, 2 Small and 1 Large White, 1 Speckled Wood and was thrilled to see 2 Common Blue fluttering over the Privet Hedge. It's not too late, the Count is still running so visit
http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/ to find out more.
Here are just a few of the events happening this month:
To add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar
From
26th July to Tue 7th August Appledore & Instow Regatta -
129 Years of Maritime Celebration Est. 1885 - See Regatta Programme
Visit website
for details
6th
August North Devon Show (Umberleigh) One day agricultural show.
Advance tickets available from the Tourist Information Centre.
www.northdevonshow.co.uk
Sunday
10th August 7 pm Illyria Theatre presents ‘The Pirates of Penzance’
by Gilbert & Sullivan at Hartland Abbey. Gilbert and Sullivan's
most popular comic opera is about Frederick, an apprentice pirate,
born on 29th February, who quits the Pirate ship and falls in love
with girl on land - until he learns he is contracted to the pirates
until his 21st BIRTHDAY, not his 21st year. Being a steadfast Slave
Of Duty, what is he to do? To denounce his piratical friends to
the authorities? Or to postpone his marriage until he is 84? The
show is packed with laughter, romance and a ship-full of memorable
lyrics such as "To be a Pirate King!"; "Modern Major
General" and "A Policeman's Lot is Not a Happy One".
This wonderful operetta gets the complete Illyria treatment, faithfully
performed by a reduced cast and accompanied by a Musical Director
on keyboard. Despite the reduction in scale not a single word from
WS Gilbert's libretto is cut, nor a single note or harmony from
Sir Arthur Sullivan's score unsung. Running time (approx): 2hr 0mins
(including 20 minute interval) Suitable for: all ages 5+ Targeted
at: all ages 10+ Full £13.00 Concession £11.00 Supporter
£9.00 Family tickets available. Bring rugs, low backed chairs
and picnics or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Pimms
and Wine Bar and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending
from 2 hours before the show Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre
Box Office: 01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Hartland
Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay)
www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234
Tuesday
12th August 5 pm Cambridge Touring Theatre presents ‘Alice’s
Adventures in Wonderland’ at Hartland Abbey. Come and have
a joyful, fun-filled picnic with your family while you watch this
hilarious musical show. Boys and girls are invited to come along
dressed in their best wonderland fashion.
"…wonderful ...entertaining ...enthralling" ****
(What's on Stage)
“…has families rolling around with laughter.” The
Guardian)
“…laughter-filled treat from start to finish." (The
Stage)
2 hours including a 20 minute interval.
Pre Performance Workshop. Before the show, there is a 45
minute drama workshop where you can play drama games with the actors.
Age 5-10. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics or enjoy a delicious barbecue
by Mr Crackling. Cream teas, Pimms and Wine Bar and Ice Creams.
Gardens open free to those attending from 2 hours before the show.
Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre Box Office: 01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk
Hartland Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland
Quay) www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234
13th
August RNLI Rescue Day - Ilfracombe Harbour. The largest live
emergency services display. Airsea rescues, real fires, displays
and exhibitions lasting all day. www.visitilfracombe.co.uk
16th August 16 Clovelly Gig Regatta. The West Country boasts
a long tradition of racing pilot gigs. Gig racing is exciting, strenuous
and often downright dangerous, with crews reaching speeds of 9 knots
in North Devon's powerful tidal waters. You're assured an exhilarating
day's racing. So come along and cheer on the brave crews! Normal
admission charges apply
19th August Torquay United Football Fun Day at Bideford College 3G
9am to 1pm. A licensed coaches.To book call 07772967544.
Wednesday
20th August. 5 pm Illyria Theatre presents ‘Robin Hood’
at Hartland Abbey. On the day of his marriage to Marian Fitzwater,
Robert Fitzooth, Earl of Huntingdon, is betrayed by his closest
friend, the Sheriff of Nottingham and arrested for disrupting the
peace. But he evades capture and hides out in Sherwood Forest with
a band of outlaws under the assumed name of Robin Hood. Here he
devotes his life to ruining the treacherous Sheriff, to seizing
back the wealth of greedy church landowners and restoring it to
the people, and to challenging power-mad Prince John's right to
the throne of England. Illyria's production is adapted from the
earliest Robin Hood ballads pre-dating Chaucer - which makes it
as authentic as Robin Hood legends come! The play is written in
fast-moving, easy-to-follow verse, and introduces all the well-loved
characters such as Little John, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian and King
Richard. It is a collection of tales featuring camaraderie, swashbuckling
action, and riotous comedy. Running time (approx): 1hr 50mins (including
20 minute interval) Suitable for: all ages 5+ Targeted at: all ages
7+ Full £13.00 Concession £11.00 Supporter £9.00
Family tickets available. Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics
or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Cream Teas, Pimms
and Wine Bar and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending
from 2 hours before the show. Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre
Box Office: 01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Hartland
Abbey, Nr Bideford EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay)
www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234
21st
August Ilfracombe Carnival Floats, walkers, bands and groups
wind through the town down to the seafront. www.visitilfracombe.co.uk
22nd
to 25th August Sunwest Beer & Music Festival The Landmark.
Free music and entertainment. Real ales and ciders.
www.northdevontheatres.org.uk
24th August Appledore Last Night of the Proms on Appledore Quay. 18.45pm: Join
Appledore Band for their Annual Last Night of the Proms Concert on
Appledore Quay. Lots of singing, flag waving and jolly traditional british fun. Sure
to raise the roof. FREE
24th
August Character Days: Meet Peppa Pig at the Big Sheep Everyone's
favourite cheeky little piggy, Peppa Pig, will be visiting The BIG
Sheep in Bideford on Sunday 24th August and Monday 25th August to
come and see her North Devon fans! Peppa Pig will be making personal
appearances at The BIG Sheep at intervals between 11am and 4pm,
for children and families…
Monday
25th August 7pm Heartbreak Theatre presents ‘Pride and Prejudice’
at Hartland Abbey. Heartbreak Productions are delighted to present
a fresh and contemporary adaptation of the world-renowned Pride
& Prejudice - an insight into the amorous exploits and enduring
etiquette between family, friends and lovers. A visit from the Prince
Regent approaches and society waits in eager anticipation; will
you be able to master the decorum of Regency Britain? Luckily the
Association of Higher Etiquette and Manners will be there to educate
you in the etiquette of the day. A combination of Jane Austen’s
delicate yet intense observational style with the wit and affection
of Heartbreak’s writer-in-residence David Kerby Kendall, ensures
that this hilarious adaptation will resonate with anyone who has
ever been in any relationship. As sibling squabbles and passion-fuelled
fall-outs abound, this inventive production combines dance, music
and song to create an unforgettable interactive interpretation of
the much-loved classic. Bring rugs, low backed chairs and picnics
or enjoy a delicious barbecue by Mr Crackling. Pimms and Wine Bar
and Ice Creams. Gardens open free to those attending from 2 hours
before the show. Tickets from The Plough Arts Centre Box Office:
01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk Hartland Abbey, Nr Bideford
EX39 6DT ( between Hartland and Hartland Quay) www.hartlandabbey.com
01237441496/234
For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal
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North Devon Tourist Information Centres
Barnstaple
Tourist Information Centre,
North Devon Museum, The Square, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 9LS
Bideford
Tourist Information Centre, Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road,
Bideford, EX39 2QQ
Braunton
Tourist Information Centre The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street,
Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1AA
Combe
Martin Tourist Information Centre Cross Street, Combe Martin,
North Devon, EX34 ODH
Holsworthy
Visitor Information Centre: The Memorial Hall, Holsworthy,
Torrington
Tourist Information Centre, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington
lfracombe
Tourist Information Centre The Landmark Theatre, The Seafront,
Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9BX
Lynton
Tourist Information Centre Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton,
North Devon, EX35 6HT T
South Molton Tourist Information 1 East Street, South Molton,
Devon, EX36 3BU
Woolacombe
Tourist Information Centre The Esplanade, Woolacombe, North
Devon, EX34 7DL
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To add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar