December Highlights.. Countdown to Christmas around North Devon

This is a sparkling time in the region when local shops, businesses, cinemas, galleries, museums, theatres and pubs pull out all the stops as we count down to the holiday season. As well as traditional services in our local churches and chapels, there are many Christmas themed events in schools, towns and villages. It’s lighting up time, get ready for Christmas Carols, Christmas Fayres, Christmas Concerts, Christmas Markets and Pantomimes. The Christmas Lights are already twinkling in Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe, this Sunday it’s the turn of Clovelly and Great Torrington. Whether shopping for Christmas fayre, fresh local produce or unique gifts North Devon has lots to offer. Our local Pannier Markets are of course open all year round including the Bideford Farmers Market in Jubilee Square now on the second and fourth Saturdays in the month throughout the winter. Bideford Town Council will be hosting a series of Winter Fairs with fun for all the family and free parking around the town at Bideford Pannier Market on the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas There are also Christmas Farmers' Markets at the Big Sheep on Saturdays on the 6th, 13th and 20th December while over in Hatherleigh, on the 6th December, the Ruby Country Market looks like a brilliant mix of traditional market shopping with a vast array of goods on sale, local music and attractions to entertain while you browse and shop. There will be some Christmas Fun at Quince Honey Farm in South Molton with Santa and the Snow Hive, festive fun and more. Don’t forget the Richard Long Exhibition Contemporary Art in the Countryside ARTIST ROOMS On Tour is running until 10th January 2015 at the Burton Art Gallery. Finally it’s going to be a White Christmas at Woolly’s Winter Wonderland at the Big Sheep from the 6th to 24th December. A magical light show plus all the spirit of festive family fun with Santa and his secret VIP guest. You can even try ice skating and tobogganing or have a go on the Snowboard simulator. PS……The word’s out that Clovelly is holding it’s first Boxing Day Barbi.. Scroll down for more event details

Winter Wonderland Bideford Pannier Market will transform into a winter fair on the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas. From 10am until 1.30pm, the town council will be hosting the winter fairs, with fun for all the family and free parking around the town. See press for full details 
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Christmas Farmers Markets at the Big Sheep. The South Wests largest Farmers Market with over 50 local produce stalls. Sponsored by the North Devon Journal Free range turkeys, organic meats, sprouts on stalks, cheeses, cakes, puddings, biscuits, fudge, chocolate, bread, fish and Christmas trees are just some of the delights which will be on offer… Christmas Farmers Markets will be held on Saturdays 6th, 13th, 20th December.

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6th December Christmas Concert with the Two Rivers Wind Ensemble. 7.30pm Lavington Church, Bridgleland Street, Bideford. Programme includes highlights from "Frozen".
6th December Christmas Fun at Quince Honey Farm, South Molton 10am-4pm. Meet Santa and his festive friends. Play in the Snow Hive, festive fun, food and drink and face painting. http://www.quincehoneyfarm.co.uk
6th December 9amThe Ruby Country Market is not an Antique & Collectors Fair, not an Art & Craft Fair or a Food Festival but a Traditional Market combining all of these events rolled into one with Local Music and Attractions to entertain you whilst you browse and shop from a vast range of local businesses, talent and charities.. This is the third Festive Market to be held and as the plans come together for this-2pm one, it is promising to be rather special. There will be a bumper Food Hall/Shippen raffle in support of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and if you buy a ticket you may go home with your Christmas lunch!- See more at: http://rubycountrymarket.co.uk 
7th December Christmas Lights in aid of the R.N.L.I. Christmas is a magical time at Clovelly. A local brass band leads the procession down to the harbour and accompanies Christmas carols sung with a local choir. A hog roast, punch and mince pies follow and Father Christmas makes a surprise visit. At about 5 p.m. the switch is thrown and the entire village and harbour are lit up. It's a fantastic sight and there is a grand finale of fireworks to... 
7th December Ilfracombe's magical Fore Street Christmas Market is just the place to become immersed in the Christmas spirit. Featuring Santa Clause in his grotto and stalls from local businesses and craftspeople, the market takes place from 3pm to 7pm on Sunday 7th December 2014. www.visitilfracombe.co.uk
21st December Breakfast with Santa at the Big Sheep. Christmas is a magical time of year for all children so why not sprinkle that extra bit of magic and make this Christmas even more special by treating the children in your life to Breakfast with Santa at the BIG Sheep in Bideford on Sunday 21st December. Hot or Cold Breakfast Exclusive time with Santa…
26h December This Boxing Day, come to Clovelly for a lunchtime treat! The Red Lion Clovelly presents. . . . .‘New Orleans Style’, Boxing Day Barbecue Bring your family and friends for a relaxing Boxing Day lunch time and enjoy our New Orleans style’ Barbecue at the harbour with a background of live jazz music. 12.30 –3pm. FREE entry to the village on the day
 For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  
 

Photo Bideford Highlights 2 December 2014 Copyright B. Adams (All rights reserved)

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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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TIPPA IRIE AND LIVE REGGAE BAND PLAYS THE FACTORY SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER

Anthony Henry a.k.a. Tippa Irie, Grammy nominated recording artist and UK reggae veteran, hailing From the infamous Saxon Sound System, having a list of hits including Complain Neighbor on Green Sleeves Records and member of the UK all-stars. Tippa has been at the top of the UK Reggae scene for time.

Support comes from

Irie Bingo comprising of a duo of roots vibe bad boys. Blazenstein, operator and selector for the mighty Irie Bingo Soundsystem out of Devon. Playing music for the revolution and inspired by soundsystem tradition of bringing news to the people. Heavy conscious music to shake the chains of Babylon.

Shire Roots, conscious Reggae MC hailing from the Southwest, strong roots vibes from this man

Joe Joe Jdb Burn – this young man, straight out North Devon this is our very own musical prodigy fresh from his new release on Defcon records, Joe is representing hard for the North Devon family, bless up this yoot man flying the flag for us Southwest crew!

OneDrop Soundsystem crew with Irie Selecta and King David on the early tip and maybe the late one as well !

Doors open 9pm - late

Advance tickets £12 [more on the door]

Physical tickets available from: Beats Workin, Barnstaple

Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net

(Ticket outlets subject to booking fee)

Local Play with National Significance - The Common Hopes to Hit the Road

"An inspiringly insightful piece of contemporary theatre with important messages for our collective future – we ARE the land" ... Positive response to Beaford Arts' The Common might just get this show on the road. After two sellout performances of this series of dramatic dialogues about our relationship with the local environment, Beaford Arts hopes to take The Common on a national tour. Lucy Deasy, General Manager of Beaford Arts, says "Our objective as the cultural partner of the North Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA) was to create a piece about the value of the land. Our mission was to engage with two local communities, work within them, engage them and produce a show that would resonate with the varied audience within those communities." 

Feedback from those who saw the shows in Dolton and Hatherleigh, where The Common was researched, developed and performed, certainly seems to indicate success "It was a triumph. Full of admiration for the performers. Very moving and you got the Devon nuances." Others wanted to share the love @ruthresearch tweeted "A lovely evening in the company of @beaford & @YourOldChina last night, do hope there is a longer life for #TheCommon" and another comment simply says " Brill! Sock it to Whitehall". Producer, Fin Irwin worked with theatre company China Plate to create the show " It has been a pleasure to work on a project that has had such a high and diverse level of engagement. From the environmentalists to the local farmer and the pub landlord, everyone has had a story to tell and has been keen to tell it. The positive response from the participants and audience alike was overwhelming and proved that this project will create a lasting legacy in the memories of those who saw it." This is a local production with national significance. The rural issues explored in The Common are relevant to communities nationwide and Beaford Arts hopes to roll the show out to the other eleven Nature Improvement Areas around the country "Our future goal is to tour the play to other NIAs, Westminster and maybe beyond." says Lucy Deasy.

 

Beaford Arts The Common - Photos copyright (All rights reserved)

Read previous post about The Common 

Beaford Arts www.beaford-arts.org.uk 

China Plate www.chinaplatetheatre.com