The newly christened "Spirit of the Dart" RNLI inshore lifeboat was called out practically before the champagne had dried.

The need for an RNLI inshore lifeboat on the Dart was again shown as she was called out twice on the day of her naming ceremony. The second launch was witnessed by the five hundred guests and supporters who had come to Coronation Park, Dartmouth, on Saturday 2nd August for the naming of the new lifeboat and the official opening of the Dart Lifeboat Station.

Following a short religious service led by Rev. Simon Wright, Vicar of Dartmouth and Dittisham and Chaplain to the Dart lifeboat, the new lifeboat was named "Spirit of the Dart" by Mrs. Barbara Felton. She was assisted by William Smith, a pupil of St John the Baptist Primary School Dartmouth, whose suggestion for a name had been chosen by the Feltons.

The Dart Lifeboat Station was then officially opened by Cllr. Debbie Morris, Dartmouth Town Mayor.

This year’s Regatta is very much aimed at families, and the order of events will be as follows. On Saturday 9th August, the Vintage Car Rally will be open from 10am at Jubilee Park at the head of Waterhead Creek. Lots of vintage cars, as well as Kingswear’s 19th century fire engine will be on display. At 11am on Saturday, the Regatta Dog Show starts. Just turn up with your dog and the £1 entry fee 10 minutes beforehand and you may win a rosette for your favourite pet! Competitions for adults and under 12 owners include Most Obedient, Best Nautical theme fancy dress for dog and owner, Scruffiest Scoundrel and the all time favourite - Dog most like its owner. Whilst this is all going on, there will be bacon butties available as well as rowing races in the creek with over 40 races involving almost 150 competitors.

Sunday 10th August starts with the famous Duck Race and rowing races at 10:30am. The Regatta Grand Fete opens at 11 o’clock and it will be very much a family fun event with special rowing events for younger children as well as mums and dads, as well as lots of fun and games. Directly after the opening, our local children will be giving a Taekwon-Do demonstration. Kingswear Community Primary school will then provide music at 12:30pm. One of the other highlights for the children, the Punch and Judy will be performing at 1pm and 2-30pm. ‘Shipwrecked’ – the School Parents (helped by others!) band play at 2pm and there is a grand Tug of War at 3-15pm with the prize giving at 4pm. Whilst all this is going on there are lots of stalls to keep all the family amused from ‘Splat the Rat’ and ‘sponge throwing’, to skittles and face painting - as well as a Bar and Bar-B-Q which will sell food and beverages at reasonable prices.

This Regatta was a great village event last year - and is certainly worth a visit. For more details pick up a free programme at Dartmouth Tourist Office or click here to see more.

"If you like Charlie Bears then you must put Sunday 10 August in your diary as a date to visit Kingswear Bears as Charlie and Will of Charlie Bears will be present for a Signing Event from 10am until 4pm.

The wonderful bear pictured here, named Ambrosia, is exclusively available from Kingswear Bears. Ambrosia sits beautifully in the palm of the hand & is so scrumptious that she will be hard to resist.

As a Best Friends Store, Kingswear Bears are always home to a fantastic selection of Charlie Bears and also the limited edition bears from the Isabelle Collection. These can all be seen on the website by clicking here where, as has always been the case with Kingswear Bears, postage is free for delivery in the UK.
 

Finishing this Saturday afternoon, the Dartmouth Art Society got off to good start with its exhibition being held in the Flavel Church opposite the Tourist Information Centre.  Prize winners were, "Best in Show" - Judy Illingworth,  "Art of the Dart" - Diane Emberson

With over 200 paintings on show, and free entry, you really ought to pop in and have a look?
 

The Inn Theatre Company have done it again! What a brilliant production of Shakespeare's tragi-comedy "The Tempest" at Dartmouth Castle. Although not quite a tempest, the continuous heavy drizzle on the first night on Tuesday must have made for some very slippery and unpleasant conditions for the actors, not to mention the audience! Nevertheless we were treated to outstanding performances by the whole cast, including as usual various local personalities. In typical British fashion, waterproofs and umbrellas to hand, we were so spellbound by the performance, that we stuck it out to the bitter and rather damp end! Let's hope the beautiful costumes for the nymphs and spirits, created by Kelly and Jacqui at Ethera survived their soaking. Why not take a chance on the weather and catch a performance tonight, tomorrow or Saturday.  Why not come down for the weekend ?  Tickets available from the Tourist Information Centre
 

• Come and enjoy a barbecue and an evening of jazz at St Petrox Church on Friday 15 August at 6.30pm. Tickets are £5 each. Contact Simon (835543), Michael (839687) or Jill in the Parish Office, St Saviour's Church on 835540.
  
   
• Dartmouth dot TV have started sending renewals out for advertising on www.Dartmouth.tv   The website is currently the second highest Dartmouth Web Site ranked on Google and Yahoo. These two search engines make up for 92% of all referrals, it's very important to be high on both of them. We have figures that prove our advertisers get a good response, even though you may not know it!
   
• Why not come and visit Dartmouth?
   
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