The Classic Channel Regatta is expecting dozens of classic yachts in Dartmouth from tomorrow evening Friday July 3rd for two days of racing in Start Bay until Monday July 6th when they race across the Channel to Paimpol and then again to Guernsey.

Particularly worthy of note amongst all these fine yachts, because of her extraordinarily adventurous life and association with Dartmouth is the Dundee cutter Mutin, the oldest vessel in commission in the French Navy today. Impounded in Plymouth as the vessel of a foreign power in the summer of 1940 she was spotted by Special Operations Executive    (SOE)’s Commander Gerald Holdsworth (RNVR) and sent to Dartmouth for a refit before ferrying allied agents to and from Brittany in the dark years of the German occupation. She can well be considered to be a precursor to the 23rd MGB (Motor Gun Boat) flotilla operating out of Dartmouth from late 1942, by which time Mutin was in Biscay supplying the French resistance with… fake tuna stuffed with explosives! Click here to read more.

She will be accompanied by another French Navy sailing vessel, the yawl La Grande Hermine. Click here to read more.
 

2.   Ferry is blessed!

Plenty of people took advantage of the open day yesterday to view parts of the new Higher Ferry not normally visible to the public and very interesting it was too!  From the bridge to the engine room, crew were on hand to explain how the new hi-tech ferry operates.  We were even able to see the hefty cable by which she is hauled across the river.  Vicar of Dartmouth, the Revd Simon Wright was on hand to bless the ferry, her crew and those who will travel on her, and she was formally named by Angela Seton, wife of Dart Marina owner Richard, in a traditional ceremony including breaking a bottle of champagne over her.  The new ferry is virtually silent and doesn't create a wake and is able to transport more vehicles across the river in much shorter time than the old ferry, leading to less queues at busy periods.

3.   The Gift Box opens

Remember Clouds?  Well Tessa is open again in a brand new shop in Market Street.  The Gift Box is unashamedly  "for the women in your life".  Next time the woman in your life deserves a present go and see Tessa, talk to her and she will advise and then gift wrap your present - simples!  But when we were in there many women were snapping up all the hats and jewellery as presents to themselves, and who can blame them?

To see more of Dartmouth's specialist shops click here.  And to see our wonderful art galleries click here.

4.   Devon has Talent  this Sunday

To celebrate the wealth of talent in Devon, Woodlands has the Star Talent show on Sunday July 5th. The winning singer will be singing live on air and making a record in a professional recording studio. The winning Top Talent wins a helicopter ride over the beautiful South Hams.

Keith Martin has ten years' experience organising Talent shows and is managing the event. “It will be a hugely entertaining show revealing the wealth of talent in Devon & beyond” Kevin said “The Woodlands Star Talent Show has the professional touch making it fun to perform and great fun to watch. Spangles is our compére he will make a great atmosphere for the competition. The judges are very experienced, including Ben Moseby, the Palm FM Breakfast presenter. We are all child orientated and will encourage the competitors to enjoy the experience. There is no pressure and no nasty comments from the judges. It is a family show and we want everyone to have a good time whether they perform or watch”.

Not only youngsters are bursting with talent but 79 year old Frank and 65 year old Pearl from Paignton are eager to show talent has nothing to do with age. Danceworx West 17 are travelling from Penzance with 17 dancers to perform ‘A bit of Attitude’. Suzannah from Torquay is entering both singing and dancing classes while the two Shepherd sisters from Plympton are both singing solos and the youngest is also playing the cornet.  Storytellers, guitar players, boy bands, recorder blowers and poem readers are all practising for the show hoping to win a helicopter ride or make their own record.

“The list of talented performers is growing fast” Keith said. “We will accept entries on the day but please be here by 10.30am if you can to sign in. Bring along some supporters and have lots of fun. The marquee stage is ready for rehearsing from 10.30 on Sunday. The Contest starts at midday. Every competitor will have free entrance to the Family Theme Park near Dartmouth and wins a Woodlands Achievement Medal. The classes include the Star Singer and Tip Top Talent with three different age categories in each. The Woodlands Star Talent Contest form is available to download by clicking here or phone 01803 712598.

5.   Small News

• Do you work in Dartmouth? Did you know you can get a 12 month Park & Ride pass for just £99.00 !!  It covers you for all the Summer months with a free bus ride and during the winter you can either park in town, or on the Park and get a bus or a lift in.  This quite remarkable offer has been brought to you by our old friend Chris Lucas at SHDC, thanks Chris!
  
   

• Do you have a business in Dartmouth?  If you have read this newsletter so will your customers and potential customers.  When they click on a link do you want them to see your business on www.Dartmouth.tv ?  We are number one on Google for many search terms and we average second overall.    But what matters is how much time people spend on a website, and we have more content and more beautiful photographs than all the other Dartmouth web sites put together, so why not come and join us?  To become an advertiser click here.

This isn't a Photoshopped image, it was taken in the Boatfloat when a boat had just moored and disrupted the perfect reflections in the water.

Why not come and visit Dartmouth?

• Self catering accommodation click here
   
• Dartmouth B and B  click here
   
• Dartmouth Hotels click here
   
• A Tourist Guide to Dartmouth click here

Images copyright Dave Cawley, Tony Pike & others.