Jess reports:  Every year the Royal Castle Hotel organises various events in order to raise money for the legendary BBC Children In Need appeal. However, following the death of our general manager David Hawke, we have decided to raise money for Meningitis UK this year in his memory.

Meningitis UK has a single focus - to find a vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis and associated diseases. Meningitis UK's "Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign" aims to raise £7 million to help fund cutting-edge research to develop a vaccine against Meningitis B, which causes almost 90% of cases in the UK and for which there is currently no vaccine.

So, for 2009, on Friday 27 November, we will have all the same well-loved annual activities including our charity auction in the Galleon Bar on the night itself, coffee morning, raffle and this year some of the more daring staff will be doing a sponsored walk/jog to Totnes in their underwear and sporting blonde curly wigs and whacky coloured ties! Please show your support for this event either by sponsoring the staff, donating raffle and auction prizes (we really need some fantastic items for our auction so any help is welcome!) and by coming along on the night to join in the bidding for some amazing lots!!

2.   Ferry crew responds to community feedback

In response to passenger feedback, fares on the Dartmouth Higher Ferry for tradesmen in vans and also for minibuses have been reduced. Dennis Langworthy one of the crew members on the Higher Ferry explains: “Since operating the new Higher Ferry we have been talking to passengers about the service and gathering information about how we could further improve. The main feedback has been from people driving minibuses and tradesmen in transit vans. So in response, and in line with new vehicle and passenger configurations, we’ve changed the tariff to include minibuses with up to 20 seats and vans weighing up to 3.5 tonnes, which has meant an even more cost-effective service for many passengers.”

Barry Hollis from Rigging Solutions in Dartmouth comments: “The change in tariff has been fantastic news for my business. I use the Higher Ferry up to four times a day and its speed and efficiency has been very beneficial. Previously I paid £2.20 per journey and since the change, my costs have reduced to £1.25 per crossing with a 20 journey concession tag. With the quicker crossing time and speedier disembarkation I can get more business done in a day.” A significant number of minibuses, used by schools, charitable organisations and community groups travel on the Dartmouth Higher Ferry each day and the new tariff will enable minibuses carrying more passengers to cross the River Dart at lower rates.

Frank Armstrong from Brixham College said: “We use our minibus for a variety of curricular and extra-curricular activities and previously we would have been charged as a coach because we have 17 seats. Now that the tariff has changed, our costs will be significantly lower over the school year”.

3.   Candlelit Dartmouth

The Candlelit Dartmouth procession which takes place on Friday 11th December will this year have a theme of The River. This means that you can expect to see exciting lantern shapes from fish to boats, crabs to lighthouses and squid to swans. There will be workshops held in each of the 5 local primary schools but there is also an open workshop at Dartmouth Community College from 10.30am – 4pm on Sunday 15th November. This is open to families and any creatively minded people who would like to come along and make a lantern. The workshop is free of charge and all materials will be provided. For more information please contact Sarah Duggan at Baxters in Foss St (01803 839000) or just turn up on the day. The photo shows a sailing boat made by Steve Thomas.

You may have spotted various mensfolk of the town with moustaches recently and the answer lies with Andy Carter from Dartmouth Photography. He has organised a moustache growing competition in aid of Candlelit Dartmouth and Dartmouth Caring and called it X-mas Tache. Only a real moustache is acceptable, ‘goatees’ & full beards will be disqualified. Closing date for entry is 10th December (please bear in mind judging will take place on the 12th December) This is a fun charity event and any person deemed taking it too seriously will be disqualified.

Prizes will be awarded to the best three Moustaches presented on the night. It’s not too late to enter so please contact Andy for more details at 11 Higher St or on 01803 839007. The winners will have their moustaches shaved off on the bandstand on Candlelit Saturday. The photo shows Steve Thomas from Candlelit with his progress so far.

4.   Small News

• The winners of the food festival raffle are:
  1st Prize - Mr T Pearce of Bideford
  2nd Prize - Mrs J Tyler of Melksham and Dartmouth
  3rd Prize - Ms E Dove of Northants
   

• Table Top Sale
  On Saturday 7 November from 2-4pm in St Clement’s Church Hall.
  Why not come along? There will be good unused toys, puzzles, books, unwanted presents, good secondhand clothes, plus teas, coffee, cakes and a raffle. Tell your friends, the more people who turn up, the more money will be made. Proceeds in aid of new chairs for St Clement's Church.
   

• Christmas shopping is a real pleasure in Dartmouth.  We have many totally unique shops and wondrous art galleries.
  
  Click here to see our shops
  
  Click here to see our art galleries
  
  Click here for things to do
  
   

Even when it rains in Dartmouth, it is still the nicest place in the world to be!

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, Derek Guy & others.