Once again the local farmers gathered to show their prize livestock.  This is a lovely event and the sun came out, but as there were two dates floating around on the internet and no advance publicity, there weren't as many people as we had expected.  If anyone knows the organisers, would they ask them to get in touch with us so that we may give them some advance publicity next year?

2.  Oh yes it is!

Tony Lewis reports: Rehearsals are now well under way for Dartmouth Players annual pantomime production which this year is Cinderella, often referred to as the nation’s favourite pantomime, to be staged at the Flavel Theatre in Dartmouth between 28th and 31st December. This year’s cast includes a few well known frequent performers on the Flavel stage together with many interesting newcomers; although regulars will be pleased to know that casting for both ends of the now infamous Dartmouth Pantomime Cow remain unaltered.

The principal boy and girl are the glamorous Lucy Toomey and Kate Ruddle. Lucy is the daughter of the BRNC Naval College Commander Nick Toomey. She has recently appeared in “We Will Rock You” as well as “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the fringe festival. Another new comer to Dartmouth is Andy Killen who has performed many leading roles around Torbay. Andy has played Dame in many panto’s he is joined by Graham Mewis, another ex Torbay performer, to play the Ugly sisters. We challenge anyone to find a more glamorous Cinderella and more outrageous ugly sisters in any UK panto!

The production is written and directed by Bill Hunt who admits he has now clocked up 47 years on stage. The music and song lyrics for Cinderella have been specially composed by Norman Cork. “Very few groups have the advantage of a resident composer who can produce such a variety of quality music “says Bill, who is also the Chairman of the Dartmouth Players. “We are very committed to original work. As well as being a creative experience, it also relates well to our performance space and the abilities of our cast.”

We would like to offer you a little “local knowledge” that tickets for the pantomime are often sold our well before Christmas, with many visitors being disappointed not be able to buy tickets, therefore early booking through the Flavel box office web site by clicking here  is highly recommended.

3.   Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a whizz bang!

The Higher Ferry team has organised a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display to thank the people of Dartmouth and the surrounding area for their support in the ferry’s first year of operation.

Kerry Southern, Higher Ferry Manager comments: “The support we have received this year has been fantastic and we see this as a little way that we can say thanks. The display will be held at quarter past midnight, giving everyone enough time to make their way down from their homes, or the pubs, to the riverside! It will take place on the ferry so the best place to enjoy all the action will be from the Dartmouth slip.”

Devon based Sonic Fireworks have designed a display that will make the most out of the unique setting, and reflections in the River Dart. Shown here is their event at St Ives.   The display will contain a mixture of comets, candles and large aerial shell bursts that should provide a stunning finale to the town's celebrations. In order to set the display on the ferry, the last ferry from Dartmouth on New Year’s Eve will be at 21:45 and at 21:50 from Kingswear.  Kerry continues: “We hope to see as many people on New Year’s Eve as possible, at what should be a really fun event. All the crew are looking forward to the display and by holding it on the ferry itself we can enjoy twice the impact as all the fireworks will be reflected in the water.”

4.   Dartmouth Guide Launch

Once again the definitive Tourist Guide to Dartmouth has been launched.  Featuring Dartmouth photography as good as it gets (as good as ours!) and a sections on what to do and where to stay.  Call in at the Tourist Information Centre to get some for your guests or call them to have a copy sent to you.  See more by clicking here
 

6.   Small News

• Tonight is the Film Society Party and the showing of " Shrek Forever After "
   

• Steve Donaldson reports: I bet that I am your only reader who lives in Angola in southern Africa. Like your reader in last week’s edition, I want to thank you for the beautiful snow photos. Here in Angola, surprisingly maybe, Christmas lights and decorations are up everywhere. I even went to a Carol Service at the British Embassy this week. First thing I have asked my wife, when I get back to UK next week for Christmas, is that we come down to  Dartmouth for a few days.
  
   

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
   
• Shopping in Dartmouth click here

Images copyright  Dave Cawley,  Andy Kyle,  & others.