Dartmouth welcomed a group of visitors from our twin town of Courseulles sur Mer who arrived last Friday evening.  On Saturday the guests and their hosts took a tour of the Plymouth Gin Distillery returning via Dartmoor; Sunday was a relaxing day around the area culminating in a very enjoyable supper at the Dartmouth Rowing Club.  Having set off bright and early at 7.30am on Monday for their return trip, the French visitors' coach broke down at the Sportsmans Arms with a broken fan belt!  Thanks to Brian Woodgate, FRL and a spare fan belt carried by their driver Jean-Luc, they were able to continue without too much delay and caught their ferry home from Portsmouth as planned.  If you are interested in taking part in the next visit, please contact Wendy Rendle on 832435.

2.   Continental  Market this weekend

This Saturday and Sunday Dartmouth's Old Market Square will be transformed into a continental market as the town plays host to traders from the continent: biscuits from Brittany, sausages from Germany, nougat from Italy to mention just a few of the delights on offer.  Open from 9.00am to 5.30pm.

3.   Canoe Races

Phil from Canoe Adventures reports: On Sunday 23rd May at 12.00 at the merry Maltsters Arms on Bow Creek at Tuckenhay, the 8th Annual Voyager Canoe Races welcome you. 1st Race is 13.00.  All in support of Dart Lifeboat and the Totnes Chernobyl Children's Project.

To open the day we have wild music from local acoustic band Kazmel. Elfic the Astonishing Jester & Juggler is also booked. The Maltsters Spring Real Ale Festival will be in full flow with 6 good ales to test. The quay BBQ will be alight, and we all believe the sun will shine. Eight race crews of ten paddlers each, aboard two of Canoe Adventures brand new Totnes made 9 metre Voyager canoes, each face a 500 metre out and return course at full pelt around a 180 degree turn on beautiful Bow Creek. The Start and Finish line is at the centre of the Maltsters Arms quay offering excellent views of the action.

Race team Stoke Gabriel have won and held the Tuckenhay Voyager Cup since 2008. Ranged against them are Dart Lifeboat, Totnes Titans, Hunters Lodge, White Feather, Harberton Hands, newcomers Babbling Badgers, and the returning and powerful Norfolk Chance. Race Practice only is at 12.00 on the day before.  We hope you will come to support and enjoy this Great Fun event. It is unique to the South Hams. Entry is Free and children are very welcome. When Racing and Prize-giving and entertainment are done, the ace singer-guitarist James Cann is engaged to perform into the evening.  For more information call or click here to e-mail01803 865301.

4.  Full Circle @ Baxters

Next Friday May 28th, Baxters in Foss St begins an exhibition entitled Full Circle featuring Dartmouth artist Simon Hart and gallery favourite Michael Turner who creates fish and sea creatures from metal. There will be a substantial new body of original work from Simon which will be eagerly anticipated by people who have seen his work evolve since his arrival in Dartmouth 10 years ago.

The exhibition coincides with Dartmouth Galleries Week and the evening of Friday 28th is a great time to explore the 12 Dartmouth Galleries who will be open and to see the exhibitions of work by new and established artists.

Spotted in Baxters windows was this picture depicting many Dr Who's, two Daleks, the Tardis and a Cyberman.  Rumour has it there are more clues in this and the other picture in Baxters window? 

Readers may remember that the Dartmouth dot TV crew were the first to relate the unseen episode of Dr Who filmed in Dartmouth in 1975.  We first broke the news on 22nd February 2007, you can see it in section 2 by clicking here.

5.   Small News

• Last week's Music Festival special was the talk of the town.  However some of you fell victim to your own Spam filter and  missed it!  If you want to see it again simply click here.
   

• The Dart Valley U3A is an organisation for people no longer in full time employment, providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly, fun environment. Dart Valley’s many, free interest groups range from Archery, Creative writing, Patchwork quilting, Spanish, Walking and many others.
  We meet every 2nd Thursday of the month at 10am at the Flavel, Dartmouth, when we hold a general meeting and a speaker. Visitors are welcome.
  The U3A is an international body with thousands of members.
  U3A stands for the University of the Third Age (don’t be put off by the word University, it’s fun and you do meet lots of new people)
  
  Thursday June 10th Dart Valley U3A A.G.M
  Thursday July 8th Wine making in the UK (wine tasting included) Laura Armstrong from Sharpham
  Thursday September 9th Nautical Voyages Paul Barclay
  Thursday October 14th The Princes Trust Doug Twigg
  Thursday November 11th Did Darwin Get it Wrong? Professor Mark Macnair
  Thursday December 9th There was an Old Artist From Dartmouth Simon Drew
  
  To receive a list of interest groups, meetings and membership (only £10 per annum!) please contact membership secretary Ray on 01803 835033 or just come along to the next meeting.

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 & others.