White Sails Gallery in the heart of the town is now under new ownership. Adam Edsall, the new owner, is proud to take the reigns at one of Dartmouth’s most popular galleries.

“We hope to continue to offer the same great range of original art, prints and photography, at reasonable prices, but are also introducing a number of exciting new artists. Adding to a collection that already boasts the likes of Kate Wyatt, Sue Howells and Claire Hooper, we are now introducing work by local artist Kevin Wright, the wonderful world of Sam Toft and some beautiful new pieces by Audrey Hammond”

To make room for the new work the Gallery is having a huge sale of its former catalogue. There will be hundreds of items with up to 50% off, including originals, ltd editions, prints and photography, as well as a selection of mirrors, ornaments and frames. The sale will run throughout October and there are certain to be many great bargains to be found.

2. Flavel Comedy Nights – Edinburgh Festival Winners!

The Flavel seem to have their finger on the Comedy pulse – 2 out of the 4 best comedy show nominees at the Edinburgh Festival have been to Dartmouth in 2010. Russell Kane with his show Smoke Screens and Castles went on be the outright winner. Flavel spokesperson Sarah Hackford said “We are really delighted that Russell did so well in Edinburgh and it was really great to have him previewing his show in Dartmouth. Greg Davies, the other nominee was also a big hit here during last year’s Comedy Festival. Plans are underway for next year’s festival which will take place 9/10/11/12 March 2011”  Tickets are on sale for the next Flavel Comedy night with Mitch Benn – also tipped for big things, so grab you chance to see him first at the Flavel!  Mitch Benn and The Distractions : Friday 15 October @ 8pm

Mitch Benn is a large Liverpudlian comic, musician and impressionist, best known for performing song parodies and ditties about the world around him. He is not only one of the most sought-after acts on the comedy circuit but is widely acknowledged as one of the best writer/performers of comic songs in the country. Mitch began his comedy career in Edinburgh in 1994. He moved to London in 1996 and quickly established himself as a comedy club "headliner".

From BBC Radio 4’s Sony nominated “Now Show”, BBC1’s “One Show” and BBC1’s “Watchdog” multi-award winner Mitch Benn and his band take to the road in a two hour show packed with new songs and old favourites. Described by The Times as “the country’s leading musical satirist”, for music and comedy fans of all ages this is an evening not to be missed. “There’s probably no one better at capturing the essence of a song or style and twisting it into a spoof” Chortle,  “Essential viewing” Time Out, “A rare and refreshing pleasure to be forced to take funny music seriously” Croydon Guardian, “Song after song of exquisitely crafted satire” The Scotsman.

Tickets are £12 in advance and £14 on the door.  Tickets from the Box Office or call 01803 839530

3.   Lunch and landscape

"Lunch and landscape” a new cheese and beer, are to be showcased at a food festival event.

South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is staging a Tutored Tasting and Ploughman’s Lunch on Friday 22nd October from 12.30pm – 2.30pm at The Floating Bridge Inn to celebrate Dartmouth Food Festival (20th – 24th October).

Amongst other local cheeses and cider the event will feature Sharpham’s ‘Savour’ Cheese and Quercus Brewery’s ‘Natural Beauty’ Beer, both created to mark the 50th anniversary of South Devon being designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Well known Author and Poet James Crowden, who was brought up near Dartmouth, will lead the event describing a day in the life of a South Devon farm worker 50 years ago and earlier, the evolution of the ploughman’s lunch and how the special landscape of the AONB contributes to the development of local specialities.

Mark Sharman of Sharpham Estate and Pete Walker from Quercus Brewery will also be at the event to describe how the local landscape contributes to the uniqueness of ‘Savour’ Cheese - a creamy textured cheese with both goats’ and cows’ milk - and ‘Natural Beauty’ Beer, which uses malting barley grown at Salcombe.

The products were launched by former Minister for the Marine and Natural Environment Huw Irranca Davies earlier this year. “This new cheese and beer really give you a flavour of this area which is home to a diversity of dedicated producers, we hope you will join us for this celebration of local foods” commented AONB Partnership Chairman Richard Foss who farms near Start Point.

Tickets are £12 each and must be booked in advance from the South Devon AONB office 01803 861384.

4.   Keith Floyd remembered at the October Food Festival

Due to popular demand the amazing rock and roll band, the Red Bullets, will be making a return appearance to perform at the opening of the Dartmouth Food Festival on 20 October in the Market Square at 7:30pm.  Having won a huge fan base when they performed at the Dart Music Festival earlier this year, the band are returning to play at the event as part of a joint-fund raiser for the Food Festival and for the 2011 Dart Music Festival.

The unique talents of the band will help kick off the Food Festival for a fun night. The band, borne out of a love for song-writing and excellent musicianship, features: singer songwriter Peter Edwards, drummer Mark Edwards, guitarist Kyle Hall and bass player Mark Wheeler. All have found a unique place for their songs that embraces a collective love of great pop tunes and displays the rock n’ roll roots which flow through the band.

The evening will have a retro theme celebrating 50 years of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and remembering the wonderfully flamboyant Keith Floyd who sadly died last year and was part of the local food scene for many years. The menu will reflect this with Keith's recipe for Andalusian Paella (provided by the Royal Castle and Ferry Boat Inn) and a very 80's Banoffie Pie from the Dartmouth Golf and Country Club. Pam Braakenburg, Chairman of Dart Music Festival said: “The evening will be a joint fund raiser for the two festivals. Additionally it will commemorate Keith Floyd’s contribution to dining and to the area. It will be great fun and a night not to be missed.”

The tickets are a bargain at £12.50 and can be purchased from the Tourist Information Centre in Dartmouth.”

5.   Small News

Nearly all of our news photographs are taken during the 7 days preceding publication of the news.  The photo of the Boatfloat at the top of this news, and the boat on the right, were both taken last Monday and show how delightful Dartmouth can be in Autumn.   We have our own micro-climate and several days this week our temperatures have edged towards 20 degrees centigrade.  So how about coming down for that weekend break, but be prepared to stay longer!

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.