‘Dominion’ is, at heart, a love story. Siobhan Lock is dying, but she has a plan: to find her husband Eddie a new partner before she leaves. It deals with their struggle to come to terms with what is happening to them both and how they are supported by friends and professionals - and, in Siobhan’s case, a confidante that only she can see. Although the subject matter is serious, dealing with love, loss and grieving, there is a thread of humour running through the play that readily reflects the reality of the situation: in the midst of everything, life itself still goes on. The powerful cast is led by Jill Brock and Phil Scoble (who play Siobhan and Eddie respectively), both of whom have had leads in some of the Company’s Shakespearean productions; and Phil has garnered a Best Actor gong for playing the lead in another company production, ‘Clowns’. Lesley Ash, Gil Garland, Ben Hamilton and Jane Windsor-Smith give hugely accomplished performances to round the story and help carry the audience through this enthralling production.

‘Dominion’ will be at The Flavel Theatre, Dartmouth on 24th, 25th & 26th March @ 7.30pm. It is both a love story and a story about love, loss and leaving - and in support of Rowcroft Hospice.  Click here for more details, then select 24 March.

2.  A surprise 70th Birthday gift from Canada

Another glimpse into the past of Greenway Ferries' 'Fairmile', the English Riviera's most iconic and easily recognisable World War Two passenger ship was made possible today after an email sent out of the blue from Canada. Fairmile was built in 1941 by Southampton Steam Joinery Ltd for His Majesty's Royal Navy as RML497 and served King and country in active service as part of the 69th Flotilla between 1941 and 1947.  She has since provided civilian services across Torbay and most recently to Dartmouth and Agatha Christies Greenway.

Andrew Barton whom now lives in Canada, and is grandson of Les Parkinson, Rescue Motor Launch 497's master during Fairmile’s active service years, emailed Greenway Ferry and Pleasure Cruises attaching a picture taken by his grandfather prior to the decommissioning of the ship, together with a collection of found memoirs. The poignant black and white photograph surrounded by signed pictures of her crew was put together by Mr Parkinson as a memory of time served aboard the ship for his crew.

Will Ford, Director of Greenway Ferry said "When we purchased Fairmile in a sorry state from Poole prior to returning her home to Torbay in 2009, paperwork and history on her was, let's say, not up to scratch. The new owners had not received any memorabilia, pictures or paperwork other than that necessary to transfer the ownership of the vessel. Unbelievably, this is the first actual picture we have and have ever seen of Fairmile / RML497 during active service in World War Two and is of huge importance to the historic memory of this very special vessel. I can confirm it will take pride of place onboard in the newly refurbished Churchill's saloon”. People interested in the memoirs of Les Parkinson can find them by clicking here.

3.   The Illusionist tonight!

This movie by the French film-maker Sylvain Chomet, director of Bellville Rendezvous, is an act of homage and an act of cinematic love: a classically conceived, hand-drawn animation based on an unproduced script by Jacques Tati, written in 1956. Our weary hero is an old-fashioned variety-turn conjuror at the end of the 1950s, specialising in rabbits and hats, paper flowers and coins, and presenting each creaky trick with a deadpan fastidious flourish... Lack of work forces him to leave France for England, where he heads north and ends up in Edinburgh – acquiring, along the way, a young companion. She is heartbreakingly dazzled by the faded showbiz glamour that everyone else finds so passe, or perhaps sincerely believes in his magical abilities...

This film is on tonight at the Guildhall at 7.30pm. Guest tickets can be purchased on the night of the screening at The Windjammer pub in Victoria Road, Dartmouth for £3.60 per film, between 7.00 – 7.25 pm. New members can join at the door on any screening night. For further information contact: Clive Osborne on 079-6802-6449

4.   Special Sports Day

Dartmouth Leisure Centre on Saturday 12th March 2011 from 1 pm - 3.30 pm.  Dartmouth and District Sports Association has been formed over two years with the aim of promoting participation in the sports clubs active in the area, and striving to protect and enhance the facilities available to all. Click here for more information.  Following on from a very successful Sports Taster day last summer when Coronation Park was thronged with under 16’s trying their skills at various sports demonstrated and coached by participating clubs, we have launched another day aimed at adults – of all ages.

Participating Sports with their Clubs:

Athletics
Badminton
Canoe Club - will have their brand new kayaks on show
Football
Gig Rowing
Parkour/Freerunning - not for the faint-hearted!
Rugby – Dartmouth RFC will be playing a match on Norton Fields for all to watch
Short Mat Bowls
Swimming Pool - displaying plans of the proposed pool
Tae Kwondo
Tennis
Walk and Talk

Dr Sarah Woolaston MP has confirmed that she intends to cycle on her tandem from her home in Chudleigh to Dartmouth to attend this event, (she's in training for a future event for fund raising for charity) and after a good two hours cycle she will arrive in Dartmouth at 2pm. She will then hold an open forum to answer questions and meet local people.

6.   Small News

• It is rumoured that although the old VT Sandquay boatyard is closing down, facilities might still be there for maintaining the Naval College boats.  A possibility is that the picket boats could be replaced with twin screw motor boats for a new course at BRNC.  Future developments might see a new building to accommodate a possible extra 600 people.  Also rumoured was a passing out parade nearly every week.  As BRNC is Dartmouth's biggest employer this all has to be considered very good news indeed!
   

• 'Traid it'
  Helen Burgess, Events Fundraising Officer for Christian Aid South West reports: "On Saturday 12 March an exciting new ethical market is coming to the Civic Hall in Totnes, raising money for the world's poorest communities. 'Traid It' is a day of trading books, clothes and auction items (small furniture, art, collectibles, antiques, record collections etc), to raise money for Christian Aid. Simply donate in the morning and come along to a sales extravaganza in the afternoon!
  Donation drop off: 9-11am  :  Open for sale: 11am-7pm  :  Auction: 1pm
  Entry is free although donations are welcome.
  As a community, simply by trading items we no longer need, we can make a huge difference to the lives of some of those living in the world's poorest communities, bringing Christian Aid's vision of ending poverty a step closer. To make 'Traid It' happen, your donations and participation are needed. Thank you for your support."
   

• Farmers' Market
  Don't forget the Farmers' Market this Saturday. Despite the current regeneration work the Old Market is still open for business. Come and buy your fruit and veg, meat and other products, all from local businesses.

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.