Mark Riley reports: It was with great pleasure that last Friday, Coombe Gallery in Foss Street welcomed Sir Peter Blake to open his exhibition: ‘Treasures by Selection’. An expectant crowd gathered to meet the artist, famed for his Sgt Pepper Lonely Hearts Club album cover, and they were not disappointed. Sir Peter chatted at length with fans of his work and generously signed books and catalogues long into the evening. Gallery curator Mark Riley had spent 2 years putting together this exhibition and was delighted with the way the evening went. The wine, generously sponsored by Eddy from the local Dartmouth Wine Company flowed freely and guests tucked into food supplied by Sally Bond from Dittisham including her popular Bloody Mary tomato canapés.

A considerable amount of signed Limited Edition prints and books were snapped up by eager art collectors and with this excellent show continuing until 10th September it looks set to run and run. Further works can be seen by clicking here and also on display at Coombe Farm Studios in Dittisham.  Shown here are the many people who came from all over the country to see Sir Peter at his Private View.

2.  Regatta is coming!

The Regatta Programme is now out, call in at the Tourist Information Centre on Mayors Avenue Car Park in the centre of the town to buy your copy.  You can check out the Official Regatta website by clicking here.  But if you want see loads of colourful photographs of what happened in the last five years, and to see if you are in any of the photographs, you really ought to click here !

There are still some vacancies in Dartmouth so maybe you can come after all?

If you enjoy Regatta consider also coming during a sunny February week where you will find a vibrant town, fires roaring in pubs, a clear unhurried river and peace and tranquillity.  Dartmouth, don't you just love it?

3.   Children's Fancy Dress

Next Regatta Thursday at 10:00am at the Bandstand in Royal Avenue Gardens there will be a Children's Fancy Dress competition.  All are welcome, just turn up before 10:00am. This is a yearly even run by our good friend Tessa de Galleani of The Gift Box.  Lady Mary Newman and the Deputy Lady Mayoress Jill Cawley will be judging, and a what a job that will be!  Lots of scrummy prizes will be given out and almost everyone, adults included will get a free sweet or two!  This highlight event of Dartmouth Regatta is sponsored by Blackpool Sands, The Venus Cafe and The Gift Box.  In fact all during Regatta The Gift Box in Market Street will be having a Regatta Sale where you will almost certainly want to buy a gift for your loved one, for Christmas, or even for yourself, have a look, you will be surprised and delighted!  The photo here is from last year's event.

4.   Kingswear Regatta Presentations

On Friday, August 12th at 6pm Kingswear Regatta Committee were very pleased to be able to distribute £2400 to three main beneficiaries, Help for Heroes, Froward Point National Coastwatch, and Kingswear Rowing Club.

Jimmy Wright received a cheque for £800 on behalf of the national charity Help for Heroes from fellow committee member Edward Jones. Ros Willmott presented another cheque for £800 to Froward Point Station Manager Bob Tozer. Ros herself was thanked for selling hundreds of ducks for the Regatta Duck Race this year. A third cheque for £800 was presented to Kingswear Rowing Club who provide all the equipment to make this unique village event possible. The Rowing Club Chairman Wendy Ryan was pleased to receive the cheque from Gill Davies, Regatta Secretary.

The Regatta held in the middle of July was, as usual, full of family fun, with two days of rowing races on Waterhead Creek; a hugely popular Dog Show; beautiful vintage and classic cars; a traditional Punch and Judy show as well as lots of games, stalls and good food.  Click here to see more about the best small Regatta in South Devon!

5.   Small News

• Adrian Booker reports: The allotment holders are so delighted with their results in this first  year, and there is so much public interest, that the gates will be  thrown open to the public during an  open session from 10am to 12 noon on this Saturday 20 August.
   

• Kim Fricker reports: The Cued Speech Summer Camp kick starts the summer holidays in style! The 11th annual Cued Speech Summer Camp pitched up at Bicton College in Devon for the first time from 30th July to 3rd August. This event was organised by a small national charity, the Cued Speech Association UK (CSAUK), who are based in Dartmouth, Devon. Summer Camp is their main event each year, where parents of deaf children and professionals can come to learn the Cued Speech system in order to give deaf children access to the English language at home and school.
  For more information  phone (voice and text) 01803 832 784 or click here.
   

• Regatta events taking place in St Saviour's Church include the traditional bell ringing by the Town Ringers and lunchtime concerts (beginning at 11.55am).  On Wednesday Andrew Maries plays the oboe, on Friday Henry Tozer plays the piano and David Leek gives an organ recital on Saturday. Retiring collections are in aid of the post-earthquake restoration fund for St Michael and All Angels in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Thursday recital this year is being held in St Petrox Church with Amanda Heldt, soprano, and is in aid of St Petrox Church Pipe Organ Fund.
   

• Don't forget Regatta Praise this Sunday at 3pm in the Royal Avenue Gardens!
   

• Join our Dartmouth News Facebook page and read things  you never knew about Dartmouth!  Click on the logo or click here.  Or if you are travelling it's simply www.facebook.com/DartmouthNews  nothing more !

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.