The Christmas Fair held in St Saviour's Church on Saturday was crowded with people buying Christmas presents, decorations, homemade cakes and crafts, then enjoying cups of tea and coffee with mince pies and cakes.  An amazing hamper filled with Christmas goodies was won by David and Sue Black.  The event raised over £1,300 for parish funds.  Thank you to all who donated, helped and shopped, and also to the 'heavy gang' who set the whole thing up and broke it down afterwards - you know who you are!

2.  Sparkling new recruit at Dart Marina Health Spa

As the first signs of the festive season appear and pre-party pampering begins, Dart Marina Health Spa in Dartmouth welcomes a new therapist, Samantha Morgan to its team.

Samantha studied Beauty Therapy at South Devon College and has been a qualified Therapist and Nail Technician since 2005.

Spa Manager, Lesley Dennison explains: “Samantha has a huge amount of energy for her new role and we are delighted to welcome her to our team. We’ve had a busy year so far, and will welcome Samantha’s expertise especially in the build up to Christmas. We have many guests who enjoy pre-party pampering, manicures and pedicures become a real favourite and others that are looking for a quiet place to rest and rejuvenate in between gift shopping and planning Christmas menus!”

For more details click here.

3.   The Last Station

Director: Michael Hoffman : Actors: Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, James McAvoy : 110 minutes : Cert. 15 Biography / Romance

Based on a novel by Jay Parini, The Last Station deals with the somewhat unedifying last months of the 82-year-old Leo Tolstoy that concluded with his public death at the remote southern Russia railway station of Astapovo in 1910, (the end of the line - the last station of the cross). During this time his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren) battles for his soul and the copyright of his valuable works with the writer's manipulative disciple Vladimir Chertkov, who regards himself as the guardian of the great man's reputation: he wants the money from War and Peace to be used to advance the cause of universal love and passive resistance. Their battles are observed and recorded by Tolstoy's new secretary, Valentin Bulgakov, played by James McAvoy.

Films are screened at The Guildhall, Victoria Road, Dartmouth. The bar is open from 7.00pm and the films start at 7.30pm Guest tickets are available on the night for £3.50 each from “The Windjammer” Victoria Road between 7.00pm & 7.25pm only. No guest tickets will be sold on the door. For more information  call Clive Osborne on: Tel. 07968 026449

4.   Visit home… for Christmas

Come on down to home… during Candlelit Dartmouth this weekend enjoy some festive nibbles & drinks. We have lots of lovely ideas for Christmas gifts including the new Emma Bridgewater ‘Joy’ pottery, and are also offering a free gift to customers who spend £50 or over.  So come on down to home… on Foss Street and experience the magic of Christmas.

5.   Small News

• It's Candlelit Dartmouth on Friday and Saturday click here for the timetable.  See you there?
   

• On Tuesday 6 December there is a Christian Aid Lunch in St Saviour's Church at 12 noon. Come and have a simple lunch in exchange for a donation which will help the needy at home or in the Third World. Open to everyone – come and bring a friend
  
  As Christmas approaches now is surely the right time to make a special effort for those less fortunate than ourselves.
  
   

• Alison Stocks reports: Dartmouth Caring are holding their Christmas Fete at the Flavel Church on 3 December as part of Candlelit Weekend. There are teas, coffees and cakes as well as stalls and Christmas gifts plus a raffle and tombola. Open from 10am onwards. All are welcome, please do pop in.
   

• 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.