2.  The Three Meerkateers

These 3 adorable baby Meerkats known as pups have made their debut appearance after spending their first few weeks underground at Woodlands Family Theme Park near Dartmouth, Devon.  The Keepers at the Zoo-Farm first discovered the pups when they went in to feed Dad, Rogan & Mum, Gibby and heard lots of little squeaks coming from one of the tunnels. Head Keeper Elliott Hamilton, said “the noises they make are very funny, they sound like they are laughing”.

“It wasn’t until Mum & Dad brought the pups out that we saw that there were 3 beautiful babies”. Being too young to sex, Elliott nicknamed them ‘The 3 Meerkateers’. “It really suits the 3 pups, they definitely are ‘all for one and one for all’. They are constantly looking out for each other and becoming very adventurous exploring their new home. We even gave them their own Muskateer’s hat to play with which was great fun to watch”.

Both Mum, Dad and all 3 pups are doing really well and they can all be seen at the Zoo-Farm at Woodlands Family Theme Park.   Click here for more.

3.   As You Like It

After visiting the dark-heart of Shakespeare last year with 'Macbeth', this year's Dartmouth Shakespeare Week lightens up considerably with The Inn Theatre Company's production of 'As You Like It'. Probably the closest Shakespeare ever came to writing a farce (although even this play has its serious side), 'As You Like It' is the simple, everyday Elizabethan story of wicked Counts, love-lorn shepherds and girls dressing up as boys and having girls fall in love with them. As ever, the production is in the open-air, in the stunning setting of Dartmouth Castle, and runs from 2nd August to 6th August.

'As You Like It' is being directed by Malcolm MacIntosh, who brought us the hugely successful 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Much Ado About Nothing' in previous years.

And we have sheep; and wrestling; and Gods and specially written music. Oh, and a lion too. Tickets are on sale (and selling fast) from the Tourist Information Centre...and please, remember to wrap up warmly; it can get chilly in the evening's at the Castle, even though it's going to be a glorious Summer!

4.   Get close up to Carmen (if you dare!)

In the intimate atmosphere Dartmouth’s Flavel opera lovers can enjoy at close range the dramatic - and ultimately tragic - story of Bizet’s Carmen. In a piano-accompanied version of this most popular opera, New Devon Opera, the south west’s own critically acclaimed resident professional opera company, bring rising stars of the opera world, Clare Presland and Ben Kerslake to perform the two leading roles of Carmen and her ill-fated lover Don Jose. The company will perform the opera in English over two nights, Tuesday and Wednesday 26 and 27 July at 7.00pm.

Much more affordable small scale opera performances have become increasingly popular in recent years, bringing many wonderful and innovative productions to a wider audience. The young professional soloists, Clare and Ben, both graduates from prestigious music schools, have already notched up appearances in top venues, both small and large, in this country and overseas and received accolades for their performances. Seasoned opera lovers will, of course, be familiar with the many famous melodies from this all-time favourite work and for those who have never experienced the thrill of a live performance this could be the perfect opportunity to become involved in a compelling drama of love, life and death, with a distinctly Spanish flavour.

For a really special evening why not include a visit to the Flavel’s Saveur Cafe who will be putting on their renowned “All you can eat” £12 hot and cold buffet prior to the show?  Book for this and tickets for the Opera, which cost £23 (£18 for under 18s) at the Flavel Box Office, telephone 01803 839530 or online by clicking here.

6.   Small News

• Oh yeah, Oh yeah. Oh yeah and a lot more! The Town Criers' Competition is this Sunday from 11.00am in the Royal Avenue Gardens. Criers will also be competing for The Peter Randall Memorial Cup which  will be awarded to best cry in Dartmouth on Sunday.  Peter, the previous Town Crier died in 2003 and this is the first competition since then. There will be about 17 criers plus their escorts, from all the over the west country and beyond, including David Frith from Bermuda who won the Armada Cup last year. There will also be prizes for 2nd and 3rd cry, plus best dressed crier and best dressed couple. The parade will be at 10.30am from Bayards Cove Inn along South  Embankment into the bandstand.
   

• Despite Dartmouth being consulted and comprehensively rejecting parking meters, Devon County Council slipped a small piece into the local paper that few of us noticed.  It looks like the consultation has started again?  Click here for details.  Everyone of us, residents or visitors, should write to "Reference HP/B05670, County Solicitor, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD" and tell them Dartmouth does not want parking meters. 
   

• 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
  
   

• Splish, splash, splosh - loadsamoney!!  This Saturday at 11.00am, three members of Dartmouth Parish Choir are bravely undertaking a sponsored swim from Stumpy Steps (where the Castle Ferry stops) to Bayards Cove - and back!!  Do come along to give them support and also some money which will go towards a new organ for St Petrox Church.
   

• Don't forget to look in at the Craft Exhibition being held in St Saviour's Church today and tomorrow (Friday).  All sorts of art and craft by local people is on show - and there are delicious home made refreshments too!!  Open today (Thursday) until 5pm and tomorrow until 4.30pm.

Images copyright  Dave Cawley,  Andy Kyle,  & others.