Dartmouth welcomed HMS St Albans to the river last weekend, in glorious spring weather.  Lots of people were lucky enough to visit the Type 23 Frigate on Saturday as part of her Flag Officer Sea Training.  Commander Tom Sharpe OBE, her commanding officer, explained that later in the year she would be heading off to the Gulf for operational deployment there.  Visitors were shown the ops room, the bridge, the ship's Merlin helicopter and saw demonstrations from the crew in firefighting and the fast response boats.  Thank you Royal Navy!

2.  Wildfire welcomes Rioja winemaker

Dart Marina’s Wildfire Bar & Bistro in Dartmouth will welcome special guest Roberto Ijalba Perez, from the Ermita de San Felices estate in Spain to a Wine Tasting Luncheon on Thursday 14th April from 12:30pm. Throughout the event, Roberto will share his stories, knowledge and experience of making Rioja, and will be on hand to answer questions about the art and tradition of winemaking.

Chris Jones from Dart Marina comments: “This promises to be a wonderful lunch - Roberto is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable winemakers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and his passion for Rioja is obvious. I was lucky enough to visit the Rioja region of Spain to explore the area in depth and to taste some amazing wines, but I always feel there is so much more to discover. Ermita Rioja is one of our most popular wines and so we are really excited that Roberto will be here in Dartmouth to meet and talk about his love of Rioja.” Tom Woods, head chef at Dart Marina has created a three-course menu bursting with local, seasonal ingredients such as hand dived scallops from Start Bay, Blackawton lamb and Westcountry cheeses. Each course will feature a specially chosen Ermita Rioja, and a description of the wine from Roberto will bring each glass alive.

Amuse bouche and Gran Bach Cava will be served at 12:30pm before the Wine Tasting Luncheon starts at 1pm. For the full menu click here. A limited number of places are available, tickets are £30 each; to book please call Wildfire on 01803 837180.

3.   Hamilton and his band perform in Dartmouth at the Music Festival May 6th.

When Hamilton Loomis was 16 in 1992, his mom took him to Rockefeller's in Houston to see Bo Diddley. During the intermission, Ham went backstage to get Bo Diddley to sign Hamilton’s guitar case. He took his guitar out of the case and played some Bo Diddley and saw his reaction. He said "that's pretty good son...do some more". So he did some more and he liked it. So during the 2nd set, Hamilton was sitting right up front and Bo saw him and said "there's a young man who played for me back stage. Come up and play a tune with me". Hamilton hopped up, the rhythm player gave him his guitar, and they played a song. When they were done, he said "boy, I’m scared of you...I’m gonna break yo fingers". Then he took his hat off his head and put it on Ham’s.

Later, Hamilton went backstage to thank Bo and he gave Ham his home phone number. He said to call him and that they should record together. Hamilton called him a couple weeks later Bo invited Ham’s family to his house in Albuquerque. Hamilton went out there and recorded a couple demos in his studio with his then producer, Scott Free, who wrote some tunes for him including "Slow Lover" or “Ain’t Just Temporary”. There at his house, he tried to give Ham his bbq pit; his cat, and actually did give him a washtub bass, which he painted for Ham complete with his signature and a big "H".

Bo Diddley then invited Ham to tour with him. Together they did like 6 or 8 shows. During those shows, Ham spent so much time sitting and listening to Bo Diddley tell stories of the biz back when he was starting out. Bo would share with Ham advice on the music business, and Ham would listen to him for hours and learn, learn, learn.  In 2007, Hamilton was on a tour in Florida (where Bo lived until he passed away) and stopped by his house and jammed. They wrote "You Got To Wait" and he took it home and added words and arranged it. Hamilton played it back for Bo and he gave him his blessing, "son, you got it right". As far as we know, it's the last recorded song Bo Diddley was on before he had his stroke in 2008.

4.   The way I see it – Solo Exhibition by Devon Artist Gill Cox

Gill has gained a reputation as a specialist in colour and light, covering a wide range of subject matter spanning many years. Self taught, ex art teacher, she now concentrates purely on her God given talent of painting for her own pleasure in celebration of regaining her sight after the danger of becoming blind a few years ago. Hence her choice of title The Way I see it'.

Her first of several Exhibitions planned for this year begins at The Flavel for 2 weeks from Monday 28th March - 11th April 10.00am – 5.00pm daily where she will be showcasing a diverse painterly selection of her work in Watercolour, Oil and Acrylic chosen from her extensive Portfolio, some of which can be seen on her website by clicking here.

6.   Small News

• Jo Hampshire, senior officer of the Charities Commission said recently of the Dartmouth Trust that if 
  " the purposes of the charity were not appropriate / had failed due to e.g. social and economic circumstances, then they should conduct a public consultation, not only with the beneficiary charities but also the public/residents in Dartmouth. "
  It is thought that a group of people will hold this in late May and announce it in early May.  Doing this would enable reasonable rents to be achieved and also maintain the Trust's Charitable and Tax status.  Read what the Dartmouth Chronicle had to say by clinking here.
   

• Dartmouth Caring Annual Fashion Show is on Wednesday 6 April at The Flavel with new season outfits from Danielli, Dreams, Mistral and Starburst
  
  The evening also includes the finalist catwalk for the Dartmouth Academy Fashion Student of the Year Award. Twelve finalists were selected from the Academy’s own student show to present their outfits once more in front of the judges at the Dartmouth Caring Show. The winner will be announced on the evening. Raffle tickets will also be sold on the night for some wonderful prizes. Tickets cost £20 each and include a gift bag to take home plus delicious savoury and sweet delights by Saveurs to enjoy at a seated table whilst watching the show. They are available at each of the shops taking part or the Dartmouth Caring office, opposite the Medical Practice entrance. Proceeds from funds raised go towards the charity for use in its community support. Please do come along and enjoy the event with us, doors open at 6.30pm.
   

• Sarah Hanafee reports: This weekend we have the following: Friday 25th March – James Harris and Mick Jones playing light jazz – from 8pm : Saturday 26th March – Local singer and songwriter Mark Ely will be playing a selection of his own material and well known favourites – from 8.30pm.
  
  
   

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
   

• Donald Lang reports: 'Dart in Transition' at 10am on Saturday 2nd of April at the Flavel Centre, where we'll be talking about the 'Transition' movement, which started in Totnes less than 5 years ago yet has already inspired over 180 Transition initiatives in Britain and 380 worldwide.
  
  'Transition' has often been featured in the media, from 'In Business' on BBC Radio 4 and The One Show to Al Jazeera TV. In Totnes it has created 59 'Transition Streets groups, produced 10 short films, put 74 solar panels on the Town Hall roof (saving the Council £5,500 per year) and brought 100's of visitors and well over £100,000 into the local economy. Perhaps that's why Totnes Town Council recently voted unanimously to become the first official 'Transition Town Council' in the UK! Local Dart projects include affordable self-build eco-home developments in several local villages, community owned care homes, our sustainable inshore fishing project (with South Devon College at Noss) and the proposed Dartmouth to St Malo 60 metre sailing passenger ferry! (Yes, really!) Why not come along and see if Transition thinking has some answers for you. We hope to see you there!'

Images copyright  Dave Cawley,  Andy Kyle,  & others.