2.  Lawrence Berry retires

Many of you will have met Lawrence who was much more than just the Caretaker at the Guildhall and latterly acting Market Manager.

Lawrence would open up, help, move stuff, anything that was required.  Lawrence is a Dartmouthian who often told us of his stories as a lad.  He explored the many underground tunnels connecting different parts of Dartmouth, now sadly all blocked off.

Lawrence wanted to take up photography and with the help of Chris (often seen in the Windjammer)  bought an upmarket Canon DSLR.  Shown here is our Town Mayor presenting Lawrence with a Dartmouth Town plaque for his 21 years' service.  The Dartmouth dot TV crew wish you well Lawrence, see you in the Windjammer soon!

3.   The Comic Strip Presents

Who remembers "Five Go Mad in Dorset" from 1982?  Lashings of Ginger Beer...............

They are back and were filming in Dartmouth this week, if you had Dartmouth News on Facebook you would have known! The Comic Strip is producing a one-off special entitled "The Hunt for Tony Blair". This is a spoof set in the 50's and you will see numerous local people as extras.

The 60minute film is penned by Peter Richardson and Pete Richens and follows Prime Minister Tony Blair (Stephen Mangan), wanted for murder and on the run. Escaping from Number 10 and leaving behind his adoring wife Cherie (Catherine Shepherd), Tony vows to clear his name no matter what the consequences.

But on a foggy London night, Tony has few friends willing to harbour a wanted man and with front pages demanding his capture, Blair has no choice but to go on the run, with Inspector Hutton (Robbie Coltrane) and his sidekick (James Buckley) hot on his trail. The chase unfolds thanks to evidence gleaned from his ‘allies' Mandelson (Nigel Planer) and Brown (Ford Kiernan), as well as an unlikely encounter with Margaret Thatcher (Jennifer Saunders - a la Bette Davies in ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane'). Surely Tony's an innocent man, pursued for a crime he didn't commit?

The cast also includes Harry Enfield as Alistair Campbell, Rik Mayall as Professor Predictor, Morgana Robinson as Carol Caplin, John Sessions as Thatcher's butler and Ross Noble as an ‘old Labour' Tramp.

4.   Kingswear Regatta soon!

Kingswear Village Regatta is to take place on Jubilee Park at the end of Waterhead Creek over the weekend of July 23rd and 24th this year. It is now in its sixth year in its current format and promises to provide another fun-filled weekend for families with members of all ages, including four-legged ones !

As usual, the event will centre around rowing races on Waterhead Creek, organised by Kingswear Rowing Club. Some are purely for fun (why not have a go ?!) with a best fancy-dress prize on offer. Some are naturally a little bit more serious but always good-natured. Once the rowing heats get underway at 9.30 on Saturday, July 23rd, there will be a display of beautiful vintage and classic cars owned locally, weather permitting of course. This will be followed by the ever popular dog show with an agility display and four events in both an adult class and for owners under 12 years of age. Contact Daphne Hine-Haycock by clicking here to enter.

A new event for Saturday this year is a fun five-a-side football tournament from 1pm. The emphasis is definitely on the fun as all players must wear nighties ! Contact Chris Bonnet by clicking here  for more information. Hot and cold drinks are available from 9.30am and a licensed bar from 11am. The Wright BBQ will be serving bacon butties and you can pre-order a jug of Pimms for Sunday.

The main Regatta fete takes place on Sunday, July 24th with family picnics on the grass, stalls, games and the rowing finals which start at 10.30 am and culminate in the Dartmouth versus Kingswear Grand Challenge Race early in the afternoon. Non-stop entertainment will include the Duck Race, adult fencing and junior taekwondo demonstrations by local clubs, a Punch and Judy show and a musical performance from Kingswear Primary School children. There will be a range of catering to suit all tastes – cream teas from the W.I., Manna from Heaven pizzas, a Fountain Violet Lamb spit roast, the Wright BBQ, the Dartmouth Ice Cream Co. and a licensed bar from 11am.

The Childrens’ and Adults’ Raffle will be drawn at 3.45pm and the Duck Race prizes awarded. The event then moves up the road to Kingswear Village Hall for the main prize-giving at 5.30pm. Afterwards there will be music from a local band ‘Three Bags Full’ and a barbecue at the Ship Inn next to the hall. Why not come along and enjoy the fun !! If you have any items for the raffle or tombola please call Gill Davies on 01803 752613 or email by clicking here.

6.   Small News

• James Brown of Browns Hotel reports: Several of you have spotted that we have started to put Hot Tapas specials on the blackboard in the evenings to complement the Tapas platters and boards that we already do in the bar. This week you could have 1/2 hoop of spicy chorizo, sweet potato chips and a rocket salad or lamb patties, flatbread and salad. Both dishes are under £10. Good food costs less at Browns!
   

• Christopher Helyer reports: The present electronic organ at St Petrox is two years past its "use by" date The St Petrox DCC has agreed to endeavour to replace the present instrument with a pipe-organ. This is an exciting prospect, from the musical point of view, but also means that we could leave something in place for 100 years, rather than the usual 20+ years for another electronic instrument. However, it will come with a significant price-tag, perhaps in the region of about £20k.
  
  Our first major fund-raising effort takes place in The Royal Avenue Gardens on Saturday 6th August when we shall hold a Summer Fayre from 10 a.m.
   

• All are welcome at the annual Sea Sunday service this Sunday 10 July at 6.30pm in St Petrox Church, a special service for a town with such a strong maritime history.  The collection will be donated to the Mission to Seafarers.
   

• Don't forget the Farmers' Market this Saturday morning.  Buy the best of local produce from local suppliers in the Old Market Square - and check out the new shops at the same time!
   

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,  Jill Cawley, Kevin Pyne,  Andy Kyle,  & others.