Tessa and Beryl de Galleani celebrated their combined 150th birthday in the Guildhall on Saturday, together their ages added up to 150.  With over 100 guests and the Guildhall decked out in style, we all had a great time as these photos show!  Congratulations both!

2.  Christmas Shopping

During a well attended "Dartmouth Community Forum" Christmas events were talked about, never too early!  Dave Cawley suggested that " Christmas Shopping " was indeed an event in its own right.  Joe Murtagh from the Chamber of Trade agreed that the unique shops in Dartmouth can make Christmas present buying so very easy. 

You "can" buy socks, handkerchiefs and pink sugar mice, but so much more.  Local food, local art, local wine and something unique for all your friends and family.  Think about it, a long weekend holiday, the bars, the restaurants, the log fires, and all your presents bought in one great fun weekend! 

3.   And Then There Were None

Bijou Theatre Productions is delighted to be presenting Agatha Christie's favourite play “And Then There Were None”. This is THE iconic Christie thriller!

The story is filled with all the twists and turns of plot that one has come to expect from ‘the Queen of Crime’, Agatha Christie. The setting is a lonely house on a remote island, a location that is completely cut off from the mainland except for a once a day ferry boat call. Ten people – a group of ill-assorted guests - are invited there by a mysterious unknown host, but they arrive to find their host strangely absent! A recording is played, and a mystery voice indicts each guest of murder. First one and then another is killed off, and as the tension grows they realise that the killer has to be one of themselves! In addition their deaths are linked to the children's rhyme, ‘Ten Little Soldier Boys’.

“Ten Little Soldier Boys went out to dine, one choked his little self and then there were nine.” Each verse describes the manner of death, and with each death one of the ten ‘Soldier Boy’ statues displayed in the house disappears! Who is the Murderer? How many will survive?

The playing dates for this not-to-be-missed production are from Tues 19th July until Thurs 21st July @ 7.30pm, with an extra matinee performance on Weds 20th @ 2.30pm, as well as a 7.30pm performance. Tickets from the Flavel Box Office 01803 839530

4.   Newcomen 300

2012 sees the three hundredth anniversary of the Newcomen Engine.  The first engine in the world and the engine that changed the world.  Thomas Newcomen was a Dartmouth resident and one of only three surviving engines is on display in the Tourist Information Centre, ask them to switch it on!  It's big, very big.....

David Gent reports: The week beginning 9 July 2012 will see:  a play on the life of Thomas Newcomen, a Memorial Service in St Saviour's church, lectures on his work and legacy, guided historical walks of Dartmouth, a steam fair , and a floral representation of the engine in the Royal Avenue Gardens.  You won't want to miss this, so book your accommodation now. Shown here Mayor, Paul Allen left, Paul Barclay  the logo artist middle, Richard Webb of Dartmouth Books right.

5.   Lady Basset's bath

This is a bit of viral marketing!  Our owner Dave Cawley remembers Lady Basset's bath in a cave in Portreath in North Cornwall from the early 60s.  However there are no photographs of it on the web, until now!  The story was that Lady Basset would be carried down when the tide was out, so that she could use the natural bath in the cave.  The Basset family made a fortune from tin mining, turned Portreath into a port that allowed their tin to travel by sea.  There was the infamous 10:1 railway line pictured here that cannot be accessed now.  So for anyone looking for Lady Basset's bath, yes Portreath is a great place, but why not stay in Dartmouth?

6.   Small News

• Dartmouth is on the up.  Had you considered a shop ? If so click here the owners are motivated, the shop is big and there is a two bedroom, two bathroom flat above available separately or together.
   

• Hurry, Hurry! Tickets for the Ditsum Players' production of 'Shakespeare in the Garden' are selling fast. Performances in the garden of Middle Meadow, Dittisham on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th July at 7.30pm. Garden and bar open at 6.00pm. Tickets are £8 from Gail Mosley on 01803 722633. (Bad weather venue is St George's Church)
   

• Annual Craft Exhibition in St Saviour's Church
  The annual parish art and craft exhibition will be held in St Saviour’s Church, Dartmouth on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 20th, 21st and 22nd July. The wide range of work on show includes tapestry, patchwork, sculpture and photography as well as flower arrangements and some outstanding contributions from students at Dartmouth Academy. The exhibition is open from 10.30am until 5.00pm on Wednesday and Thursday and until 4.30pm on Friday. Refreshments are available in the church all day and you can buy tickets for the prize draw to take place on Friday afternoon.
   

• Helen reports: . " We're having an end of season sale this week to make way for all our lovely summer stock. So come on down to HOME... and grab yourself a bargain."  Can you resist?  thought not! so make an orderly queue in Foss Street please.
   

• The 43rd Annual Regatta Tennis Tournament runs from 22nd August with finals on Saturday 27th.  A full programme of open events is scheduled including U16 juniors playing with a parent or grandparent.  Locals can enter the closed tournament as well with preliminary rounds on 6/7 August.  Again a full programme of events.  All details are on the web site: click here for further details.

• Maori performers from the James Cook High School in Auckland, New Zealand will be performing at the following places and times in Dartmouth
  # Tuesday 19th July Dartmouth Yacht Club with the Nautiboys from 7 pm
  # Wednesday 20th July Royal Avenue Gardens with Dartmouth Academy Steel Bands from 11 am
  # Thursday 21st July Dart Marina Hotel Riverside Terrace at 6 pm
  For information contact Yvonne Cottam 01803 835251

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.