3.   Classic Channel Regatta 2007 - Dartmouth Classics

Charles de Brosses reports: In 2005 the Classic Channel Regatta brought some eighty magnificent classic yachts to Dartmouth to take part in the Dartmouth Rally  before some of them sailed to France.

In 2007 the event promises to be even more successful, and is on its way to becoming one of the highlights of the new Channel Classic Regatta Circuit 2007, which starts in Harwich early June to finish at Plymouth on July 31st after having sailed to Cherbourg, Dartmouth, Saint Malo, Saint Peter Port, Perros-Guirec, and Cowes.

Yachts designed by Illingworth, Mylne, Fife, old gaffers, a beautiful 30 square metre, mingling with Laurent Giles, Sparkman & Stephens, Philippe Harlé, Sergent and many other splendid designs, had sailed from all over the country and also from France to congregate here over a July 2005 week-end. To thank Dartmouth and Kingswear for their hospitality they got together for a sailpast under full sail from the Higher Ferry down to the castles before starting on the Classic Channel Race.

This is one of the moments when the Dart estuary truly does come into its own.  Dartmouth Classics expects to bring 100 yachts and their five hundred crew to Dartmouth for two days of racing on June 30th and July 1st, with social events in the evening, before the fleet sets sail for the ancient city of Saint Malo on July 2nd.

Make sure you are in Dartmouth to see the sailpast on July 2nd; for Self catering click here,  for B&B click here,  for Hotels click here.  If you sail a classic, whatever her size, do not miss this opportunity to measure yourself against your peers.

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4.     Farmers' & Christmas Market this Saturday

This has to be the best Market in December?  Meet your friends, spend money, be happy!

 

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5.     Christmas in Dartmouth

Not much news this week, so here is a selection of photos taken this week in Dartmouth, from top right, Dartmouth Ice Cream, Dartmouth Trading, Castle Hotel foyer, Dartmouth Ice Cream (again!), French Bread shop, The Butterwalk.

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6.   Memories of Dartmouth

Our favourite place in the World, Bayards Cove.  Where else can you revel in the history, watch the sun go down and have a beer and a pizza?

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7.    Jilly's new Greengrocery II

Jilly Rowden has now opened her Farm Shop where the old greengrocers used to be in the Market.  Locals were heard to appreciate the fresh local farm quality and the below supermarket prices!  Oh, and the red cabbage is in fact much bigger than the parsnips, not that the parsnips are small mind you.
 

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8.    Merry Christmas from Kevin Pyne

This is the last Dartmouth News before Christmas, from Dave & Jill we wish you all a Merry Christmas and have pleasure in giving you this poem kindly supplied by Kevin.

As I walked out on the morning of your birth
(Walking the road to Dartmouth castles at Christmas)

As I walked out
On the morning of your birth
There was a peace and a silence
And such a sense of your coming
To this earth

The sun was golden
And the sky was blue
As a Robin sang in the red berried holly
Each note so perfect and in praise of you

Then a peal of bells rang out across the harbour
To proclaim your birth in the cold and clear light
It was such a beautiful day
For such was the present to the morning
From the cold dark night

My father walked this road
And his father to
Now I walk with those I still love
And who smile as they remember you

There were ships and fishing boats
In the harbour one two three
And I remembered the infant in the manger
Who grew to be a man?
And who turned the tempest into a day such as this
Away out on the Sea at Galilee

The dolphins played and the seals they lay
On the great grey rocks
Away past the little merry maid
Where it is the great stone castles
Like time honoured sentries guard our church
Of Saint Petroc each day

And all was quiet and all was still
As the amber sun burnt up
The last of the night air and the winter chill
And I knew in the silence as I walked on alone
That sprit of Christmas was upon us
And all about us in our harbour homes

And I whispered “a good morning dear friend”
At the coming of such a glorious day
And rejoiced in the fact that
It was Christmas and as such our great lord’s birthday!

Walking to Dartmouth castles on Christmas morning.  The town council built that road to give local men work during the depression and my granddad was among them!

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9.     Small News

• What's on ? Our updated 2007 events calendar is nearly complete, check it out by clicking here.  If you have more dates, just let us know?
   

• Late Night opening tonight  We believe that several shops may be opening until 8:00pm tonight, this Thursday evening. 
   

• Worship at Christmas  Tonight, St Saviour's Church at 7.00pm, traditional service of 9 lessons and carols.  Christmas Eve, families and children are welcome at the Crib and Christingle service at St Clement's Church at 4.00pm, and begin your real celebration of Christmas with the midnight mass at St Saviour's at 11.30pm.
   

• It's time to book your holiday in Devon now, for Self catering click here,  for B&B click here,  for Hotels click here.  For a Tourist Guide to Dartmouth click here.
   

• Is your business advertising here, press the "where to stay" "eating" or "shopping" button on the top of this e-mail, are you there ?  Do you want to be there for free? Do you want a web site "all" inclusive for £150?  Who you gonna call?  Err, yes, that would be us then.
   

• If you want your event covered, we need the information in the week before publication, no earlier.   100-200 words, a photograph and if applicable a web site link.  If you don't have a photograph invite us so that next year you will!
   

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