What's on near our Devon self catering accommodation in November 2011
On 4 November, hear Simon Barron & Ros Brady in concert at the lovely St Hieritha's Church in Chittlehampton (about 13 miles from the cottage and lodges) at 7.30pm. Barron and Brady write narrative songs ranging from Devon legend to contemporary rural reportage. Tickets: £6 in advance, £8 on the door. Ring 01769 540581 for more information.
On Saturday 5 November the Sticklepath Fireshow will be a must! It's a community event with huge puppets playing out a story on a set that's later burned in an enormous conflagration! This year, Okehampton and district's Guy Fawkes night event presents "A Frightful Fantasy". High up on the list of outings in Devon this Autumn, The Fireshow was included last year in The Times top 15 "Britain's Best Bonfire Night events". The show will start at 7.30pm in the field of the National Trust Property, Finch Foundry, inthe Devon village of Sticklepath, near Okehampton, EX20 2NW. Tickets available on the night from 6pm - adult £7 - child (14 and under) £3. Refreshments available. Limited parking in village, free shuttle bus from Okehampton (outside Martins newsagents and Giblands bus stop. 1st bus 6.15pm, last 7.15pm - returns after the show). No alcohol, fireworks or sparklers allowed on the field. Do wear warm and waterproof clothing. The fireshow is never postponed due to rain or average windy conditions. Contact for further information: 01837 840334.
On 10 November it's Open Mouth Poetry Night at the Plough Arts Centre, Torrington. Totally acoustic poetry and music night. Local and not so local poets and songwriters share their love of waxing lyrical. A diverse evening's entertainment and a warm appreciative bunch! Ideal for first timers. Take something of your own or something you just happen to like. Be experimental. Be brave. All very welcome. For more info or to take part contact Mel 01409 211660. Torrington is about 13 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On 11 November hear jazz at the Plough Arts Centre. Clare Teal will be performing from 8pm. Her unique performance is held together by the concept of the great "British" song. Although rooted in the jazz traditions of the 1930's and 40's, the show covers a huge spectrum of sounds, genres and well-written songs which have stood the test of time - from Try A Little Tenderness and A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square to an uplifting New Orleans take on Ray Noble's Love Is The Sweetest Thing and a blistering samba arrangement of Moloko's Sing It Back with Latin percussion. Tickets Full £20.00 Concession £16.00. Box office 01805 624624. Torrington is about 13 miles from our Devon farm.
Alternatively, The Wagon Tales will be playing Bluegrass/Blues at Burrington Village Hall at 19:30 on 11 November. The Wagon Tales are a young and dynamic bluegrass band who base their music on uptempo bluegrass and raw blues sounds. They pride themselves on their rich vocal harmonies and guaranteed ability to create a good old knees-up! The Wagon Tales' members offer an impressive list of credits, including Ben Somers, who by night plays bass and sings with The Wagon Tales, and by day plays saxophone for Dizzee Rascal; fiddle player Kate Robinson, who also plays with the English Chamber Orchestra and Tori Amos; banjoist Joe Auckland, who also plays trumpet with Madness and treads the Ronnie Scott's stage with Joe Stilgoe; and amazing mandolin player Joe Hymaf who plays with both Kidnap Alice and Southern Tenant Folk Union. This show is organised by Beaford Arts. Tickets £8(ad)/£4(U21)/£20(fam). Pay bar. - Tel 01769 520241
The main part of the Hatherleigh Carnival is on Saturday 12 November. It's a unique Devon event. Flaming torches and Tar Barrels accompany floats and fancy dress contestants, watched by thousands of spectators who come from all over Devon. At 6pm, floats assemble in the Market in readiness for judging and the evening procession. Hatherleigh Carnival is famous to its crepe paper floats, which are carefully designed and made over previous weeks. The crepe paper is finely cut into single strips of 'grass' which are glued one by one onto the base of the float to create the design. The process involves hundreds of pieces of paper and perhaps 1,000,000 cuts for each float. This takes many hours of secret work ... a figure that does not include the mechanics, electronics and other engineering required. The Hatherleigh floats are joined by many others from around the area, who like to take part in what Hathertonians believe is the best Carnival in Devon. The procession leaves the Market about 7pm led by the Hatherleligh Silver Band and passes through the town. Floats stop at the top of Market Street where the Torches and Torch Frame join in to lead the parade one more time around the Town. Finally, at about 9.30pm, a hand bell signals a set of Tar Barrels is about to roll down the hill! Children run after the Barrels and folk follow them down to the Market where another big bonfire ensues. Go early, or be prepared to park and walk, as streets will be closed to cars. Hatherleigh is about 8 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On 12 November at 8pm Jamie Smith's Mabon + Support plays at the Plough Arts Centre with local folk musicians Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll as support. Award-winning, stunning, joyous and vibrant - Celtic music without borders - Jamie Smith's MABON is an essential and heady treat, currently seen by audiences and critics alike as one of Britain's fastest rising 'must see' roots acts. Their music is self-styled, singular and toe-tappingly good - an irresistible blend of world music, Celtic roots and rabble-rousing funk folk, filled with energy, joy and passion. Jigs and reels jostle for space alongside Breton fest-noz, French mazurka, Galician muinera and even shades of klezmer in an exuberant, feelgood show. Full £15.00 Concession £13.00. Box office 01805 624624. Torrington is about 13 miles from our Devon farm.
On Sunday 13 November, join a 5.5 hour Dartmoor Guided Walk, leaving King's Oven at 10:00. Visit a moorland war memorial via grimspound, Hameldown and Chalacombe. Walkers need to be fit and well equipped. Guide T Burges Distance 6.5m/10.5km. Costs £9. King's Oven is at map ref SX 675 810, 100m NE of the Warren House Inn on the B3212 Postbridge-Moretonhampstead road (you can't miss the inn). It's about 26 miles from your self catering accommodation.
From 16 to 19 November at 7.30pm the Torrington Players present comedy Hobson's Choice at the Plough Arts Centre. A comedy about a domineering bootmaker who has a fondness for drink and expects his three daughters to work in the shop for no wages. He rules out their marrying (he has no intention of spending money on weddings). However, he underestimates his eldest daughter who decides she will marry Willie Mossop - the talented, brow beaten bootmaker who earns the money for Hobson. (Willie has no choice in the matter). They set up their own business which grows from very small beginnings. Maggie sets about helping her sisters to marry the men of their choice whilst Hobson increases his drinking and his business goes down hill. Eventually Maggie and Willie come to his rescue when they present him with 'Hobson's Choice'. Torrington is 13 miles from your self catering accommodation. Tickets £8, Box office 01805 624624.
Saturday 19 November has the Okehampton Farmer's market in the centre of town from 09:00. Sometimes big, sometimes small, the market will always have good local produce.
Clovelly Herring Festival is on 20 November, at the Harbour, Clovelly from 10.00am - 4.00pm. Note, this is a privately owned village and there's an entrance charge - but that will include all the fun of the day. Clovelly was once a major centre for herring fishing. This popular festival is held in support of sustainable fishing by traditional methods and to celebrate the herring, the Silver Darlings of the sea. There'll be herring specialities, beer and cider, traditional shanty singers, street entertainment, local stalls and the Nort Devon A.O.N.B. will provide event-themed, free craft activities. Mike Smylie will return with his 'Kipperland' exhibition and smoke his delicious kippers and bloaters. There will also be net making, flax processing and a curragh on show provided by 'Flaxland', plus local stalls. Subject to weather, the vessel "Edith Gray", which is based on the smaller transom sterned Pilot Cutters of the Bristol Channel, plans to go along too. Clovelly is about 30 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 25 November the Art Bazaar at the South Molton Assembly Rooms celebrates its tenth anniversary , gathering over fifty artists and makers into the beautiful, listed Assembly Rooms for one day only from noon to 8.30pm. With prices starting at around £5, there is no reason to feel that 'Art' is not for you. South Molton is about 15 miles from our Devon farm.
On Friday 25th November, 7.30pm, at Winkleigh Village Hall hear Barb Jungr sing. Following rave reviews across the UK and in New York, Barb Jungr brings her collection of classic popular songs on the theme of love to north Devon. Including songs by Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Leonard Cohen and more, Jungr brings her unique vocal vision to this well-known and well-loved material. With an approach encompassing torch songs, swinging jazz, candlelit nightclubs and all points in between, this award-winning singer has been called "a superlative interpreter of the great Song Books" by The Independent and "Sensational" by The New York Times. The Village
Voice said "miss her artistry at your peril". Barb has recently returned from a sell-out tour of Australia, a run at The Edinburgh Festival, and three seasons in New York (Cafe Carlyle and The Metropolitan Room). Winkleigh Village Hall is only 2 miles from your self catering cottage or lodge. Tickets £8(ad)/£6(ch) - Tel D&S Supplies (daytime) 01837 83366 or 01837 83407. There will be a pay bar and light snacks. Promoted by Winkleigh Drama Group and Beaford Arts.
On 25 November The Fannies return to the Plough Arts Centre, Torrington for their 2011 extravaganza! This time they take you on a frantic festive fling through the season of goodwill and peace to all men … and throw you out the other side. Comedy sketches, dodgy dancing and singing that you may need to anaesthetise yourself for, so order early at the bar! Tickets go fast, so get yours NOW! This show will be raising money for the Plough and other local charities. Full £8.00 Concession £7.50 Supporter £7.00. Torrington is 13 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On Saturday 27 November catch Hazel O'Connor at the Plough Arts Centre at 8pm. Striding into the spotlight with cult movie Breaking Glass, award-winning singer-songwriter, Hazel O'Connor immediately became an iconic figure. Her unforgettable songs from the film including Eighth Day, Will You , Big Brother, and If Only seem even more relevant in our present times. Expect a sumptuous evening of some of the greatest songs from the 20th century delivered with passion and fire - the old, the new and everything in between. Accompanied here by virtuoso saxophonist Clare Hirst (Bellestars, Communards, David Bowie) and pianist and vocalist Sarah Fisher(Eurythmics)this powerful blend of voices and musicanship brings a sweet touch of class and energy to their vibrant performance. Full £17.00 Concession £15.00. Torrington is 13 miles from the self catering cottage and lodges.
On 27 November The Christmas Craft Fair at Eggesford Gardens 11am-4pm, just 4 miles from the cottage and lodges, presents a great opportunity to find an unusual or unique Christmas gift. With more than 25 stall-holders exhibiting their wares, why not go along and have a browse. The fair has a festive feel and as well as gift ideas there are cards and decorations too. Dried and silk flower art, pottery, watercolour paintings, textiles, jewellery and wooden boxes are just a few of the crafts.
Wheatland Farm
home t. 01837 83499, email info@wheatlandfarm.co.uk, Wheatland Farm, Winkleigh, Devon, EX19 8DJ.
Devon self catering cottage and eco lodges
Firework shows, carnivals, folk and jazz... there's plenty going on in this part of Devon even as the nights draw in.
4-6 November there's a 'Devonmade Christmas' event in The Old School Rooms, North Molton (about 16 miles from your self catering cottage or lodge). On the Friday you can visit from 12.00 - 8.00pm, and on Saturday & Sunday it runs from 10.30am - 4.30pm. Admission is free, and a warm welcome awaits you. Find a variety of local handmade products to fill your stockings with more original gifts than can be found on the high street.
Winkleigh has it's fireworks on 4 November, at the sports centre. Tickets on the door, time to be confirmed, but early evening. Ask at the farmhouse! It's only 2 miles from the cottage and lodges.