What's On this weekend in South Devon?

AONB. Photo credit: Phil Hemsley – Start Point

When we say there's a lot going on in the South Hams right now, we're not kidding! 

Take a look at some of the events and activities on offer and take your pick. 

Saturday 8th July - Loving The Beach Fest at Blackpool Sands from 8.30am - 11pm.

Live music, Bays Brewery drinks tent, local food plus a whole host of demos and activities throughout the day - what's not to like?? https://goo.gl/rNZBUj

Saturday 8th July - Britannia Royal Naval College Open Day. Dartmouth, 11.00am - 4.00pm 

BRNC opens its gates to visitors to give members of the public a chance to look around this world renowned College. https://goo.gl/J7PBZ3

Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th July - Michael Sutton's Wine Cellars Wine Tasting.

Open house hosted by Jonathan and Suzi Sutton with a large variety of delicious wines to taste from 11.00am until 3.00pm. Tel. 01803 770737 www.michaelsuttonscellar.co.uk 

Sunday 9th July - Summer Celebration Open Day at Sharpham House, Ashprington

A packed day of activities and a chance to enjoy the splendour of Sharpham House and Gardens.

https://goo.gl/mwNhDo

Wednesday 12th July - Brixham Fish Market Tour and Seafood Breakfast

A chance to see behind the scenes at this world famous fish market, fishing with a delicious fish breakfast at Rockfish. Booking essential: bfmt2014@gmail.com

https://goo.gl/6hJWTu

Many thanks to South Devon AONB and By the Dart magazine for this invaluable information - for more information on future local events please follow the links:

https://www.bythedart.co.uk/search/event/events-in-dartmouth/#page=1

http://www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/

Is that enough for you to be going on with...?And the good news is, it's all just a pebble's throw from Stoke Lodge!

Stoke Lodge Hotel - the country house hotel by the sea

Thank you!

I just wanted to say a big thank you to all at Stoke Lodge for a most enjoyable Rotary Club President Handover Dinner last Thursday night. 

Dartmouth Rotary Club members and partners gathered together to say goodbye to retiring President Bill Parker and welcome to incoming President Mike Freeman (second time around for him - he must like it!).






 
It was extremely interesting to hear all about the many good causes Rotary supports not only locally but nationally and overseas - I had no idea they were involved in so much and it was quite an eye opener to learn about the many different projects currently being supported.

To find out more click the links below - you might be surprised...


Website: https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1028


Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubDartmouth/

I don't know if it's the beautiful setting, the general ambience or the friendly and helpful Mayer family and staff at the Hotel but I always feel very relaxed and at home the minute I walk through the doors, and last night was no exception.

I really enjoyed the pre-dinner drinks - scrumptious chilled rose wine in the lounge bar, teamed with lots of friendly chat - followed by dinner in the Garden Restaurant.

My choice was smoked salmon and avocado on bruschetta, roast chicken in a spicy tomato sauce with vegetables, and a very nice cheese board with crackers, followed by coffee and mints.

  

Simple things done well are - to my mind - hard to beat...

It was a really friendly, lovely atmosphere and I think Christine, Steven and daughters did Dartmouth Rotary Club proud. Many thanks to all at Stoke Lodge for another enjoyable evening - see you again soon!

Guest Blogger Valeria D

Just found some lovely images and quotes to share...

I now feel calmed, interested and inspired and I hope you will too...

ENJOY!

 

Logging off myself - can't wait to get outside right now...

Prolific Pinterest Pics from Stoke Lodge

Just take a look here at the fabulous images on Stoke Lodge Hotels' Pinterest Boards, featuring Dartmouth and the Sensational South Hams...!

https://uk.pinterest.com/bythedart/why-visit-dartmouth/

We really like this sentiment from one of the Boards:

OK, so we know that the work has to be done - but doesn't everyone deserve a break from the pressures that modern life can bring? A chance to discover and reconnect with Nature and Wildlife...and just simply relax for a day or two?

Sick of being sucked into endless e mail checking..?

Tired of texting and fed up with frustrating phone interruptions?

Weary of wasting time with worrying work deadlines and demands?

From the wonderful wildlife to the superlative scenery, the South Devon AONB has everything you need to switch off from the technical overload and plug into the natural world to help recharge your batteries.

Stoke Lodge Hotel, in the heart of the beautiful South Hams and just ten minutes by car (or a scenic walk along the South West Coast Path...) from Dartmouth, can help. With over thirty years' experience, this comfortable family run Hotel is the perfect location to discover, explore and unwind. 

 

Pinterested..?

Sound tempting? 

What's stopping you..?

Discover the many benefits that Stoke Lodge can offer and organise yourself that well earned break right now...

Click here for free 'Reconnect With Nature' information pack: 

http://www.stokelodge.co.uk/wildlife_breaks.pdf

Website: http://www.stokelodge.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stokelodgehotel/

Stoke Lodge Hotel - the Country House Hotel by the Sea

Slapton's humpback whale's fame spreads to Springwatch!

Photo credit: Herald Express

Slapton's famous humpback whale had a prime slot on BBC's Springwatch this week - here's a link:

goo.gl/5dlQTj

Slapton is just a stone's throw from Stoke Lodge Hotel - did you stay there recently and be lucky enough to get a glimpse of the whale? If so let us know - we'd love to hear about it.

Stoke Lodge Hotel - the Country House Hotel by the Sea... 

Website:  http://www.stokelodge.co.uk/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/stokelodgehotel/

What a Wonderful World Book Night Weekend...

Kate Furnivall, Annette Shaw and Jane Corry

Many congratulations to Stoke Lodge Hotel for hosting another brilliant World Book Night Extravaganza last Friday and Saturday. 

It was, as always, a hugely enjoyable event for writers and readers alike and I am sure that all who attended went home feeling newly Inspired, Informed, Interested, Imaginative, and Inevitably Impressed!

The event got off to a great start on Friday evening with a variety of delicious canapes and a glass of Prosecco, followed by a fun 'Desert Island Books meets Just A Minute' session run by Master of Ceremonies Alan Depledge.

This then evolved into, as things do when people are enjoying themselves, a round of book name charades which produced much entertainment and laughter - which of course was the whole idea! The 'Just A Minute' quiz was won by local author Jill Treseder who was presented with a copy of  'Atlas Obscura'.

Jane Corry

Saturday started with coffee at 10.00 and, after a short introduction from Alan about Stoke Lodge Hotel, author Jane Corry gave us a very interesting talk on how she came to write her Sunday Times bestseller debut novel 'My Husband's Wife'. 

Who can resist reading a book with a strapline like 'First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes murder...' ?? We are eagerly awaiting her second novel 'Blood Sisters' which will be published in June.

Please see website for details:

penguin.co.uk/authors/jane-corry/126571

Jill Treseder and Victoria Sutor

After a short break for photographs on the sunny terrace overlooking the sea, we were given two very informative and interesting talks by Victoria Sutor of the NHS Leadership Academy and writer Jill Treseder. 

They discussed and explained the many benefits that regular reading can bring, both mentally and physically - including stress relief, improvement of brain functions, and even longevity! 

For more information on this fascinating subject please visit: readingagency.org.uk and jilltresederwriter.com

L-R Lucy, friend Chloe Hughes, and Julie

This was followed by a talk each from local authors Julie Archer and Lucy Willetts, who were both inspired by last year's event and have now published their debut novels 'Cocktails, Rock Tales and Betrayals' and 'Crosskiller' respectively.

There was then a book swap - we had been invited to bring books to swap and the table was positively loaded with lovely loot! - after which we broke for lunch in the Garden Restaurant, where Stoke Lodge had prepared a wonderful buffet of home cooked turkey, beef, ham, scampi and more, with a huge variety of salads and side dishes - not to mention the gorgeous desserts which followed. 

Happy, replete and relaxed, we returned to the lounge for a fascinating talk from best-selling novelist Kate Furnivall - with nine books to her credit - who gave us an insight into the meticulous research needed to write her historical novels. Her most recent books are 'The Italian Wife' and 'The Liberation'.

Her latest novel, entitled 'The Betrayal', is set in Paris in 1938 and will be released in November.

More info: http://katefurnivall.com/

There then followed an informal networking session with short talks from local authors, including Steve Stephenson-Olds, Elizabeth Ducie, Mel Menzies, Phil Barber and Ian Hobbs, founder of book lovers' website Goodreads.

All in all it was a most informative and inspirational - not to mention enjoyable - day which ended at about 3.30pm when we left, happily clutching or 'new' book finds and giving us all a lot to think about.

Alan and Annette

With huge thanks to organiser Annette Shaw, Book Reviewer for Devon Life magazine, and to all at Stoke Lodge Hotel who hosted the event and looked after us so well - not forgetting of course the inimitable MC Alan Depledge, and indeed everyone who came along and helped to make it such a great event.

Info: 

http://worldbooknight.org/events/world-book-weekend-programme-for-readers-and-writers-part-1

 We sincerely hope they will do it all over again next year - do you..?? Got to go now - lots of lovely books to read... (Guest Blogger Val Depledge)

Stoke Lodge Hotel - the country house hotel by the sea. 

World Book Night Weekend Event

Last year's Guest Speaker Lesley Pearse, with Annette Shaw and friends

EXTRA, EXTRA - READ ALL ABOUT IT..!

Following the success of the World Book Night Event last year, Stoke Lodge Hotel is again hosting a fabulous World Book Extravaganza on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th April.    

Chris Mayer

This brilliant event kicks off on the Friday from 5.00 - 6.30pm when the Mayer family - Christine, Steven, and daughters Sam, Chelsie and Sigouney and partners, will again be welcoming guests with a glass of Prosecco and canapés to launch their fantastic book fest. 

This will be followed by 'Desert Island Books meets Just A Minute'. Participation  is not obligatory - it's meant to be fun! You are invited to bring your favourite book, or the one that's been the most special to you in tough times.

The Saturday from 10.00 until 3.00pm - starting with morning coffee and punctuated by a delicious buffet lunch - is a day filled with all things bookish. There will be interesting talks from local authors, including, Julie Archer, L.E. Willetts and Steve Stephenson-Olds, with guest speakers Jane Corry and Kate Furnivall, and much more. There will also be news and questions from readers and writers plus the great book swap - please bring books to give away and/or swap - and an informal networking session with all authors attending.

Jane Corry

The first guest speaker this year is Jane Corry, whose fabulous debut novel, My Husband's Wife' reached No 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller list.

https://www.facebook.com/myhusbandswife/

 
 

Kate Furnivall

Novelist Kate Furnivall, the second speaker, has nine books to her credit and will be explaining how she decides on the subject and the importance of research.

Her most recent books include The Italian Wife and The Liberation.

http://katefurnivall.com/

 

Writer Jill Treseder PhD and avid reader Victoria Suter from the NHS South West Leadership Academy remind us of the work of The Reading Agency and its new initiative for health. Jill also talks about why she writes.

Annette Shaw

The event has been organised by Annette Shaw, Books Editor for Devon Life Magazine, who explains that underlying all of  this is the promotion of reading. 

She tells us that it's shocking to hear how many people in the UK don't read regularly or don't acquire literary skills.  For more information take a look at the number of Read Easy Groups in Devon alone at  readeasy.org.uk and for more info/all the facts on World Book Night see readingagency.org.uk/news/.





To aid and abet the proceedings, Annette has invited Alan Depledge to be Master of Ceremonies.  Alan handles the social  media for Stoke Lodge and will open the event by talking about this wonderful Devon holiday hotel, and will also gently attempt to keep everyone to time over the two days!

There are just 50 tickets for the events on Friday evening and Saturday daytime. Places need to be reserved and paid for in full, in advance, and to keep admin to the minimum it’s not possible to make refunds should you cancel.  

To book please e-mail Julie Archer on julieoceanuk@yahoo.co.uk

More info: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldbooknightatstokelodge2017/

World Book Night website: http://worldbooknight.org/

WORLD BOOK NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA

 

Friday 28th and Saturday 29th April 2017

at Stoke Lodge Hotel - the country house hotel by the sea...