THERE'S so much to do in Devon now the days are getting longer and half-term holidays approach. Here are a few ideas for you to enjoy:
Soapbox fun at The Rising Sun
The Soapbox Derby is returning to Gunnislake this year on Saturday, May 27 at the Rising Sun Inn.
Following the success of last year’s event which pulled in crowds of over 400 people as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, organisers at the Rising Sun pub were keen to stage the event once more for 2023.
Dodging around hay bails and vaulting over a ramp, participants will once more zoom down Calstock Road in their karts in the shape of baths, benches, planes and all other unique designs.
The event will feature live music, a fun fair, a BBQ and a hog roast.
Billy Harris, landlord of the Rising Sun, said: ‘We’d spoken about a soap box race for a while in the pub. Last year started wet then the sun started shining just before the first race, was a great community day where everyone came together building their carts.
It was the talk of the village beforehand with people discussing their carts — some more secretive than others!
We had best in show and top speed categories, both of which had silver and gold trophies. All the children participating received trophies too. This year is proving to be just as busy and exciting with lots to do for children and adults alike.’
If you would like to compete in the derby and to register your entry, email [email protected] or call 01822 832201
For more about The Rising Sun visit https://www.facebook.com/TheRisingSunGunnislake
Cheers to that! Ale and Rail returns this Bank Holiday
The South Devon Railway’s annual spring Rails & Ales beer festival returns to Staverton station over the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday 26 to Monday 29 May.
Steam and diesel trains are running throughout every day and into the evenings from Buckfastleigh and Totnes Riverside stations, as there is no car parking at Staverton. The popular festival starts at 11am every day, finishing at 10pm, and 6pm on Monday.
The main bar, which is located in the former goods shed on the station, will be serving a thirst-quenching selection of over 45 real ales. A selection of ciders, eight craft beers, gin, wine, Pimm’s and Prosecco as well as hot and cold food will also be on offer each day.
There is extra fun in the evenings, with live music from the Cahoots, playing classic sixties and seventies music on Friday evening, eighties rock band Firebird on Saturday and a traditional pub quiz on Sunday evening.
Free parking is available at Buckfastleigh Station. If you are travelling by train, the South Devon Railway’s station at Totnes is a 450m walk from Totnes main line station.
To find out more visit: https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/
Cracking pair of events at Morwellam Quay
Our next two special events at Morwellham Quay are our Fathers Classic Car Day and Mad Dog Mcrea in concert.
On Fathers Classic Car Day on Sunday 18th June attracts good range of vintage and classic vehicle exhibitors and a huge selection of makes and models spanning all eras displayed across the Quayside by owners with a host of car clubs participating in the show.
All classic and vintage car owners are welcome to display their vehicles with free entry to our Village Explorer and Mine Train Adventure for the driver and up to three passengers. Normal entrance prices apply to day visitors. For more details visit https://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk/fathers-classic-car-day-landing
On Saturday 8th July we welcome back Mad Dog Mcrea, pictured, following their hugely popular performances at Morwellham in the last few years. Mad Dog’s will delight you with a blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies, Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs. For more details and to book online please visit https://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk/mad-dog-mcrea-landing
Football For All Youth Academy celebrate their first birthday
At F4A we believe that great coaches leave a life long impact on children. Our coaches are the key to unlocking the potential within every young person who joins us, regardless of where they are on their football journey.
Coaching is more than just running drills or standing on side lines shouting orders.
It requires a subtle blend of leadership, knowledge, supportive behaviours and excellent communication skills.
Our coaches are all qualified through the FA as a starting point. Our assistants, many of whom are starting out in their coaching careers, complete FA Playmaker awards enabling them to understand how to plan and design sessions, they continue their development under our lead coaches and working with the young people. All coaches then receive further in-house-training in first aid(L3), inclusive coaching, safeguarding, and working with young people with autism and neurodiversity, all ensuring that they approach the design and delivery of sessions with the young people’s development at the heart of all we do.
If you are a parent or carer looking for high quality inclusive coaching, we run sessions on Tuesdays & Fridays 6pm-7pm and have Train Like a Pro holiday camps in May half term and this summer.
For more information visit https://www.footballforall.org