What’s On

December 13 Christmas Market It’s that time of year again, when Miss Ivy Events stages their popular Christmas Market at the Butcher’s Hall and Pannier Market in Tavistock on Sunday, December 13th between 10.30am and 3.30pm. The day will be jam-packed full of festive treats from more than 50 artisan, upcycled and gift exhibitors selling a selection of jewellery, candles, food, gifts and many other amazing items. This is the perfect chance to pick up those special gifts for loved ones. Refreshments will be available and the venues are dog friendly. There will also be a gnome trail for the little ones. Miss Ivy is proud to support local businesses and you can too by popping along and shopping local this Christmas season. Entry to the Christmas Market is free, Covid precautions in place.

For more information: www.missivyevents.co.uk

Christmas shopping on Dartmoor

Locals and visitors can celebrate Christmas on Dartmoor in the National Park Visitor Centre at Princetown from Thursday, November 12th. They will find gifts crafted by local artisans for all the family – even for their beloved dogs - all made easier by carefully created shopping lists. There are also artisan goods and produce from The Dartmoor Range, from locally made honey to handmade soap and shampoo bars. The visitor centre, once home to Conan Doyle as he wrote the Hound of the Baskervilles, is open from 10am until 3pm, Wednesday to Sunday in December and January. subject to Covid restrictions applicable at the time.Check www.dartmoor.gov.uk for the most up to date opening information.

December 12 & January 9 Glenholt Market

10.30 am Saturday 12 December

Since the first lockdown in March, the popular monthly Glenholt Community Market at St Anne’s Church had to be suspended. Set up four years ago, the market had become a focal point for the local community. With many regulars shielding, the market has now moved to the internet. Karen Griffiths, a member of St Anne’s Church and one of the organisers of the ‘Virtual Market’, said: ‘We were missing the community and wanted to bring together and support small local businesses.’ The first ‘Virtual Glenholt Market’ was due to take place via the Zoom video conference platform and also streamed live on Facebook on November 14. The next market will be taking place on December 12th between 10.30am and 12.30pm, when traders will be offering handcrafted items which can be ordered and delivered directly. To get into the Christmas spirit, there will be a Christmas carol sing-along. Just bring your own mince pies! After the event, all traders can be contacted via the market’s Facebook group. All you need to do to take part is register here: www.glenholtcommunitymarket.co.uk/register.html or on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/glenholtvirtualmarket. A new year ‘Virtual Market’ is scheduled for January 9th. Frank Hartkopf

December 11-13 Santas go freestyle!

Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) annual Santas on the Run event is back - but not as you know it! Taking place over the weekend of December 11th to 13th, supporters will be able to choose their own distance, route and festive fancy dress. The festive fundraiser usually takes place at Great Torrington’s RHS Garden Rosemoor each year, but the local children’s charity has taken the decision to hold it virtually this Christmas due to the pandemic. It’s free to register and anyone who manages to raise more than £15 will receive a special Santas on the Run medal. Kiley Pearce, CHSW events fundraiser, said: ‘This year, Santas on the Run is going freestyle! Although we can’t all come together at Rosemoor, we can still spread some joy and laughter and we’d encourage everyone to go crackers with their festive fundraising! Whether you twinkle in tinsel or rock it like Rudolph, you can get creative with your costume and complete a distance of your choice, your way.’ CHSW’s Santas on the Run has taken place at Rosemoor since 2018 and before that was held in Bideford town centre. Over the years it’s seen thousands of people join together raising vital funds for CHSW and its Little Bridge House children’s hospice in Fremington. Together with community partner Whirlwind Sports, CHSW is asking this year’s participants to raise sponsorship or make a donation to enable the charity to continue to providing vital care for children and families when they need it most, whether that be in the hospice or at home. Kiley continued: ‘Over the weekend of December 11th to 13th, we will have a warm-up for people to join online each day, as well as lots of prizes including for the best-dressed family, child and dog! Individuals who raise £15 or more will also receive a medal. It’s undoubtedly been a challenging year and we would encourage people to get involved however they like this Christmas but most importantly, have fun and help us raise money to continue supporting local children living with life-limiting conditions and

their families.’

More information:

Registration is free! Simply register your interest at www.chsw.org.uk/santas and join the charity’s event on Facebook by searching ‘Santas on the Run – goes freestyle’ www.facebook.com/events/649916122169450

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Do you have a story, know someone who is extraordinary, or have a local event to promote? email jane.honey@ linksmagazines.co.uk

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January 29-31 Big Garden Birdwatch

Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK will celebrate their love of nature and unite to watch and count the nation’s garden birds over the last weekend in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, and the RSPB are counting on Devon residents to join in too. This year’s event takes place on January 29th, 30th and 31st, 2021. Devon residents are asked to spend just one hour watching and recording the birds in their garden, balcony or local park, then send their results to the RSPB. Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s chief executive, said: ‘We know for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider world and bring enormous joy. Lockdown brought few benefits, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people. ‘By taking part in the Birdwatch, you are helping to build an annual snapshot of how our birdlife is doing across the UK. We know that nature is in crisis but together, we can take action to solve the problems facing nature.’ The house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird with nearly 1.3

million sighted in 2020. Starling held down the second spot once more, with the blue tit completing the top three. While house sparrows and starlings may be the UK’s most commonly sighted birds, a closer look at Big Garden Birdwatch data shows that numbers have in fact dropped dramatically since the Birdwatch began in 1979. House sparrows are down 53% while starlings are down 80%. It’s a pattern echoed by two more garden favourites, with blackbirds and robins down 46% and 32% respectively. To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2021, watch the birds in your garden or local park for one hour at some point over the three days. Only count the birds that land, not those flying over. Record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour. The RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch takes place between January 6th – February 21st, 2021. This year, it celebrates its 20th anniversary of connecting children with nature in their school grounds. Further information can be found at www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch For your FREE Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch Registration for Big Garden Birdwatch 2021 opens December 9th, 2020.

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January 15 Adoption information

With the current COVID situation ongoing, the adoption agency Families for Children is now running information sessions online via Zoom. If you are considering adoption but are not sure where to start, why not try an online information session to give you the opportunity to find out more. You will hear from adopters and can talk to Families for Children’s experienced adoption team about how you can adopt, the qualities needed to be a great adopter and of course about the children waiting.

January 30 Tom Stade

To Book:

Visit www.familiesforchildren.org.uk/book-onlineinformation-event/ The sessions are being held on Friday, January 15th between 2pm and 4pm; Tuesday, February 9th between 6pm and 8pm and Saturday, March 13th between 9am and11am.

Following his last smash-hit UK tour and direct from this year’s Edinburgh festival, Tom is back on the road with a brand-new show which comes to The Watermark in Ivybridge at the end of January. The kids have moved out and it’s the dawn of a new era! Tom’s embracing change with his usual spirit and irrepressible sense of mischief; what’s coming is way better than what has gone! Thirty years on the comedy frontline and this Canadian legend remains as engaging, innovative and hilarious as ever. As seen on Ch4’s Comedy Gala, BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, The John Bishop Show and Live at the Apollo. ‘For energy think Porsche 911: 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds. Wouldn’t be out of place in an arena. Career-wise he’s just getting into his stride.’ Mail on Sunday ‘Swagger of a rock star, charisma of a talk show host. Hilarious. See for yourself before the secret gets out.’ Warrington Guardian ‘UNMISSABLE’ Edinburgh Evening News

Pledge to shop local! This year has been incredibly hard for local retail and hospitality businesses. Shop4Plymouth is asking you to join its amazing cast of characters and make a pledge to shop locally for your Christmas gifts this year. With so many businesses offering local deliveries, click and collect and alternative ways to shop, it’s easy to shop local and means you’re helping to make a positive difference to Plymouth. A spokesperson said: ‘Whether it’s continuing to buy your fresh produce from local butchers, green grocers and fruit and veg shops or committing to buying gifts for friends and family from Plymouth

businesses, we’re asking you to make a pledge and to share with us on social media how you’re supporting local this Christmas.’ Many, small, independent businesses depend on the Christmas shopping season so please support them where you can to save businesses and protect jobs. But remember the big chains and leisure businesses employ thousands of local people too, so any money spent in Plymouth still helps the local economy. Simply post your pledge, saying how you’re planning to buy locally and share it on social media, tagging @Shop4Plymouth on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and using #Shop4Plymouth

Join our city’s amazing cast of characters

Rhubarb and Custard Cake

At Knightstone Tearooms, based on the old airfield in Yelverton, we like to keep to the spirit of RAF Harrowbeer and the Harrowbeer archives with plenty of retro recipes and meals. Developed by our own ‘Queen of Cakes’, Janine, this old-fashioned favourite reminds

Ingredients

500g spreadable butter 500g golden caster sugar 3 sachets instant custard mix 500g self-raising flour 8 eggs 3-4 sticks rhubarb 200g caster sugar 1 jar apricot jam 250g butter 400-500g icing sugar 8 rhubarb & custard sweets

Method

Cut the rhubarb into two centimetre pieces and put it in an oven-proof dish, sprinkle with 200g caster sugar, and bake at 165°c for about 15 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved and is starting to caramelise. Remove it from the oven and leave to cool, before mixing in a quarter of a jar (two tbsp) of apricot jam or marmalade. While the rhubarb is cooking, beat together the spreadable butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in two sachets of custard mix powder and 1 tsp of vanilla extract or paste. Add the eggs one at a time then gently fold in the flour. Pour the mix into two greased and lined nine or ten-inch round cake tins. Bake at 165°c for 20 to 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bounces back when touched gently. Leave the cakes to cool. Make up a sachet of custard mix with half the quantity of milk or water stated on the packet. Beat well to a thick consistency, beat in the vanilla extract, and leave until cold. Then add all the icing sugar and the 250g pack of butter. Beat well and chill. When the cakes are cold turn one out onto a serving platter and spread it generously with the rhubarb jam. Top it with the us of sucking on those red and yellow candies from yesteryear. The cake is topped with sweet and creamy, custard buttercream and filled with our homemade sharp and tangy rhubarb jam - truly a match made in heaven and our regulars agree!

second sponge and spread the top with an even thin layer of the custard butter cream. Pipe swirls around the edge of the cake and add a shard of rhubarb and custard sweets (see below) to each swirl. For the shards Put eight sweets onto baking parchment on a baking tray, two or three inches apart, and melt them for two to three minutes in the oven – watch them carefully and do not walk away!! Remove them from the oven and quickly but very carefully as they will be scorching hot, run an oiled knife through the middle of them to leave a line. Don’t panic if they re-merge, timing is of the essence, so mark them again before they harden and they will snap easily at this mark once cold.n

When Two Rivers Meet is the new album from South Devon-based folk duo, Rhillig. Featuring original and traditional tunes and songs inspired by Dartmoor and beyond, the music is played and sung by Phil and Mahrey Berthoud on fiddles, vocals, guitars, mandolin and bodhran. The album features a variety of material, from a ballad based on the moving story of the Buckland clock, to a foot-tapping trip up Haytor; from the haunting beauty of Sweet Rosalie to the disconcerting Hairy Hands of Postbridge! There’s also the lovely A Ship Came Sailing, collected by Baring-Gould in Hexworthy and a flowing evocation of the East and West River Darts meeting at Dartmeet. Other tracks include the rowdy Rough Music Tonight (a traditional form of punishment!), a hanging and the drowning of a village! Rhillig cast their net near and far for their inspiration. Visit their website at www.rhillig.com where you can also buy their CD. 10% of profits from the sale of each CD goes to Donate for Dartmoor, to help conserve this wonderful landscape. Barbican Theatre launched it’s B-Hive Online Hub just before the first Covid 19 lockdown in March, offering fun, informative and useful tutorials, challenges and masterclasses. The B-Hive is a free hub on YouTube that anyone can access. The material is suitable for artists, emerging artists, anyone still in training, young people studying performing arts and anyone who just wants to have a bit of online fun and opportunity to be creative and move. Access the B-Hive at https:// barbicantheatre.co.uk/artists/b-hive/ More than 47,000 people have taken a look at the B-Hive and some of its most popular films included Zoom Games, where you can join ReBels Co-Lead James as he takes you through some fun games and activities you can play during Zoom calls with your friends and family. ReBels theatre practitioner Kevin Johnson leads a ‘carelessly creative’ challenge where he suggests you ‘settle down in the muck of your own mind’ and make something just for yourself, not for show and with no expectation. ReBels dance practitioner Daisy Harrison leads a challenge/tutorial on how to incorporate a wall or walls into a piece of movement or dance - especially useful for those who want to dance/move in their homes but are restricted with space. And Plymouth Culture CEO Hannah Harris gives you tips and tricks about how to find funding, leverage more money, understand the language used and how to figure out what funders really want you to say. If you have an idea for a B-Hive film or would like to be a part of Barbican Theatre’s ReBels, email rebels@barbicantheatre.co.uk

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Prestigious prize winner joins college

BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing & Printmaking students at Plymouth College of Art have welcomed the college’s newest appointment, incoming subject leader Richard Kenton Webb, winner of the prestigious international Sunny Art Prize in 2020. Richard joined the college at the beginning of November from his previous role as programme lead on BA (Hons) Drawing & Print at University of the West of England. He has extensive experience in various institutions including The Slade School of Fine Art, London and The Royal Drawing School, London over the last 30 years, has taught at some of the most respected art colleges in the UK and taken part in many residencies overseas. Richard said: ‘I love teaching. For me, teaching is a vocation, and I’m so passionate about helping each student to find their own unique voice. I’m always looking for new ways to communicate and share complex ideas. ‘Having visited Plymouth for the past 10 years, I’ve watched as Plymouth College of Art has grown, thinking to myself ‘now that’s a real art school’! It has been my dream job to teach painting, drawing and printmaking at the college for a while - and then it happened!’ Richard is an artist with painting, drawing and printmaking at the

heart of his practice, even making his own paints and inks with pure pigments. He has exhibited internationally and has work in collections in the UK, Europe, China, Mauritius, Japan, Australia, the USA and Canada. Stephanie Owens, head of school for arts and media, said: ‘We are thrilled to welcome Richard. His years of teaching expertise and experience will contribute greatly to the programme, supporting a hands on approach to critical thinking, as well as promoting the continued relevance of material-based practices as a whole. ‘During a challenging year for both students and academics, this appointment and Richard’s timely win of the Sunny Art Prize before joining us, sets a wonderful example for our students and reminds us all to strive for excellence even in the face of adversity.’

MUSIC & ART Plymouth Arts Cinema

December 11-17 The Ladykillers (U)

In a sparkling new restoration, The Ladykillers is one of the classic Ealing Comedies. The fllm follows the hilarious capers of a group of small-time crooks, taking on more they can handle in the form of their sweet, but slightly dotty, elderly landlady Mrs Wilberforce, who likes to report suspicious behaviour to the police. Unaware of her reputation, the dapper thief Professor Marcus (Alec Guinness) rents rooms in the elderly widow’s home for himself and his band of cohorts. Posing as a string quintet, the thieves pull off a bank robbery, but slip up in front of the old lady as they try to escape. Agreeing that they need to ‘silence’ her, the bumbling crooks wind up double-crossing each other and slowly killing themselves off. An absolute gem of a film. Mankiewicz as he overcomes personal and professional setbacks

The Green Mist Chronicles

Plymouth author NR Gurney will shortly be releasing his third book in a series called Green Mist Chronicles. Neil works in a local hospital and wrote these books during his spare time, marketing them at events like Devcon and through personal appearances. His books are aimed at the teen plus age group and would appeal to all fans of science fiction and fantasy who want a local twist.

December 11-17 Mank

Gary Oldman stars as legendary Citizen Kane writer Herman J. Mankiewicz. 1930s Hollywood is re-evaluated through the eyes of scathing wit and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish Citizen Kane. The story follows Mankiewicz as he overcomes personal and professional setbacks during the production of Orson Welles’ masterpiece in a film that looks set to be a lock-in for Oscar season.

More information:

You can see both films at Plymouth Arts Cinema at Plymouth College of Art, Tavistock Place, Plymouth. Call ✆ 01752 206 114 or email info@plymouthartscentre.org

The self-published books can be found on both Kindle and Amazon and are available in both ebook and paperback formats. They have received positive reviews on both goodreads and Amazon. The first and recommended book introduces a female lead called Sarah Salter who is swept into the City of Devonport following a lightning storm. She discovers a land covered in green mist and people with green faces who are fighting a military menace from a modern version of Ancient Egypt. In a land of advanced technology she alone must adapt to the challenges and make a difference? The second book is called Green Mist Singularity and continues with Sarah Salter waking in a local hospital with a green face and a series of confused doctors. Can she escape to return to the green mist world she secretly knows and take on the might of the singularity? Book three is due for release by January 2021.