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A CHRISTIE MYSTERY

by Randall David Cook

JO LOOSEMORE

Jo Loosemore performs Randall David Cook’s new one-woman play about writing, writers and why we love murder mysteries.

Two writers are obsessed with Agatha Christie, but which one is at the book launch? It seems both write about the Queen of Crime, but have both also committed a crime of their own?

‘A Christie Mystery’ plays with the idea of facts, fictions and whose story is really told.

A wonderful opportunity to see this brand new play that has only been performed once before.

Sat 21 Sep 8.30-9.30pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £15

ABBA TRIBUTE: TAKE A CHANCE ON US!

Yes they are back!! After a fantastic sell out in 2023, TAKE A CHANCE ON US returns to The Flavel!

ABBA celebrates 50 years since winning the Eurovision Contest this year so don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate this amazing achievement and experience the Ultimate Abba Party with one of the Top Abba Tributes in the UK.

Appealing to all age groups and bringing you the music of one of the most successful bands of all time, TAKE A CHANCE ON US is a fantastic fully live Abba tribute show. If you can’t see the real thing then you can still experience the wonderful songs of Abba fantastically recreated in this show.

With a live four piece band, voiceovers, costume changes, choreographed dance routines, and so much more the band members encourage lots of audience participation and of course it includes all the well known iconic and favourite Abba Hits. This year the show has some new costumes as many songs as can be packed from ABBAs 50 years! So put on those platform boots and funky suits, or just a boa and join us for a night of ABBA madness.

A PRE SHOW SUPPER IS AVAILABLE TO BOOK HERE : ABBA PRE SHOW SUPPER

AN AFTERNOON OF CRIME WRITERS

Combined ticket £25

Sat 21 Sep, from 4pm

Please note there will be a 15minute break between each session with book signings in the Library after all three events.

4-5pm: A WRITER’S GUIDE TO MURDER

RL Graham, Orlando Murrin & Jane Corry

From their different backgrounds and life experiences, these popular authors will offer their own five secrets for finding inspiration and ideas for their novels.

R L Graham the pseudonym of a Canadian partnership steeped in history. The husband-and-wife team have a broad range of interests in many periods of history including the 100 Years War and the tumultuous years leading up to the First World War and the post-war re-ordering of the world. Under the pseudonym AJ Mackenzie, Morgen Witzel and his now deceased wife, Marilyn Livingstone, wrote 11 historical crime novels including the popular Simon Merrivale series set in opening years of the Hundred Years War. Morgen is also the author of 38 non-fiction works including historical accounts of the battles of Crecy 1346 and Poitiers 1356. Death on the Lusitania set against the backdrop of the famous ocean liner’s final voyage in May 2015 is the first novel of RL Graham.  www.panmacmillan.com

After being hurled into the culinary limelight as a semi-finalist on MasterChef, Orlando Murrin edited BBC Good Food for six years and founded Olive magazine. He then changed tracks to become a chef-hotelier in Southwest France and Somerset. Orlando has written seven cookbooks and is the President of the Guild of Food Writers. He regularly appears as a guest on TV and radio and presents the BBC Good Food podcast with Tom Kerridge. His move into crime fiction with a culinary edge was inspired by his grandfather who was a Met detective and a MI5 interrogator. He inherited from his grandfather a fascination for crime and mystery. Knife Skills is Orlando’s debut novel. www.orlandomurrin.com

Having read English at University Jane’s first job was as a trainee journalist for the Thompson Organisation the owner of the Times. She then joined various magazines as a staff writer, including Woman’s Own where she interviewed both the famous and people with interesting stories to tell. Following the birth of her first child Jane turned freelance and continued to write for a number of newspapers and magazines. She was also appointed the writer in residence at a high security prison for men for 3 years. Jane’s first novels were about romance and life experiences but her prison experiences led her to conceive her first novel about a young fictional lawyer sent into a prison to defend a convicted criminal. The book was taken up by Penguin and led to further book deals. Jane is now a well-known and highly respected author of psychological thrillers which explore the darker sides of family life. Jane is a best seller on both sides of the Atlantic and her novels regularly feature on the best seller lists in the Sunday Times and the Washington Post.

 www.janecorryauthor.com

5.15-6.15pm: DEATH IN DEVON

Sarah Pearse, Helena Dixon & Hannah Dennison

In this session, chaired by Helena Dixon, the authors will talk about their novels and how certain locations have inspired and influenced their work.

Helena Dixon splits her time between the Black Country and Brixham in Devon where she now lives. Her cosy crime novels are set in the 1930s and feature Miss Underhay, a soon to be married amateur sleuth. Miss Underhay’s various everyday visits to hotels and grand houses soon involve the discovery of an unusual number of dead bodies and mysteries that demand to be solved. Many of the locations in Helena’s novels are well known places in Devon including a particular hotel in Dartmouth. www.nelldixon.com

The locations in Sarah Pearse’s novels are a good deal more sinister.  Sarah lives by the sea in South Devon but in her twenties moved to the Swiss Alpine town of Crans Montana where she was drawn to the history of the sanitoriums in the area. This was the spark for her first novel, The Sanitorium. The pull of strange and creepy places has continued in her next two novels. The Retreat takes place on an island off the English coast and her third novel, recently published, takes place in a Portuguese national park. All three novels have as their central character Detective Elin Warner searching for answers in chilling and dangerous locations. www.sarahpearse.co.uk

Hannah Dennison’s novels are all situated in Honeychurch Hall. The main characters are a mother and daughter duo who reside in the carriage house of a beautiful, if rather dilapidated, estate set in the wilds of the Devonshire countryside. Hannah’s characters are original and eccentric which enables her to bring both humour and intrigue to this charming and popular mystery series.  Hannah lived for many years in California before returning to Devon and whilst on her travels she has had a variety of jobs including working as an obituary reporter, an antiques dealer, a private jet attendant and a Hollywood story analyst.  www.hannahdennison.com

6.30-7.30pm: THIS MUCH IS PERSONAL 

Stephanie Austin & TP Fielden 

In this compelling session, Stephanie Austin and TP Fielden explore how much their own fascinating life stories provide rich material for their novels.

How much of their writing is autobiographical, and how do they separate fact from fiction?

Stephanie Austin’s fist crime novel, Dead in Devon was published in June 2019. The books are set in the real town of Ashburton on the edge of Dartmoor. Her heroine is Juno Browne, an amateur sleuth and reluctant antique-shop owner with an eclectic selection of friends. Since then, seven Juno Browne novels have been published and the eighth is due to be published in September 2024. Stephanie lives in Devon and when not writing she is actively involved in amateur theatre as an actor and director. www.stephanieaustin.co.uk

TP Fielden was commissioned in 2019 to write the English Riviera Murders, a series of retro mysteries featuring Miss “Judy” Dimont, a feisty Chief Reporter on a local Devon newspaper. The four novels chronicle Miss Dimont’s adventures after leaving the Navy in her new career as a journalist on the Riveria Express, based in the fictional town of Temple Regis. The books are full of murders and intrigue.

The murder mystery trilogy, Stealing the Crown, Burying the Crown and Betraying the Crown follows three years of Royal life in wartime. The lead character Guy Hartford is a British painter who is seconded by the Foreign Office to Buckingham Palace as a temporary courtier where he encounters the secret lives of the Royal Family.

TP Fielden is the pen name of Christopher Wilson, a Fleet Street journalist for many years with columns in The Times, The Sunday Times and The Mail. He is also a successful biographer having written books about Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales.  www.christopherwilson.info

Book signings in LIBRARY at 7.30pm

As the nights draw in at the beginning of October, things start to get a bit glitzy at The Flavel.

The incredible ABBA tribute ‘Take a Chance on Us’ will be returning to our stage bringing their stunning show full of hit after hit.

To celebrate, The Flavel bistro will be serving a Scandi inspired pre-show supper. Chicken in a wild mushroom cream sauce (Vegetarian option of stuffed mushrooms in a cream and prosecco sauce), served with hasselback potatoes and sauteed spinach, followed by a delicious blueberry and vanilla cheesecake.

Spaces are limited so book your spot for a fabulous evening now!

Please book your tickets for the concert separately HERE ABBA TRIBUTE: TAKE A CHANCE ON US!

TO BOOK TICKETS FOR EVENTS PLEASE CLICK HERE 

THE FULL BOOK FESTIVAL PROGRAM CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE BOOK FESTIVAL
In partnership with Browser Books, The Community Bookshop and Dartmouth Library

With grateful thanks to our Sponsors:

Clive & Annie Norton

Anthony & Julie Downing

Sally & Edward Benthall

Peter & Camilla Beloe

Sheila & Jonathan Shribman

Janie Harford & James Dodd

John & Lindsay Ellwood

Deborah & Mike Penn

Spencer & Caroline Wigley

and Dart Marina Hotel

 

Parking Information

Parking in Dartmouth is unfortunately a challenge. The Park and Ride will be available for parking during the Book Festival, and although the Park and Ride bus will not be operational, there is a regular bus service into town: the 92 runs every half hour:

https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/South%20West/May%202024/92_PLY%20260524.pdf

Parking is available in the Mayors Avenue car park in the town centre for a maximum of 4 hours.

BRNC Concert Band: Christmas Crackers ‘Sing along’ Concert  

This is a Christmas Crackers Concert full of fun for all the family! Step up to the most thrilling Christmas concert of the season - the Christmas Crackers 'Sing Along' Concert! Get ready to be dazzled and delighted by an evening filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable performances. From enchanting carol renditions to toe-tapping Christmas classics, our talented performers will take you on a musical journey like no other. Be prepared to demonstrate your singing skills when you can sing along to some of your favourite Christmas songs and carols!

But the fun doesn't stop there, join in on the interactive games and activities that will have you laughing and bonding with fellow concert-goers. Who knows, you might even win a special prize! Our venue will be decked out in the most festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere that will transport you straight into a winter wonderland. Get ready to be immersed in the Christmas spirit!

And of course, what's a Christmas concert without a grand finale? Brace yourself for a spectacular ending that will leave you feeling merry and bright, ready to take on the Christmas season with joy in your heart. Come one, come all, to the Christmas Crackers Concert - where the fun never ends, and the Christmas spirit is always in full swing!

Saturday 7 December, 7.30pm

Tickets £16

Christian Garrick & the Budapest Café Orchestra

are:

CHRISTIAN GARRICK – violin, darbuka

EDDIE HESSION – accordion

KELLY CANTLON – double bass

ADRIAN ZOLOTUHIN – guitar, saz, balalaika, domra

The refreshingly unconventional and snappily attired boutique orchestra are BACK!! If you missed them last year, here’s your chance to catch them!

Budapest Café Orchestra bring you gypsy and folk-flavoured music in their own fresh and surprising way. From Balkan and Russian traditional pieces to artful distillations of the masterpieces by the great Romantic composers to Gaelic folk anthems their infectious music will get into your veins and stay there forever.

With 13 albums to their name the Budapest Café Orchestra was established in 2009 by British composer and violinist, Christian Garrick, and led by him have won legions of fans with their magical and infectious performances. A small but impeccably formed ensemble of just four players, the BCO combines violin, guitar, accordion, double bass, saz & balalaika to dazzling effect, creating an awesome aural alchemy normally only characteristic of far larger ensembles.

Two of the country’s celebrated international soloists revel at the heart of proceedings.Accordionist exemplar Eddie Hession is a supreme accordion champion of Great Britain. In his illustrious career he has accompanied Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Chris Rea. Christian Garrick is one of the world’s most celebrated jazz violinists. He has played music with Dame Cleo Laine & Sir John Dankworth,

Wynton Marsalis, Nigel Kennedy, Bireli Lagrene, Tim Minchin, Caro Emerald and John Etheridge. One of Russia's most enigmatic musical exports, The Sultan (sic Adrian Zolotuhin) is a master of the strummed strings of domra, balalaika, guitar and saz. Veteran bass-man Kelly Cantlon has been in the business of laying down the low notes for many-a-moon. Kelly first found fame in the as a Vagabond with Northern Soul

sensations Jimmy James and the Vagabonds.Evoking vivid images of Tzigane fiddle maestros, Budapest café life and gypsy campfires - plus a few surprises along the way - hugely entertaining, immense skill and profound musicianship, a show by the BCO is enough to make you want to book that holiday down the Danube! "Not so much a band name as a whole genre of its own, Budapest Café Orchestra embraces an encyclopaedia of music and mischief." SCOTSMAN ONLINE:

http://www.budapestcafeorchestra.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/budapestcafeorchestra

The Way of Willow : Basket Weaving Willow Workshop with Vivienne Turner

Join Vivienne Turner on this fabulous Basket Weaving Willow Workshop  at The Flavel on Monday 7 October 2024 from 10-5pm.

Experienced willow weaver, Vivienne, will guide you through every step to making your very own willow basket to take home, ideal for gathering veggies or flowers from the garden. The basket is worked on a frame and you will learn several different techniques during the course of the day.

The workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with more experience.

All materials and tools provided.

The cost of the workshop is £85 per person which includes complementary hot drinks throughout the day.

There will be a forty-minute break for lunch and The Flavel café will be open for pre ordering of lunch on the day.

Places are limited to 12, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Thirty-six years after the events of the first film, the Deetz family returns home to Winter River following Charles Deetz's unexpected death. Lydia's life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened, releasing Betelgeuse.

Join us for a delicious winter feast to celebrate the return of The Budapest Café Orchestra to The Flavel this Autumn.

The Flavel Bistro will be serving homemade Goulash with rice and sour cream, followed by apple and blackberry pie with clotted cream ice cream.

Spaces are limited so book your spot for a fabulous evening now!

Please book your tickets for the concert separately HERE : BUDAPEST CAFÉ ORCHESTRA

CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP: JOSIE BIRCH & BETHAN WELBY

A fun workshop with Josephine and Bethan - two very talented illustrators (particularly, but not exclusively for children), who live locally.

After a warm-up drawing activity, each child will pick ‘prompts’ from a jar: a character (eg frog), an item (eg burger) and an activity (eg skating), and will take this character on a journey.

The end result will be a small folded book, their creation, which they will be proud to take home! Josie and Bethan will also read some of their own stories. Some some of their illustrative artwork will be on display in The Flavel gallery during the Book Festival.

www.bethanwelbyillustration.com

www.josephinebirch.net

Please note: children must be accompanied by their parent/carers

Sat 21 Sep 10-11.15am

Dartmouth Library

Tickets £5 (suitable for children aged 5-8)

Clare Teal Duo

Friday 14 February 2025

7.30pm

Clare and Jason’s duo concerts are renowned for their musicality with Clare’s warm and witty storytelling guaranteeing the audience something personal and Jason’s piano playing providing the perfect accompaniment.

The duo will explore a rich, jazz infused repertoire with timeless classics penned by the legendary musical storytellers of the last 100 years and celebrate giants of the Great American and British Songbooks as well as the odd surprise.

The joyous set list draws from a rich catalogue including selections from Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Rodgers and Hart, Sting, Van Morrison and Ed Cobb and honours the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, Nancy Wilson, Frances Faye and Peggy Lee.

Clare Teal (Lead Vocals)

Jason Rebello (Piano & Vocal)

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: THE STORYTELLER’S JOURNEY

Keith Rossiter & Jonathan Posner

Join authors Jonathan Posner and Keith Rossiter on an adventure into the world of imagination in this interactive workshop.

Jonathan Posner is a full-time author and publisher based in Exeter. He has written and published six action adventure novels set in Tudor England. Jonathan gets a thrill from seeing his books in print and getting feedback from readers, which is why he is so keen to share what he has learned about the craft of writing with others.

Keith Rossiter is a former journalist turned full-time novelist. He has published one thriller turned full-time novelist. He has published one thriller set in Greece ‘The Chaos Game.’ He has recently completed a novel for young adults and another for middle-grade children. He is eager to share his steep learning curve with new and improving writers.

Fri 20 Sep 6-8pm

Flavel Studio

Tickets £15

Introducing Dartmouth Comedy Club - Where Laughter Takes Centre Stage!

Gelos Network is thrilled to announce the launch of Dartmouth Comedy Club at The Flavel Arts Centre. As the premier comedy club network across the Southwest, Gelos Network brings you top names from the comedy scene, as seen on Live at the Apollo, Taskmaster, 8 out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week, and more.

Join us for our inaugural show, featuring the phenomenal Hal Cruttenden as the headline act as well as performances by three additional TV name and top circuit comedians, ensuring an evening filled with uproarious laughter.

Don't miss out on this epic comedy extravaganza!

Saturday 2 November, 7.30pm

Tickets £20

DARTMOUTH’S HISTORY: DARTMOUTH HISTORY RESEARCH GROUP

Come along to this session if you are interested in our fascinating local history.

Members of the group will be available to talk about their work, and their locally published books will be available to buy.

Their most recent publication is: When War Came to the Dart, by Gail Ham and Hilary Sunman, which combines the memories of local people with official records and other contemporary accounts to chart the impact as the communities of the Dart were immersed in war.

Dartmouth History Research Group have published 40 books and booklets on the area’s history. Books have been written on local figures including Thomas Newcomen, John Davis, John Flavel and William Veale; and on local places including Hawley’s Fortalice, The Castle Hotel, Bayards Cove and Slapton Sands.

www.dartmouth-history.org.uk

Fri 20 Sep 4-5pm

Dartmouth Library

Free Event

DARTMOUTH’S WAR

Dr Jane Harrold, Dr Richard Porter, Dr Harry Bennett & Michael Pearce

interviewed by Jo Loosemore

The 6th of June, 1944, witnessed the D-Day landings by the Assault Forces of the Allied Nations over some 40 miles of the beaches of Normandy. From the narrow

foothold secured on that day sprang the pregnant series of events which culminated eleven months later in those forces meeting the Russians in the heart of Germany, and the abject surrender of the Third Reich and all for which it stood. Operation "Neptune," the name given to the assault phase of Operation "Overlord," the general plan for the liberation of north-west Europe was indeed appropriate —because without in any way detracting from the magnificent work of the sister services, the Navy was necessarily bound to play the major part in the opening stages of convoy and transport. It was, however, unique in two respects. These were: firstly, the proximity at the scene of operations of the United Kingdom with all its resources as a main base, which facilitated the maximum application of the Allied Sea and Air superiority and secondly, the gigantic scale on which the operation was conceived and launched.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Operation-Neptune-D-Day-Landings-Normandy/

Sat 21 Sep 12.15am-1pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £10

There will be a book signing in the library after the talk

Friday 18 October 4pm - 10pm

Saturday 19 October 11am - 10pm

Sunday 20 October 12pm – 4pm

So just when you thought all the fun of the summer was over! To prepare us for those looming dark nights, Dartmouth Rotary offers a ray of late sunshine. How? By organising another exciting Charity Beer Festival in our town in October. We know how much this event has become a ‘must attend’ occasion in the social calendar of Dartmouth; it’s fun, and it’s friendly.

Our aim is to have an exciting range of real ales and craft beers from many different local breweries. And we will have a range of Ciders that are always popular.

But this is this is not only about the beer, (well it is mostly!) so there will be a variety of live musical acts on stage and a superb selection of great food, wine and soft drinks available.

All proceeds go to local charities including a contribution to the Flavel, which is such an important asset for Dartmouth.

Lots of local parking available.

Tickets are available online or from The Flavel Box Office at Flavel Place, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9ND  
Phone enquiries: 01803 839530.

Tickets £10 and includes three drink tokens

Your ticket will need to be exchanged on arrival at The Flavel Box Office for a Rotary Beer Festival ticket

Additional tokens are available for purchase on the day

Please note tickets are NOT transferable

'Sometimes You Have to Be a Little Bit Naughty if You Want to Change Your Story!'

 

The streets of Dartmouth will be filled by the smell of rebellion when DARTMOUTH THEATRE COMPANY presents Roald Dahl’s 'Matilda The Musical Jr.' Telling the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. With music and lyrics written by Tim Minchin, this heart warming show is based on Roald Dahl's Tony-award winning hit musical, Matilda!

 

Dartmouth Theatre Company is a non-profit community group launched in April 2024. This production will be performed by the youth group, which is made up of children between the ages of 5 & 16, who live in Dartmouth and the surrounding area.

The children are very excited to be performing their first ever production here at The Flavel!

A fun and exciting weekly drama group aimed at developing theatre performance skills, building confidence, and making new friends through the Dramatic Arts.

This is a creative opportunity for young people to develop and explore their own voice. We focus on giving young people creative choice, a safe space for self-expression and exploration, building a community of collaboration and inclusivity. We can cover performance skills such as improvisation and devising, physical theatre, voice and characterisation, writing and script work.

Director and facilitator, Rachel Swain, is an award winning Youth Theatre Practitioner, with over 25 years teaching experience, Rachel writes original Youth Theatre productions to ensure all young people have their moment to shine. Her youth group ‘Dramatically Different Brixham’ has been the resident Youth Theatre in Brixham for over 10 years and ‘Dramatically Different Teignmouth’ has been a huge success since it was established in 2019.

If you would like more information or to ask questions about the Drama Workshops please email: info@theflavel.org.uk

The sessions cost £90 per term, which will normally include between 9 and 11 sessions depending on the actual term dates, but dates and term lengths can vary. The actual dates for Autumn Term 2024 are shown below.

A number of subsidised places will be available to Dartmouth Residents through our Bursary Scheme. Please email Lindsay Ellwood for details of the bursary scheme on: flaveldrama.bursaries@gmail.com (Supported by Dartmouth United Charities and Dartmouth Mayflower).

Suitable for ages 7 to 18 years

There are two weekly sessions on a Wednesday - please make sure you book into the correct session. The earlier group at 4pm will be for younger children and the later group at 5.15pm will be for the older age group, but we are very happy to vary this depending on what suits your individual child, so please contact us if you wish to discuss.

Session 1 ‘Juniors’  – 4pm to 5pm - Younger age group (typically age 7 to 9)

Session 2 ‘Transitions’ – 5.15pm to 6.15pm - Older age group (typically age 10+)

Wed 18 Sep

Wed 25 Sep

Wed 9 Oct

Wed 16 Oct

Wed 23 Oct

HALF TERM

Wed 13 Nov

Wed 20 Nov

Wed 27 Nov

Wed 4 Dec – Transitions Group Sharing (no Junior session this week)

Wed 11 Dec

Please note there will be no sessions on Wed 2 Oct and Wed 6 Nov for either group

EMPIRE JAVELIN: PHILIP KAY-BUJAK

Empire Javelin, an American built LSI (Landing Ship, Infantry) in Royal Navy service, played an important role on D-Day. She carried A Company 116th RCT (the famous ‘Bedford Boys’) across the Channel and her landing craft put them ashore on Dog Green sector as part of the initial assault or ‘suicide wave’, onto Omaha Beach. In telling her story, Philip Kay-Bujak does justice to the contribution of the Royal Navy at Omaha Beach, which has been underestimated in the past.

Philip Kay-Bujak is a former GSA Headmaster and Associate of The Royal Historical Society. He taught English European History for over twenty years and was a public school headmaster. He was and is a Koestler Literary Award winner. Other publications include articles on education and British history and books on local history, Scottish art and the Great War.

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Philip-Kay-Bujak/a/5868

Sat 21 Sep 10.45am - 11.30am

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £10

There will be a book signing in the Library after the talk

ENDGAME 1944: HOW STALIN WON THE WAR

JONATHAN DIMBLEBY

Interviewed by John Suchet

Jonathan Dimbleby discusses his latest book, the Sunday Times bestseller: ‘Endgame 1944: How Stalin Won the War’.

Jonathan has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in television, working for ITV and the BBC, and has written a number of highly acclaimed books.

In 1994 he wrote, presented and co-produced Charles, The Private Man, the Public Role and published his book, The Prince of Wales: A Biography. In 1997 the BBC screened The Last Governor, his series on the final five years of British rule in Hong Kong and he published a book of the same name. His documentaries about Ethiopia and Kosovo were shown by the ITV network in 1998 and 2000 respectively. More recently his five-part series Russia - A Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby was broadcast by BBC2 and his book, Russia - A Journey to the Heart of a Land and its People, was published to accompany the series.

Jonathan Dimbleby's previous books include the highly acclaimed Second World War Histories The Battle of the Atlantic and Destiny in the Desert: The Road to El Alamein, which was shortlisted for the Hessell-Tiltman Prize and was followed by his BBC2 programme Churchill's Desert War. His other books include, Russia: A Journey to the Heart of a Land and Its People, Richard Dimbleby: A Biography, The Palestinians, The Prince of Wales: A Biography and The Last Governor: Chris Patten and the Handover of Hong Kong.

 https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/120845/jonathan-dimbleby

Fri 20 Sep 8-9pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £18

There will be a book signing in the auditorium after the talk

Environmental Matters: Seasonal Changes

Anna Turns, Sally Vincent & Anna Koska interviewed by Jo Loosmore

Join environmental journalist and author, Anna Turns, illustrator and author, Anna Koska and local author, Sally Vincent, discussing the effects of climate change on the seasons, biodiversity loss and the problem of chemical pollution, with BBC journalist and producer, Jo Loosemore.

Fri 20 Sep 11am-12pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £10

There will be a book signing in the auditorium after the talk.

Anna Turns – Environmental journalist & author.

Since studying biology, Anna has worked in the media for more than two decades, from TV production to magazine journalism and radio broadcasting. As a freelance environmental journalist, she has written regularly for many national publications including The Guardian, BBC Future, New Scientist and Positive News. Her first book, Go Toxic Free: Easy and sustainable ways to reduce chemical pollution, was published in 2022. Her work focuses on solutions – progress, innovations and the changemakers pushing for a greener planet. Anna lives in Devon by the sea and is the senior environment editor for The Conversation, a website that brings academic research to a mainstream audience.  

https://theconversation.com/uk

Anna Koska – illustrator and author

Anna and her family moved from East Sussex to Devon in 2020 and she now finds inspiration for her artworks in the ebb and flow of the tide throughout the year, the flotsam and jetsam washed up on the shore and the creatures spotted in the air, on land and tucked away in rockpools. She has written and illustrated two beautiful books: ‘From Field & Forest: An Artist’s Year in Paint & Pen’ and ‘From Coast and Cove’, chronicling a year in the natural world captured in materials ranging from pencil, pen and ink, watercolour and egg tempera.

She is an enthusiastic supporter of the charity ‘Till the Coast is Clear’

Sally Vincent – author

When Sally Vincent left London for a quiet valley in Devon, she and husband Paul took on far more than a farmhouse renovation. Taken from her successful blog, Raining Sideways charts her rural adventures from townie to fully-fledged farmer, braving extreme weather, blight, sheep rearing and much more in between. Sally experiences first-hand the massive impact of the supermarkets, and highlights the deception of food production and food labelling in the UK. But as she faces the turbulence of the outside world, she turns to her garden for solace, finding light and happiness in nature, animals and her surroundings.

Jo Loosemore – interviewer

Radio maker. History finder. Theatre lover. Jo is a broadcaster, curator and actor. For the BBC, she has created radio dramas, documentaries and live programmes. This includes World War One at Home (in partnership with the Imperial War Museums) for network and local radio, regional tv and online. From Brazil to the Battlefield, the story of Exeter fighting footballers, was broadcast on BBC 5 Live. She also produced the Listening Project’s national tour for BBC Radio 4 and BBC local radio contributing the 1000th conversation to The British Library’s collection. She was an ARIAS nominee (Best Factual Series) in 2023, and is the creator of the podcast Red Earth about the 1943 evacuation of the South Hams. She curated Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy for The Box, Plymouth, and was co-curator of Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America (for national tour). She is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Plymouth.

English National Ballet’s Swan Lake in-the-round is coming to the big screen to celebrate the Company’s 75th Season, giving you the chance to experience the splendour of ballet on a grand scale. Derek Deane’s stunning in-the-round production has been enjoyed by over 500,000 people worldwide and offers an unmissable 360° view of one of the most popular ballets of all time. With 60 swans, exquisite choreography and Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, this film will take you to the very heart of this ‘truly awe-inspiring’ (★★★★ The Telegraph) classic.

 

Featuring Lead Principal Sangeun Lee as Odette/Odile and Principal Gareth Haw as Prince Siegfried, this production captures all the magic of the beloved ballet. From the breath-taking spectacle of shimmering swans moving in unison, to the captivating romance between Prince Siegfried and the Swan Queen Odette, this is cinema bursting with beauty, passion and betrayal.

 

Filmed live at the Royal Albert Hall, this special cinema event includes never-seen-before overhead angles, giving you an aerial view of the genius choreography. Combining exceptional artistry, gorgeous spectacle and compelling drama, Swan Lake in-the-round is a cinematic masterpiece that will enthral and delight.

Thursday 31 October, 7pm

There will be two intervals

Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers

This film is a chance to reexamine and better understand this iconic artist. Focusing on his unique creative process, Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers explores the artist’s years in the south of France, where he revolutionised his style. Van Gogh became consumed with a passion for storytelling in his art, turning the world around him into vibrant, idealised spaces and symbolic characters.

Poets and lovers filled his imagination; everything he did in the south of France served this new obsession. In part, this is what caused his notorious breakdown, but it didn’t hold back his creativity as he created masterpiece after masterpiece. Explore one of art history’s most pivotal periods in this once-in-a-century show.

200 years after its opening and a century after acquiring its first Van Gogh works, the National Gallery, London is hosting the UK’s biggest ever Van Gogh exhibition. Van Gogh is not only one of the most beloved artists of all time, but perhaps the most misunderstood.

Made in close collaboration with the National Gallery.

Directed by David Bickerstaff – Produced by Phil Grabsky

Ever wanted to try Flamenco dance? Now’s your chance.

The workshop is a two hour Lola Flamenco dance session with professional dancers from Andalucia and their guitarist who will accompany. A Spanish translator will be making it all clear in fluent English.

No previous dance experience is necessary and please wear comfortable clothing and dance shoes if you have them.

This will be the perfect way to appreciate a spectacular art form; before seeing the real thing at the evening show, you can have a go yourself in the morning workshop.

Saturday 28 September, 10am-12pm
Tickets £15

Lola Flamenco will also be giving a performance on Saturday 28 Septermber at 7.30pm. Tickets must be booked separately and are available HERE

Flavel Christmas Fair 

Saturday 14 December

11am to 4pm

Is it too soon to talk about Christmas?

Our Christmas Fair returns on Saturday 14 December, from 11am to 4pm, when the main auditorium will be filled to the brim with quality craft and produce stalls.

A perfect time to top up your Christmas shopping or buy wonderful gifts for yourself. The building will be buzzing with festive fun, and it goes without saying that there will be a bumper tombola and a raffle plus lots of other fun activities.

If you are interested in having a stall at the fair, please contact Alison on alison@theflavel.org.uk

BANTER

Described as ‘The future of Folk’, Banter take English traditional music to the next level with

their iconic interpretations of classic songs and dance tunes. Touring material from their

brand new studio album ‘Heroes’, alongside some of their old favourites.

“... wonderfully, powerfully dynamic. They really rock wherever they go.” - Mike Harding

“...full of Invention.” - R&R Magazine 4* review

“... really atmospheric and exquisitely done.” - Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2, The Folk Show)

“...Folk from a parallel reality... Banter stands up proud and makes you want to shout

'Brilliant!'." - Nigel Schofield (Tykes’ Stirrings Magazine)

“... Nina Zella...Easily comparable to Christine McVie” - Northern Sky

“...If you think there’s nothing new to hear in folk music these days, listen to Banter and

think again.” - Folking.com

Find out more at www.banter.band

2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D Day and, following the extracts shown at the Exercise Tiger weekend, we are offering another chance to watch Ian Phillip’s compelling film ‘Evacuation’ in full.

It tells the story of the around 3000 residents of Slapton & the surrounding villages who had to evacuate their homes for the American troops involved in Exercise Tiger, the ill-fated Allied rehearsal for the D-Day landings. The film contains fascinating footage of archive film and interviews with people who were children at the time. They had to evacuate their homes with six weeks’ notice, leaving before Christmas and taking all their possessions and livestock with them

A complimentary glass of wine will be served after the screening with the opportunity to speak to others about the film and its significance.

Friday 22 November, 5.30pm

Tickets £14 (to include a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink after the screening)

100 YEARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN (Part 2)

Flavel Favourite, Donna Marie Broomfield (soprano) now takes a nostalgic trip through the second half of 100 years of Stage & Screen, from musicals such as West Side Story (1959), Fiddler on the Roof (1964) through to Evita, Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and many more.

The concert starts at 5.30pm and is followed at 6.30pm by a glass of wine or soft drink in the bar (included in your ticket) and a chance to chat to friends and to Donna. A great way to start the weekend.

Friday 27 September, 5.30pm

Tickets £14 (to include a complimentary glass of wine after the performance)

Girl From The North Country

Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony Award-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From The North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including “Forever

Young,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Hurricane,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.”

It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travellers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life and hope. Experience this “profoundly beautiful” Broadway production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.

HELENA CLEWS : LIFE DRAWING CLASSES

(max 30 participants)

£115 for block of 5 classes to include complimentary hot drinks and biscuits

Wed 18 Sep

Wed 25 Sep

Wed 2 Oct

Wed 9 Oct

Wed 16 Oct

10am-12.30pm

Book your place and join in on the hugely successful life drawing workshops at the Flavel. It's a wonderful opportunity to draw alongside Helena and practice one of the fundamental skills of art.

The workshops are for all abilities. Helena will be available to provide individual feedback and help as necessary. The sessions are divided into the first part of short poses, ranging from 1 - 20 minute poses, a short break and then one long pose for around 55 minutes.

Information on what you need:

Please bring materials that you would like to draw with; ideally some charcoal (compressed and willow), coloured soft pastels, soft pencil (2B or softer) and a rubber. If you have your own paper/sketchbook then please bring that too.

Drawing boards will be provided and sheets of A2 cartridge paper is available to buy in cash on the day - 4 sheets for £1. There will also be some basic materials available on the day in exchange for a cash donation.

Helena will look forward to seeing you in September.

Helena Clews ‘Playful Art’ (max 15 participants)

£165 for block of 5 classes to include complimentary hot drinks and biscuits

Wed 6 Nov

Wed 13 Nov

Wed 20 Nov

Wed 27 Nov

Wed 4 Dec

10am-12.30pm