A lot can happen in a week. Here are just fives things that point to the deeper world of what’s happening in Devon. Open your eyes, ears and minds
[Read more…] about 5 stories from Devon this weekMusic, music, music | 5 things from Devon this week
1. Music
Humankindweed / Fowl
Released to commemorate the first of the lockdowns, Humankindweed by Fowl is an album that plays and weaves words and stories. There are kinda modern-day fairytales filled with adult concerns, like weeding, decorating and lunar geese.
2. Music
Without Lights / Abrasive Trees
Who knew experimental post-punk could be so enveloping? The Without Lights EP from Abrasive Trees creates another of their aural soundscapes. With each new tune, they mould a mental geography.
Read the review on ArtsCulture
3. Music
The Beacon / Harbottle & Jonas
Now acting as a trio, Harbottle and Jonas capture the warmth and pull of home, family and friendship, and well as the wide-eyed wonder at the world in a folk album which pulls on the past to project into the future.
4. Politics
Rail gimmick
Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall is famed for spreading fake news. And now the Conservative is pushing the idea of re-opening a railway line, which critics say would cost millions, has no business case and would close the incredibly popular Dartmouth Steam Line.
5. Sport
Ollie Watkins
The Newton Abbot-born former Exeter City player made his England debut and scored. The now Aston Villa striker came on during England’s World Cup 2022 qualifier against San Marino. Ollie is the first Exeter City graduate to play for England since Cliff Bastin in 1938, according to Devon Live.
Ollie said: “It’s been a good journey. I just feel honoured that I can come out here and pull on the shirt and get the chance to play with the players I’m playing with and even score on my debut. I couldn’t write it, I’m over the moon.”
top image: Photo by Aphiwat chuangchoem from Pexels
Electric planes and razor-sharp raps | 5 from Devon
1. Theatre
Northcott delves into its archive
Posters, programmes, board minutes, photographs and much more from the Exeter Northcott’s archive will be explored to engage in now and look to the future. Dating from 1967 the theatre’s info will convey a range of perspectives of the theatre’s story so far. There will be a number of events and talks inspired by the archive.
2. Transport
Electric planes from Exeter
If all goes to plan, electric planes will be taking off from Exeter to Newquay in the not-too-distance silver-tinged future. A consortium of organisations, including the Heart of the South West LEP, have bid for some money to develop the hybrid flying machine, according to Devon Live.
2. Film
La Volpe
The short film La Volpe by Plymouth Collage of Art student Yergalem Carimini has been selected for the National Association for Higher Education in Moving Image (NAHEMI) 2020 programme. The film is inspired by tragic events linked to the Taiwanese electrical company Foxconn. It is set in a dystopian future where you live and work in the same space.
4. Music
Haunted House Party
The Scribes know how to get a joint jumping… and more. And with their razor-sharp raps and jumping beats, their new tune Haunted House Party certainly does that, while reminding us all of when live music was performed in front of an audience. Check out the Listen With Monger review, or pop over to the PRSD.
5. Easter
Old egg
If your Easter Eggs hardly make it to the bank-holiday Monday, you might be interested in the curate’s egg that Torquay’s Bygones has acquired as an attraction. The Bygoners have got their mitts on what’s claimed to be the World’s Oldest Uneaten Easter Egg. Dating for 1924, the egg was valued at between £200-£300, says Devon Live. The Torquay venue bagged it for a cool £1,040, which warrants its own cabinet, apparently.
top image: Photo by Iryna Mykhaylova on Unsplash
Culture, culture, culture | 5 things in Devon this week
1. Culture
Strategy
The culture week has seen Plymouth launch it’s culture plan, a crowdfunder for a community space in Exeter pass it’s total… meanwhile over in Teignbridge when they hear the word culture they knock down a wall.
Plans in Newton Abbot seem to be going ahead despite some opposition to get rid of the town’s Alexandra cinema in favour of a new multi-plex. The council says they have to do it, to be ‘transformational’ and get their mitts on some government high street funds. And it signals the end of a campaign that started nearly 10 years ago for the politicos, as opposed to the public, to get rid of the cinema for their latest development bauble. (since then the administration has changed say it does make you wonder a) what’s the point in voting and b) who is pulling the strings.
2. Film
Shuttlecock
Exeter film Shuttlecock is on BBC 2 as part of its Festival of Funny. The film has picked up plenty of prizes, and being one supported by the Exeter Phoenix, it managed to pick up its first award at its Two Short Nights premiere. Catch the film on iPlayer. Here’s a review and an interview with director Tommy Gillard.
3. Music
Splinter
Totnes-based duo Long For The Coast have released their new single Splinter. “From the first breath to the depth of the first harmony it feels like you’re already Magellaned an emotional globe. And if you can do that in 20 seconds, where else will they take you?” Read the review.
4. Politics
Progressive pact
Exeter Lib Dems and Greens have joined forces to be a progressive pact against the ruling Labour Part on the City Council. Leader of the Progressive Group, Liberal Democrat councillor Kevin Mitchell, said: “The Progressive Group has demonstrated it is the real opposition to the dominant Labour group on the Council. Here’s more
5. Politics
More Boris lies
Plymouth MP Luke Pollard is restrained when he highlights the latest round of ‘fibs’ from the leader of the Conservative Party – and would UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. Follow Luke Pollard on Twitter.
Exeter part of M&S Exeter Kickstart for young people
M&S Exeter is taking applications for a newly launched work placement programme to enable young people, aged 16-24, to gain valuable experience to help them onto the career ladder. With the Kickstart programme, M&S has created 360 work placements across the breadth of the country.
[Read more…] about Exeter part of M&S Exeter Kickstart for young people