We were lucky to watch the hundreds of minis drive into Ilfracombe this afternoon on the North Devon Mini Grand Tour 2009 in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. Here are just a few of the cars . . .

Great fun . . . hope to see them all again next year!

Once again, Ilfracombe in North Devon will be offering audiences in search of special entertainment something fresh and new for Christmas when Small Pond Production’s original cast from their 2007 UK amateur stage premiere re-assemble for a new stage version of the Vicar of Dibley on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th December 2009 at the Landmark Theatre.

Based on three different episodes of the popular BBC TV series written by Richard Curtis & Paul Mayhew Archer,  and presented by special arrangement with the writers and Tiger Aspect Productions, the stage show features Debbie Hadley as the Vicar supported by Pamela Beecham, Mike Bennett, Laurence Butler, Tony Scarratt, Ted Turner, Elena Wright and Robert Zarywacz and is directed by Lee Baxendale.

Book tickets for performances on the Landmark web site:

• Friday 18th December 2009 8.00 pm evening- Tickets £10; family ticket £36
• Saturday 19th December 2009 3.00 pm matinée- Tickets £85.0
• Saturday 19th December 2009 8.00 pm evening – Tickets £10; family ticket £36

Buy 10 tickets, get 1 free
Only available for evening performances by calling the box office (not online).

or call the box office on 01271 324242.

For more details and cast photos, visit the Small Pond Productions Vicar of Dibley web site at dibleyonstage.co.uk.

While Ilfracombe may give the impression that nothing much happens over winter, in reality there’s a lot going on, especially preparation for the year ahead.

This weekend the Landmark Beer Festival is in full swing and on Monday 4th May, the Jack-in-the-Green celebration takes place with children dancing round the Maypole, morris dancing, music and, of course, Jack-in-the-Green himself welcoming summer.

In addition, Ilfracombe Victorian Celebration launches its 24-page colour 2009 programme packed with over 50 Victorian-themed events from 6th to 14th June 2009. Committee members in Victorian dress will be distributing copies and they will also be available through local outlets in the run-up to and during the week-long celebration.

You can download a PDF version of the programme (2.8 Mb) or view details of all events on the online events diary at the Ilfracombe Victorian Celebration web site.