A major new exhibition: Titanic Stories

NEW at the National Maritime Museum, Cornwall is an exhibition, Titanic Stories, which will examine the stories of the Titanic’s momentous sinking on 15 April 1912, re-appraising many of the myths, controversies and assumptions that still linger around one of the most well-known historic events of the 20th century.

Working in collaboration with private collectors from overseas and national museums in the UK, ‘Titanic Stories’ presents rare and never-seen-before objects and items, as well as retelling the personal stories of many of the survivors, victims and descendants of the #Titanic disaster, including those from #Cornwall. The exhibition will offer new contextual information around the iconic sinking and what happened next.

Alongside documentary and personal photographs, letters, newspaper cuttings, compelling items such as a handkerchief waved from a lifeboat and a First-Class passenger list found in the pocket of a victim, will intimately bring this historic voyage back to life.

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Picture Credit: By Boris Lux - Lux's Type Collection, Ocean liners - Titanic, commons.wikimedia.org

The Royal Wedding: Inspiring Americans to visit Great Britain

BIG BEN, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the River Thames have all lured Americans to Great Britain through the years, but now there's a renewed interest as England's Prince Harry is set to wed American actress Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018. According to a quick poll of travel agents in Travel Leaders Network – one of America's largest retail travel agency organizations – some are seeing an increase in clients wanting to travel to Great Britain as a result of the Royal wedding.

The #royalwedding is expected to be one of the largest events for #Windsor Castle and thousands are planning to flock to the area hoping to get a glimpse of the lovebirds as they travel in procession after their wedding ceremony. Whether you're traveling to #GreatBritain this spring or later in the year, here are some things to see and do while you're there.

Ride in Royal Footsteps - Horse-drawn tours are available to the public from Windsor Castle, with private guided tours on the Long Walk.

Art and Architecture in Windsor - Windsor Castle, about 45 minutes from London by train, has been home to 39 monarchs.

Buckingham Palace - The queen's official London residence, is open for tours from July 21 to Sept. 30. 

Diana's Fashion Sense - The memory of Prince Harry's mother, Princess Diana, lives on around Kensington Palace, home to many of today's British royals. On display here is "Diana: Her Fashion Story," featuring outfits worn by the late Princess of Wales. 

Warwick Castle - A medieval fortress built in 1068 and located on the River Avon, is about 90 minutes from London by train. Take an intriguing tour of the medieval vaults and climb to the top of the castle's towers and ramparts.

Southwest England - A visit to Southwest England is gorgeous, even from a train window, but it is not complete without a stop at Tintagel Castle's legendary ruins.

Trooping the Colour - The annual parade, which for nearly 300 years has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign, will be June 9th this year.

Feast Like a King -  A train ride would allow one to stop for mouth-watering experiences in many different cities, from avant-garde haute cuisine to renowned ethnic and regional dishes.

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On the runway . . .

BRISTOL Airport gains Autism Friendly Award after joint project with OCS Group to improve assistance for passengers with hidden disabilities.  Bristol Airport has been named an Autism Friendly airport by the National Autistic Society following work with OCS Group to ensure the airport offers a friendly environment for autistic passengers along with support services that target the accessibility needs of the passengers and their families.

The Autism Friendly Award recognises the success of Bristol Airport and OCS Group in providing assistance that improves the experience at the airport for autistic passengers, their families and caregivers. Bristol Airport and OCS Group have worked together to ensure clear information is available about the airport, how to plan their journey and how to access assistance at the terminal.

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The Great Cornish Food Festival, not to be missed!

STREET-FOOD style pop-ups from a selection of Cornwall’s top restaurants and exciting newcomers will be serving a taster of their restaurant’s mouth-watering signature dishes at this years Great Cornish Food Festival on Truro's Lemon Quay. Cornwall’s array of artisan producers will deliver a bounty of the best food and beverages from around the county: bakers, butchers, breweries, cider makers, chocolatiers and cheese-makers will all be sampling and selling their wares.

Meanwhile, top chefs will entertain, inspire and share their secrets in the Chefs’ Theatre and Croust Bar Masterclass Theatre. Playing host to the county’s highest profile chefs and foodie personalities, illustrating the diversity of culinary expertise in the county and perfectly demonstrates just why Cornwall deserves its reputation as one of the greatest places to eat in the country, if not the world.

September 22-24 with Free Entry

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Picture Credit: KathrynW1 Pasty photopin

Oggy Oscars . . .

THE sixth annual celebration of Cornwall's most famous dish; the pasty takes place at The Eden Project on March 4. The championships feature varieties from #Cornwall as well as from around the world.

Four pasty specialists – two each from the United States and Canada – will be competing to be named the world’s top pasty maker at the annual event also known as the Oscars of the Oggy.

In 2011, after a long campaign, the #CornishPasty Association won European Union Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the Cornish Pasty which means that only pasty makers based in Cornwall who make pasties in a traditional manner and follow a traditional recipe are able to label their products as Cornish.

For all World Pasty Championships rules and entry details go to: 

www.edenproject.com/pasty

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On the runway . . .

RYANAIR, Europe's No.1 airline, today (9 Feb) launched a new winter route from Bristol to Cologne, with a four times weekly service, as part of its Bristol winter 2017 schedule, which will be launched soon.

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Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival

BRISTOL Jazz & Blues Festival returns from Thursday March 16 to Sunday March 19 with an incredible line-up of over 50 events across three venues. 

One of this years highlights is Macy Gray and Saturday night looks to be a spectacular night with iconic movie themes from the 60's and 70's featuring the Army of Generals string orchestra and a 21-piece jazz orchestra.

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Win with #visitbristol

VISIT Bristol is running a Christmas competition to win an overnight stay with Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel, £250 Cabot Circus shopping vouchers, dinner at The Glassboat restaurant and tickets to At-Bristol's Ice Rink and Brunel's ss Great Britain.

Enter here http://visitbristol.co.uk/competition

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Picture Credit: ClaraDon flickrphotos/7267297@N05/23502862682 Merry Christmas via photopin

Best in Devon 2016

WINNERS in the 2016 Food & Drink Devon awards programme included Chunk of Devon, Ottery St Mary: Pork, Apple and Scrumpy Sausage Roll, Pork & Chorizo Sausage Roll, Steak & Ale Pie, Steak Pasty, Steak & Blue Pasty, Squealer Pork Pie (Gold award winner) and the The Well Hung Meat Company, Buckfastleigh (Best Producer).

Other winners were:

Me & Mrs Jones, Torquay – Best Café

The Lamb Inn, Sandford – Best Pub

Goierri Foods, Chudleigh – Best Street Food / Takeaway

The Cove Café Bar, Hope Cove – Best Bistro (Winner in 2015)

Old Vienna, Torquay– Best Fine Dining Restaurant      

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Picture Credit: Jayembee69 flickr.com/photos/93448689@N02/8647921775 Hope Cove via photopin.com

4 things to do on Exmoor with kids this summer

'Bogtastic' – The South West's biggest and best bog festival (July 26) – The free drop- in event will feature the Bogstacle course, stream dipping, live bats, and the opportunity to visit one of the South West's last remaining operational water powered sawmills. The UK has 20% of the world's blanket bog and Exmoor National Park has some of the finest and unique examples of bogs in the UK. The Bogtastic festival is an opportunity to learn more about this special landscape and Exmoor's wildlife. www.visit-exmoor.co.uk

Family Ranger Days at the National Trust's Arlington Court – July and August – National Trust Ranger Days at Exmoor's Arlington Court gives families a chance to get outdoors, get a bit mucky and pick up some new skills. Join National Trust rangers for a day in the great outdoors, learn about the work they do, and try your hand at shelter building, cooking on a fire, tracking animals, and hunting for bugs. www.visit-exmoor.co.uk

Exmoor Pony Centre – July 24 –The centre is in the heart of Exmoor National Park and provides a permanent base for Exmoor foals when they arrive straight off the moor. www.exmoorponycentre.org.uk 

Wimbleball Lake – July and August – The lake has a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities. Water sports include kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing. www.outdoorandactive.uk.com

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It’s Devon Restaurant Month!

DEVON RESTAURANTEURS come together to celebrate the county's food and drink with Devon Restaurant Month throughout June. With special seasonal menus, offers, and chef demonstrations, the promotion aims to put the county more firmly on the map for food tourism in the South-West and beyond.

To mark its fifth anniversary, there’s a competition for customers to enter; the winner and their guest can attend any Devon Restaurant Month event of their choice.

Venues already involved in Devon Restaurant Month include The Orangery Restaurant in Exeter, Ottery St Mary's Rusty Pig, the Buckland Tout-Saints Hotel near Kingsbridge, and The Greedy Goose on the Barbican in Plymouth.

For full details, go to www.devonrestaurantmonth.co.uk.

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Gather the clan in Dorset

SLEEPING 14 and dog-friendly, The Gate House at Wimborne Minster, #Dorset, could be the place for large family or group self-catering holidays. 

Available through West Country Cottages, it has seven bedrooms, parking for four cars, a large garden, and a games barn.

The Georgian country house is an easy walk from the town centre, Bournemouth and Poole are a 30-minute away, and the New Forest is on the doorstep.

Prices: From £2,015 a week, or £1,082 for a three night break

www.westcountrycottages.co.uk

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Picture Credit: www.westcountrycottages.co.uk

Picture Perfect

AN IMAGE of the cliffs at #BurtonBradstock in Dorset taken by a local #photographer has beaten hundreds of entrants to scoop the South West Coast Path's annual photographic #competition. 

The photograph shows the coastal landscape at twilight and was taken by Ian Alcock, who describes how he captured the image: ‘This was taken nearly 15 minutes after the sun had set below the horizon and the remaining clouds reflect the pink tones left from the suns afterglow.

‘I am passionate about the Dorset coast. I grew up in Weymouth, so I know Portland and the area quite well.’

Mr Alcock’s prize package includes a two-night stay at the Thurlestone Hotel in South Devon, and £100 worth of camera equipment.

His picture will feature alongside 11 others pictures in the official 2017 South West Coast Path calendar.

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Picture Credit: Ian Alcock

Devon get-aways

NEW from the West Country self-catering agency Helpful Holidays are 

Groom's Cottage, Gardener's Cottage, The Hayloft, and Barley House … converted barns in the grounds of former rectory, Grade II listed Talaton House in a small East Devon village five miles from Honiton and nine miles from the Jurassic Coast at Sidmouth.

The cottages have views over acres of Georgian parkland, lawns, and a woodland walk.

Helpful Holidays has rated each cottage at five star standard.

Prices range from £414 (£138 pp for an autumn week at Groom's Cottage) to £1,333 (£223 pp for a summer week at Barley House).

www.helpfulholidays.com

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Mary Berry to open Salcombe Crabfest

#MARYBERRY will open the #Salcombe #Crabfest in South Devon on May 1.

Her fans will have the chance to become CrabFest Patrons and join a Q&A session at which Ms Berry will talk about her life.

The festival will feature:

· A demo kitchen and programme of talks by chefs and food writers

· Hotels and restaurants serving menu dishes using the best seafood and shellfish caught off the South Devon coast

· Local food to buy from local producers

· Demos on how to make crab pots

· A heritage crabber boat and modern day crabber at the town's Normandy Quay for people to explore

· Live music

· Activities for children, courtesy of Coast & Country Cottages

Run by the Rotary Club of Salcombe, all funds raised by will be donated to local charities.

www.salcombecrabfest.co.uk.

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Picture Credit: Copyright www.devonscenes.co.uk.jpg

Falmouth named best place to live in the south-west

#FALMOUTH, #Cornwall, has topped Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live list. Fifteen south-west locations have been named, with Falmouth being named as the best in the region.

The locations were selected for offering the best quality of life to the widest number of people, combining desirable features such as a positive community spirit, engaging festivals, good local shops and services, and attractive outdoor spaces.

The annual lists also take in to account data about house prices, crime rates, and school performance.

Commenting on the recognition, Richard Wilcox, Falmouth BID manager, and Richard Gates, Falmouth town manager who oversees Falmouth’s Town Team said: ‘This is tremendous news as The Best Places to Live listings are not only highly regarded but comprehensively researched. And it’s a real testament to the special community that we have here, one that fosters a real pride of place.

‘As a Town Team, we’re very fortunate to work not only in an extremely beautiful location but also within a pro-active environment where so many individuals and organizations are willing to pull together, volunteer to support events, and engage in town improvement schemes. Add into that mix a wonderful coastline, a diverse and eclectic business sector, award-winning beaches, parks and gardens, and it makes for Falmouth being a very special town to live in or indeed visit.’

Dave Yelland 0f the Falmouth Bay Residents Association said: ‘Falmouth is a cosmopolitan little town which uniquely combines beautiful visitor attractions with modern marine industries, two thriving universities, an enviable maritime heritage, and a year-round programme of festivals and cultural activities. All this contributes to an active community and can-do spirit making Falmouth the place where everyone wants to be and no-one wants to leave.’

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Picture Credit: Falmouth Marina, Panorama, NIKON D3100. DSC_0130-0132.</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

See before you rent

TOAD HALL COTTAGES is introducing 3D virtual tours for holidaymakers searching for their perfect rental self-catering.
With a smartphone, tablet, or PC, the tours give: 

• Interactive floorplans 
• A 'dolls house' view of the property in full 3D so that viewers can see how the space works on each floor, and how the property is laid out from top to bottom 
• An walk-through of every room 

James Norton, marketing manager at Toad Hall Cottages says: ‘We are all naturally drawn to beautiful visuals, and then we read into the details before booking a holiday. However, it's really hard to visualize space and lay-out from photographs and descriptions alone, so we have introduced the immersion 360 tours so you can see the entire property laid out in one simple, easy to navigate visual.’

The agency has more than 500 self-catering cottages across the south west of England.

www.toadhallcottages.co.uk

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£1 ticket offer launches Plymouth-Bristol bus route

BUS company Stagecoach South West has launched Falcon, the first dedicated 24/7 coach service connecting major locations across the region.

Claimed as a cost-effective alternative to the train, the Falcon service will operate 19 journeys a day, seven days a week, between Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton, Bristol Airport, and Bristol city centre, both day and night.

To mark the launch, single and return journeys will initially cost £1 until February 27. From the end of February, normal fares will apply, which include £5 return journeys anywhere along the route for under 25’s and OAP’s and adult returns from £7.50.

Bob Dennison, managing director of Stagecoach South West, said: ‘Falcon is a bold step in making it easier for people to travel across the region. It’s a ’round the clock’ service between the main towns and cities across the South West, plus Bristol Airport.

‘I am confident this 24/7 connection will prove extremely popular with commuters, university students, shoppers, day trippers and, of course, holidaymakers flying from Bristol.’

Tickets, including weekly season tickets, can be bought in cash direct from the driver. A select number of tickets will also be available to pre-book via www.megabus.com.

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South Devon's top-ten romantic escapes for two

RESEARCH has revealed that South #Devon is among the nation's most romantic destination for lovers, with more than one in three citing its romantic appeal as their top reason for visiting and staying in the area.

The survey, conducted by Visit South Devon, asked more than 700 regular visitors what they most strongly associated South Devon with. The resounding response was romance, followed by recuperation retreats, foodie breaks, and beach escapes.

Sarah Stride, acting general manager for Visit South Devon comments: ‘South Devon is undoubtedly a beguilingly beautiful destination with many breathtaking beaches, bays, hidden coves, charming villages, wild walks, romantic restaurants, remote boltholes, and enchanting hotels.  You only have to take a walk along the coast to become swept up in the #romance of the location. 

‘However, not everyone has had the chance to be seduced by all that South Devon has to offer, so we've put together our top ten places for romantics to revel in, just in time for the #Valentine's weekend.’

1. Take a walk along Bigbury Beach, indulge in fresh seafood, then cross to Burgh Island to explore this iconic South Devon landmark.  Book a local cottage overlooking the island for an unforgettable escape from it all.

2. Take a walk through the Smugglers Tunnel at Shaldon and discover the dramatic beach on the other side. 

3. Take a trip to Noss Mayo and delight in the raw beauty of the peninsular and its isolated sandy beach.

4. Treat yourself and your beau to a spot of luxury in delightful Dartmouth.

5. Stargaze at Slapton Sands and Blackpool Sands in the stunning South Hams, both of which have dramatic dark skies.  Catch a shooting star, spot Start Point Lighthouse in the distance and listen to the waves as they wash up on the shore. 

6. On a bicycle ride for two, explore the scenery along the Exe Estuary trail, taking in Starcross and Dawlish Warren. Stop off at Powderham Castle Food Hall for a warming drink and a slice of something nice.

7. Get all steamy on the South Devon railway with a return trip for two from Totnes to Buckfastleigh. 

8. Choose a section of the South West Coast Path to explore and don't forget to pack a bottle of sparkling Sharpham wine, one of South Devon's finest.  

9. Head to Dartmoor, climb Hay Tor and spot wild ponies. 

10. Promenade your partner on Teignmouth Grand Pier and then take a trip to Teignmouth River Beach.  Cross the river Teign on the oldest ferry in the country and enjoy views of Dartmoor and trawlers as they return with their daily catch. 

www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk 

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57557325@N00/3373412547">Back Beach, Teignmouth</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/80140240@N04/15441203785">Palms Torquay</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Pirate alert …

PIRATE’S QUEST NEWQUAY has a new storyline for 2016. Visitors will be taken back 1706, the dawn of the Republic of Pirates. The hour-long “interactive experience” will be open for half term previews (February 13-21). 

The Pirate’s Quest is an hour-long walk-through experience enabling visitors to feel, hear, smell, and see #Cornwall's legends and history.

Admission: £9.95 adult, £8.95 senior/student, £6.95 children (3-16), under 3s free. No access for wheelchairs or push-chairs.

piratesquest.co.uk

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Picture Credit: www.piratesquest.co.uk