The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Totnes Events

If you're one of the lucky people who have 4 days off for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend and haven't already made plans then here are a few things going on in Totnes to celebrate this special occasion.

Saturday June 2nd 2012

Street party at Totnes Conservative Club, Station Road 2pm

Picnic in the Park, Longmarsh - Festival event 1.00pm-6.00pm. Fairground rides, dancing, music, bbq, stalls Adults £2.00 Children free (under 16).

Sunday June 3rd 2012

Screening of the Royal Flotilla in London - In the Ballroom, at the Royal seven stars Hotel 2.00-4.00pm. Jubilee afternoon tea.

Monday 4th June 2012

Celebrations at Dartington Village, starting at 1:15pm. Fancy Dress Competition, decorated bike competition. Children’s races, skittles, hot and cold refreshment, various stalls and other attractions.

These events are being led by Totnes Elizabethan Museum (Fore Street) and there will be special exhibitions commemorating the occasion in the Museum itself.

Don't forget the Biggest Kid in Your Life on Fathers Day June 17th

If your stuck for inspiration this fathers day pop in and have a look around. It is always the Dad's that find something they remember from there childhoods in our shop and buy it on the pretence that it's for there son or daughter. When they come in their eyes like up like little boys as memories of mucking around come flooding back. The top two products that they have to buy when they see them are the spud gun and the rubber band aeroplane.

We have lots of new products that have just arrived in stock this week that would be great for Dad. If your Dad is anything like mine then Bottom Trumps would be a great card game to buy him. Each card has a disgusting fart on it with different power ratings and is played like a game of top trumps. We also do a geek version.

Amongst our new products are brainteaser puzzles. I know some dads love a challenge and this would be the perfect way to keep them entertained on fathers day. We have wooden ones, metal ones and the classic Houdini's Cage. We have something that would amuse any type of dad from desktop toys to blow football.

Below is my Fathers Day window display, it looks a bit retro but then so are the Dads its aimed at. Adam spent the best part of a morning constructing the oil tanker out of 1 and 2p's using our coin construction kit. Its a great way of utilising all that small change around the house, you could start a tower and literally watch your money grow as you add to it over time.

As you can see from my window we have something for every budget ranging from a £1.99 pac man keyring to a £39.99 Tin Robot. Watch this space though as coming in this week is an RC Monster Truck that Dads will love.

Looe's Jubilee Weekend of Events

In just under a couple of weeks time we will all be celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and I expect every city, town and village will have something special lined up. The May bank holiday has also been moved to coincide with this event and I hope it is enjoyed by all.

As usual Looe will be holding a series of events over the weekend and if the weather is kind then it is sure to be well supported and the streets and beach will be bustling.

Saturday 2nd..A sports day on Looe beach for everyone from 11am to 4pm. 

Sunday 3rd.. Charity Coast to Coast cycle ride from Looe to Barnstaple ( phew! ) starting on the seafront at 9.30am. Crowning of the Carnival Queen at 1pm. There will be a Grand Flotilla of small boats which are going from the Bridge out to sea and back. In the evening the Looe Valley Singers will be holding another one of their popular concerts at the RNLI Boathouse.

Monday 4th..A Children's Tea Party will be held between 1pm and 3pm in the Rose Garden.
The Grand Lighting of the Looe Beacon on the Wooldown at 10pm with celebrations starting at 6pm.

Tuesday 5th..Beach games and rock pooling on the beach between 11am and 1pm.
Dancing with Sheila's School of Dancing on the seafront from 2pm to 4pm.

As well as these things listed there will be other activites and events held each day around the town and hopefully it will be week to remember whatever you do.

We Don't Want Every High Street To Be The Same

Supporting your local independent businesses is more important than ever and if you have a favourite shop, restaurant or cafe on your high street make a special effort to go there and support them.

There are a lot of changes happening on the high street and I think we should try and keep as many independents as possible so that every high street doesn't look the same. It's not all about price, don't we want something a bit different? I have a lot of customers saying they had been to Toys R Us or The Early Learning Center and just not known what the child they are buying for already has.

I have watched the Mary Portas programs and the ethos behind them is usually a good one. Buy Local!! I remember her saying "The French buy French, The Germans buy German and the English buy anything".


Our two shops are based in Totnes and Looe. These two towns are very lucky that they don't have loads of boarded up windows and what do they have in common - Independents!! I love shopping in both these places because I know I can get a gift for someone that will be unique and special.

If you want something different with a helpful friendly service there is no where better than your local independent.

The Olympic Torch in Totnes

It's all everyone seems to be talking about, but if you haven't already heard - the Olympic Torch will be passing through Totnes on Sunday 20th May on its way from Plymouth to Exeter. The torch is due to pass through Totnes at around 2pm. Totnes Good Food Market will be set up from 10am, as well as 53 other stalls offering all sorts of delights.  There will of course be many festivities taking place on The Plains throughout the day.  The town is bound to be packed with eager locals and visitors waiting to catch a glimpse of the torch so make sure you don't miss out!

Looe Shark Angling Festival

Following on from a very successful May Fayre last weekend here in Looe where everyone enjoyed a day of music and dancing and the weather held nice for the day, Looe is to host the Shark Angling Club of Great Britain's Shark Angling Festival on the weekend of Saturday May 19th and Sunday May 20th.

This is another very popular event in Looe with participants coming from all the over the UK and around the world for the chance to do battle with what could be a fish of a lifetime with Looe also being the Headquarters of the Shark Angling Club.

Its something I would love to take part in and maybe one year I will but for now I wish them fair winds and calm seas.

Mr Salad Face is a Winner at Dinner

Getting a preschooler to eat healthy food can be tricky. As a busy mum making different meals is not going to happen so I find ways of making what we're eating into something my little one will enjoy too.

Above is a picture of one of the salad faces I've made for Blake. Whenever we have salad if I turn his into some sort of face suddenly it gets eaten. Ultimately it's more fun to say eat your eyes instead of eat your cucumber. It doesn't just end with salad faces though, you can use vegetables or fruit.

May Bank Holiday in Totnes

There are a few things going on in and around Totnes this May Bank Holiday.  If you are stuck for things to do here are some suggestions.

Saturday May 5th 2012

Grand Opening of the new Dinosaur Farm at Woodlands Leisure Park

Totnes Record & Cd Fair at the Methodist Church Hall, Fore Street, Totnes. 10am – 4pm. £1 admission.

Sunday May 6th 2012

War Horse Walk - 3hr Archaeologist led walk about the Ditsworthy area including the War House film location. Grid ref: SX 580673. Pre-history, warrening and War Horse filming in the Plym Valley. Booking essential. For more info call 01822 890414.

Saturday May 5th 2012 - Monday May 7th 2012

A Day Out With Thomas the Tank Engine and the Fat Controller with South Devon Railway. Welcome children of all ages. www.southdevonrailway.co.uk

Toyday's Looe and Totnes shops will of course be open so don't let the forecast rain put you off going out - come in and have a browse amongst all the traditional and classic toys.

Looe Mayday Celebrations

This year as usual Looe will be holding a May Fayre on West Looe quay on Saturday May 5th from 10.00am until 3pm.

There are a bumper number of stalls, around twenty five, planned for this event which is now in its third year.

The day will begin with St Pinnnock Band leading a procession to include the Mayor, Sheila's School of dancing, Army Cadets, Looe Primary School and everyone who wants to join in to be overseen by 'The Queen of May and The Green Man'.

Erected outside the Fire Station will be the Traditional Maypole where the dancing will take place to mark the change from winter to spring.

A host of local musicians and bands will perform on the quay and hopefully everyone will join in the singing and dancing.

If you are free and crossing fingers the weather will be as nice as today then pop along to West Looe Quay on Saturday and join in the fun..