The Dandelion Daily

At the Folk Preservation Society on Fore Street in Teignmouth, audiences gathered for Revenge of the Land Spirits, an illustrated talk featuring spoken word, on-screen projections, and video clips from Ireland. The session offered locals a chance to learn about traditional folklore and land spirits from an experienced speaker. Those in the room appreciated the depth of knowledge on display, welcoming the chance to explore the subject in detail and finding the Irish footage particularly absorbing. To help future talks run even more smoothly, audience members suggested adding subtitles to the video clips to make them clearer to follow. They also recommended that the presenter make use of a slide-clicker and a dedicated screen display, which would make handling the slides and visual material much easier throughout the evening.

A range of new community gatherings and creative workshops has been announced across Devon. In Buckfastleigh, the Moor Imagination Centre hosts The Snow Queen (Christmas Show & Workshop!), where Paul Batten of Theatrix Arts performs the tale using puppets, scenery, and music, followed by a craft session where children can make their own card puppet of Gerda or Kai. Meanwhile, food lovers can head to an outdoor barn at Teign Greens CIC in Lower Ashton for the Preserving Workshop at Teign Greens, where tutor Mia shows participants how to make sauerkrauts and other ferments to take home in their own jam jars.

For those seeking therapeutic movement, Moving Stories - for women offers a taster session at The Hands On Retreat in Newton Abbot. Facilitated by dance movement psychotherapist Clare Osbond, the workshop uses somatic awareness, breathwork, and dance to help participants share and explore personal stories.

A selection of community gatherings and live music evenings are coming up across Devon. At the Moor Imagination Centre in Buckfastleigh, Practising Possibility: A Warm Data Lab invites neighbours to come together for an open-to-all evening of small group conversations and shared stories. Led by Emily Stewart, the session follows a process exploring connections and living systems, with snacks and tea provided.

Nearby in Totnes, two seasonal musical events are set to fill local halls. Singer-songwriters Charlotte Mabon and Maya Love join forces for a Candlelight concert with Charlotte Mabon & Maya Love at Angel Hall, Bowden House, playing acoustic instruments including guitar, shruti box and medicine drum, with hot mulled apple juice and cake served during the interval. Meanwhile, at St Mary's Church on Totnes High Street, Martha Tilston and Dartsong Chorus will perform an evening of songs and Christmas cheer to raise money for a local charity.