Peoples Republic of South Devon

Eden and drinking (coffee)

Yesterday, we went to see gonk rockers Muse at the lovely Eden ‘complex’. It was good but did we learn anything?

Here’s what we learnt:

1. The coffee at Eden was a snip at just £1 a cup. A hog-roast bap costed £3.50. We didn’t try any of their lager or anything cos we is total squares.

2. Helen Foundation winners Hey Molly were the first band on. There is a strong chance the guys may have heard a record by Dirty Pretty Things or Arctic Monkeys at some stage in their young lives. They did a song about teenage pregnancy and were very polished indeed (as your Mum used to say).

3. Ramalama roustabouts Nixon And The Burn were up next and were surprisingly ace (considering their crap band name and all).

4. Muse played a storming set to an indifferent reception from the Cornish ‘massive’, who were no doubt waiting for James Morrison to turn up.

5. Um-pah-pah anthem Invincible still sounded irredeemably gash, even in a live setting.

6. Especially when followed by an astounding rendition of Plug In Baby.

7. And New Born.

8. Standing on a wet, grassy slope for two hours is a real bitch on the ankles.

9. Some people could apparently only enjoy the show by watching it through their mobile phone. What kooks!

10. The Best Of Foreigner sounds particularly good when you’re driving back from a gig at midnight.

And that was all we learned - no more and no less.

Posted by Thin White Duke

August 23rd, 2006

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Shake yo ass

Type ‘ass that won’t quit’ into Google these days, and chances are you’ll be pointed in the direction of Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary’s new webcam (nb, please do not get your children to try this).

The outdoor cam is stuck on top of the sanctuary’s main barn and provides lots of images of donkeys messing about in the surrounding fields.

And the good news is, there’s already a webcam inside the barn - so you can gorge yourself on hardcore ass action all chuffing year round.

To view the DonkeyWatch webcams visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk.

Posted by Thin White Duke

August 23rd, 2006

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Febrile Fitz # 6

Hullo, and welcome to another look at the world according to David ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald – the ex-TSW presenter turned 1970s sitcom writer. Er, we mean Evening Herald diarist.

This week’s effort features an appearance by Ratboy (his son) and is a good column for fans of Rainman-like diatribes against airport security. Does that make him crazy? Does that make him crazy? Does that make him crazy? Probably.

FEBRILE FITZ # 6

ONE BUNNYHOP: “How many married men would dare to pack a bag they’re taking on holiday? If it were left to me there would be one toothbrush, one flannel, one extra pair of pants, one bottle of shampoo and maybe one bottle of conditioner; it’s optional, but conditioner can double up as a rinse agent for the pants!”
TWO BUNNYHOPS: “Next, security check-in. ‘Remove your belt and shoes’ was the instruction. Behind me Ratboy, stepped out of his trainers and two sniffer dogs passed out!”
THREE BUNNYHOPS: “Moments later I sat back in my usual grump on the plane, wondering what lay ahead for the family FitzGerald over the coming days. Would it be as exciting as the airport? Then I caught the eye of the stewardess; I smiled; she smiled back. Things were beginning to look up…”

Heh heh! Oh, Fitz, you are a one.
Bye children.
Posted by Thin White Duke

August 22nd, 2006

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This hospital’s not for closing

When you reach a certain age, the fear of going into hospital increases - once they get you in there you’ll never come out. It seems a similar thing is happening to the hospitals themselves. Once they close they’ll never re-open, whether it’s for cleaning or decorating. There is no reassurance that Minor Injury Units (MIU) in Ashburton or Buckfastleigh will reopen and wards at Teignmouth are set to shut.

But then the political will seems to be to grind down the national health service.

And if anyone were to ask me what I do to support the NHS (Socialist Health Association, you know who you are), I’d say, I just don’t get ill (and feel glibly satisfied with my response).

Posted by Cptn

August 22nd, 2006

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I do like monday

Plagued by feelings of disgust and self loathing every time you play the National Lottery? Yeah, us too.

That’s why we’re supporting monday, a new online lottery where proceeds go to a charity of your choice.

Each week, the site supports five good causes and you simply select your favourite.

Some of the charities you can choose from are The Big Issue Foundation,
British Red Cross, Mencap, PDSA, War Child and, our current fave, Barnardo’s (they’ve got some of our T-shirts, doncha know).

A whopping 30p from every ticket bought goes directly to charity – that’s five times more than on the National Lottery – and all the dough can be spent by the causes as they bally-well see fit.

Basically, buying a monday ticket is a top way to support charity while having a bit of a larf. And the good news for the terminally niggardly is that tickets only cost a quid.

The first draw is taking place on Monday, August 28 so you’d better hurry along to www.playmonday.com to get your ticket.

There is a guaranteed jackpot winner every week and if nobody has all six numbers then the person with the closest numbers is the winner.

Hey, it really could be you!

Posted by Thin White Duke

August 21st, 2006

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Terror vision

Because no People’s Republic is an island, we thought we’d share with you some comments from Citizen of the Word (and I guess that includes the People’s Republic of South Devon) Reg Crowder (I think it’s a pseudonym, but who am I to judge) on the war on terror on the Guardian’s comment is free site. The rabbit story is particularly fun.

Posted by Cptn

August 20th, 2006

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Village green

The residents of that firey town of Belston (no, neither have I) are putting their green creditials where their mouth is. Or rather, the 250 souls of this Dartmoor village are looking at the way their lives affect climate change, by studying all aspects of village life. Those endless cups of tea with the vicar will surely be the first to go (you’re right, I’m not familiar with village life).

Posted by Cptn

August 20th, 2006

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Aeons of fun

When you’re next looking out your window, spare a thought for what will happen to that bit of green when the last farmers have been chased off. The Art and Earth Organised Network (it took them Aeons to come up with the name, geddit?) has the answer, and it has to do creativity and co-operation, the first incarnation of which will be the Aeon festival over the bankholiday weekend at Ullacombe Organic farm, near Haytor.

With an excellent array of music, independent films and all kinds of other stuff to make the two days go swimmingly the ethos of the event, which has grown out of the Ghost Town gatherings, is to support the artists and the landowners involved.

Yet another first for South Devon, and we in the republic are only happy that such imagination, innovation and energy is taking place in our own back yard.

To get your ticket (£10) contact Niki on 07843 442588.

Posted by Cptn

August 19th, 2006

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Small, medium and largesse

You may remember a few weeks ago that Barnardo’s put out the call for quality summer goods to fill its racks to fill its quotas and keep up its commitment to the kids it supports.

Quality, we thought. Summer clothes, we thought. Well, we thought, we’ve got t-shirts! And they’re good all year round! So we piled down there with 30 of our finest (in both colours and all sizes), and those good Barnado’s people accepted them with good grace and we felt good about ourselves. It was that simple.

So, go on, pop along to Barnardo’s in Newton Abbot (the nearest we could find) and get yourself a t-shirt or three (they’re cheaper than what we sell them for). And while you’re there, trade in the Knight Rider jacket, you know you’ve grown out of it, and they’ll be needing winter clothes soon enough.

Posted by Cptn

August 18th, 2006

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Short list

A buncha short movies from the region’s film types are about to go into production thanks to a super wheeze aimed at developing local talent.

Those lovely chaps at South West Screen - in association with the UK Film Council, Cornwall Film, ITV West, The Engine Room, Calling The Shots and Uncle Tom Cobley - have just announced that 11 short films are to be commissioned as part of their Digital Shorts 2006/7 scheme.

The best ideas from this year will have budgets of up to £8,000 (cor!) and successful applicants will work alongside an established line producer, as well as undergoing training at the National Film and Television School. Pretty rad, non?

Anyway, the films commissioned this year are:

In association with ITV West:
Hedge Witch by Liz Banks from Bristol
Moon People by Martin Rhys Davies from Bristol
Meeting by Bill Maryon from Bristol
Illumination by Liz Crow from Bristol

In association with Cornwall Film:
Just Saying Goodbye by Joan Beveridge from Cornwall
Bob-a-job by Brett Harvey from Cornwall
Pianissimo by Pat Kelman from Cornwall
Friday Night by Jane Pugh from Cornwall

In association with Somerset Film and Video and Calling the Shots
A small collection of Hilary Flamingo’s Dream Vocations by Harriet Fleuriot from Bristol
Goodbye Gabrielle by Adrian Cooper from Dorset
The River by Adam Laity from Bristol

Wot no citizens of the People’s Republic?! Come on, people - it’s time to pull your collective finger out.

Posted by Thin White Duke

August 17th, 2006

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