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Higher Fingle Farm has been in touch about farming Sunday.
They told the PRSD: “This is a national initiative to get young and old out on to farms, to meet the farmers and enjoy the countryside. It’s a great fun and free event for foodies and country lovers or just people that are intrigued what does go on behind the barn door.
“Our event at Higher Fingle Farm near Drewsteignton is on from 2pm-5pm and you can collect the duck eggs, look at lots of baby animals and buy local produce from our mini farmers market with produce from the parish.
An organic BBQ and delicious Devon cream tea are being provided by the playing fields committee and there will be lots of farmers to ask your most pressing agricultural questions.” There are lots more nationally all listed at www.farmsunday.org
The weekly technology column from those good people at Plymouth’s Orange Crate
Surely everybody loves the idea of robots don’t they? Whether you’re a hardcore sci fi fanatic who dreams of having an intelligent, automaton sidekick, or you could just do with a machine that can help with the ironing, there may one day be a robot for you.
Over the next couple of weeks I’m going to look back fondly over a relatively small number of the more famous, ground breaking robots of the last few decades. And I’m not talking about R2D2, Johnny-5 and The Terminator, but the real deal.
So, this week’s likely lad (or technically, series of likely lad models) is Honda’s favourite son ASIMO. An acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative MObility, the first ASIMO model (E0) was developed in 1986 at Honda’s research and development centre in Japan. The most ground breaking feature of this early model was that it could walk unassisted, although it took about five seconds to complete each step (and the robot itself was only a pair of legs without a body). It was to be the start of a successful and popular long-term project.
Between 1987 and 1992 Honda unveiled a range of improving models which resembled robotic legs attached to a top computational unit. Although still a way from being humanoid in appearance (they resembled big toasters on legs), ASIMO E5’s talents had grown immensely by 1992. Not only could he now walk fast on slopes, steps, and uneven surfaces, he could plan his movements in advance.
And the advances certainly didn’t stop there. The most recent ASIMO stands at 1.2m tall, weighs 43kg, and resembles a diminutive astronaut. Not only can he successfully walk at varying speeds, he boasts advanced arm movements enabling him to perform more complex tasks. And he’s intelligent. He can understand human gestures, respond to them, and even remember and greet people by name, performing multiple tasks at the same time!
Knowing this, and to look at him, it almost doesn’t feel strange to refer to him as ‘he’ rather than ‘it’. 46 ASIMO units exist today, and you can hire one for a year for a measly $166,000. Orange Crate have already put in an order, all donations will be gratefully received…
Now just to lighten your undoubtedly dour week that has been thrown into all kinds of confussion, what with half-term, bank holidays and the weather, we thought we give you the latest taste of South Devon’s very own Quails, with their stunning video to I Smile. Let’s hope it makes you smile…
The Appledore Visual Arts Festival kicks off today, and promises it’s usual mix of community-inspired artistic fun, which this year will be right down to earth, because that’s the theme ‘Earth’. Oh, never mind.
As Satish Kumar says: “This year’s festival brings art back to its ancient ecological roots so that we can re-connect with our environment on several levels. We can embrace its role a wonderful, natural muse but we can also start to look upon the Earth as something that we should preserve and protect for future generations of artists and makers.”
And we’ve got a list of events, so you can partake in the festival which if free to children under 18 adults will be asked to contribute £3 for a Festival Pass which will be valid for all four days. Most events are free, there are a limited number of events which have a charge including artists talks (£3/Adult) and a series of advance-booking workshops.
Children and Families:
Each day, there will be wide range of drop-in art creation events and workshops for families, many of which are specifically offered for children. These range from creating a giant scrap planet, to having a go at throwing a clay pot, to playing in the mud to create mudcloths from Mali. Children and adults can experiment painting with natural earth pigments, learn how to carve letters in local stone or help the National Trust build a dry stone wall.
Artists Residencies and a Masterclass:
Participating artists include several internationally famous artists who are inspired by Devon’s beautiful and elemental landscape.
Potter Svend Bayer will be working with local clays to create big pots on the wheel. Visitors will be able to watch him at work and also spend time talking with him about his art and his passion for clay.
Jill Abey and Jackie Smallcombe create unique cob buildings and sculptures. Working in collaboration with dry stone wallers from the National Trust and Festival visitors they will create a cob sculpture which when complete will be painted with red and ochre pigments. So roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.
Stone sculptor David Brampton-Greene will be carving stone on site. David worked extensively on the Seed, Peter Randall-Page’s massive sculpture now installed at the Eden Project. You can talk to David as he works on the Quay.
During a two day residency the highly respected artist, Christopher Cook will experiment with unorthodox combinations of media. He will explore ideas for new work using oil pigments mixed with resin, graphite and a medium new to him, Bideford Black. Bideford Black is a rare pigment found in an underground seam running through North Devon which was once used as eye liner.
Exhibitions:
Steve Thorpe is an unusual combination of artist and a coastal rock climber. The material and colours in his ’Rock Works’ are derived entirely from ground up rocks. As he climbs, he collects stones and rocks which are ground up to produce natural colours, these pigments and textures are then used to create powerful meditative paintings. His paintings are composed as walks, with the rocks he finds on a particular journey.
Artists Talks:
Thursday May 29 (7.30pm): Abey & Smallcombe will talk about their work as cob artists.
Friday May 30 (7.30pm): Svend Bayer will talk about his passion for clay and pots.
Saturday May 31 (7.30 pm) : Peter Randall-Page will be present, talking about Granite Song, a collaborative project with the photographer Chris Chapman which celebrates their local mid-Devon landscape.
Sunday June 1 (2pm): Christopher Cook will talk his Festival residency.
Theatre:
The Plough is running an exciting day long workshop on Friday May 30 from 10.30 – 3.30 pm. Children from 8 to 12 years old will have the opportunity to spend the day creating ‘The Last Apple Tree’ a Play-In-A-Day (£10 / child). Spaces available.
Angel Heart Theatre will perform their new puppet play The Nightingale, it is a magical performance with music, songs, shadow theatre and beautiful wooden puppets. Each puppet has been hand carved from limewood and wears magnificent costumes. Saturday May 31 from 2.30 – 3.30pm: £4 / person and £14.50 family ticket (2 children and 2 adults). Tickets can be bought on the door, supported by Beaford Arts.
Dance:
For those of you who love to dance, Dance In Devon will be present for all four days. On Thursday and Friday (May 29 & 30), they will be running a series of dance workshops and activities and over the weekend they will be running an open studio event with Gill Bliss a visual artist and dancers from YoYo Triptych a local dance group. The sessions are open to all Festival visitors, so feel free to come along and enjoy the chance to dance and get in to the groove.
Rebecca Jeffrey will also be running African Dance classes on Sunday June 1. Here’s a chance to learn an African Earth dance and then perform it during the Sunday afternoon Carnival Parade (£5 / person).
Films and Documentaries:
Alongside all these inspiring artists and workshops a programme of Film Shorts will be screened from 6 – 7.15pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. An eclectic selection of film titles ranging from Earth Between Our Toes to Funkenstein and from Sun In The Nightime to The Beginning should entice any interested film buff.
A beautifully made Oral History film of the special people and culture of Appledore will be screened at 1.45 and 4.30pm on Saturday May 31. The film shows their stories, memories and personalities and represents an important and personal portrayal of the unique maritime heritage of Appledore.
Open Gardens, Artists Trail and Contemporary Crafts :
Another firm favourite of the Festival is the opportunity to explore the winding streets of Appledore, a unique and historic village. There will be Open Gardens, Decorated Doorknockers and for the first time an Artists Trail where selected artists will display and sell their work in the homes of Appledore residents. Selected artists will also be selling high quality contemporary crafts including jewellery, glass, photography, stained glass and ceramics. A Trail Map will highlight were the Open Gardens and Artists Trails can be found.
Music:
Popular favourite the Appledore Silver Band will play on the Quay on Saturday at 2pm. In conjunction with Wren Trust the ReCyc Junk Band will perform the premiere of a new piece of music on Sunday at 2pm. After their performance there will be an opportunity to play their instruments. During the weekend, Bideford Folk Festival and Paul Duggins from Dicey Reilly will also be playing music on the Quay.
Festival Finale - Carnival Parade:
The Sunday afternoon finale is now a firmly established tradition. Energia the Samba Band will start playing on the Quay at 4.30pm, the Carnival Parade will start at 5.30pm. The parade is a fantastic way to close the Festival and this year should be a great spectacle with an array of art creations including a Giant Earthworm, a Scrap Planet and many other artworks created during the Festival including some beautiful carnival costumes.
Appledore is a beautiful estuary town with a maze of narrow winding streets and expansive views across the estuary of the Torridge and Taw rivers. All over the town events will be happening so come along, get creative and enjoy the fun of the festival.
Friends of the republic the Ellie Poo paper people (they divvy up reader offers) are moving premises and having a good clear out, and they’ve sent through news of a couple of bargains for you to have a gander at. Read more on how to pick up Ellie Poo…
They told the PRSD: “We are able to offer 5kg of mixed paper, board and envelopes delivered to your door for only £37.50.
“All the usual suspects are also there - Ellie Poo notebooks, jotters, tee shirts, card making kits, birthday cards, mugs, etc, etc.
” A new venture into banana paper - printed notebooks are available for only £5.99.
You’ve got two days to catch the Teignmouth International Arts Festival, which continues to May 31.
This art festival comes around every four years and included in the 400 or so pieces that are on display is work from local artists and schools, and there’s an international contingent from France, Germany and Russia.
And there will be a series of free art workshops for young people each afternoon at the Carlton Theatre, where qualified leaders will welcome families to try their hands at painting, modelling, designing, printing, sculpting and all manner of craft work.
Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to span the digital divide, combat social exclusion and be artistic? That’s exactly what Brazilian artist Ricardo Ruiz has been up to, and he brings his skills and experience to Plymouth on Saturday May 31 and Sunday June 1 for you to share in a workshop.
Anyone can book a place on the free workshop with Ruiz (of artists’ group MimoSa). Workshop participants will use redundant technology to create a portable recording device that will be used to gather peoples’ stories in Plymouth.
We take our hat off to the achievements, that according to the press release say: “Ricardo Ruiz has been one of the catalysts for the introduction of open-source software in Brazil. And over the past six years, Ruiz has developed and implemented three major programmes within Brazilian governmental policy, devising ways in which free software could be implemented on the government’s social programmes, the most notable success being within the Ministry of Culture.
He is one of the founders of MimoSa, an artist’s collective formed in 2005. “MimoSa creates portable systems from redundant technology to document people’s lives. The group underlines the politics inherent in the access to technology, and is motivated by the idea that people start to think critically about media when they start to produce their own.”
Here at the PRSD we rely on out-of-date technology and outmoded ideas of media, so we may well be booking a seat or two ourselves.
The workshop coincides with Plymouth Arts Centre’s current exhibition of contemporary Brazilian art, entitled Estrategia (translated as “Strategiesâ€), which runs until June 22.
• MimoSa’s two-day workshop takes place on May 31 – June 1 and is free, although early booking is advised. Call the box office on 01752 206 114.
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If you’re a bit cheesed off with the weather, try spending an evening in Antarctica.
Exeter University geographer Dr Chris Fogwill presents a talk entitled Antarctica: An Isolated Continent? on Thursday (May 29) at 6.30pm, at Parker Moot Room, Amory Building, Streatham Campus, Exeter.
Dr Chris Fogwill, who is a lecturer in Environmental Change and has spent a year in a tent in Antarctica, told the PRSD: “The traditional view of Antarctica is one of a cold, windy hostile environment, a place for exploration and heroic tales, very much isolated from ‘our’ world. However, recent rapid and spectacular changes in the Antarctic Ice Sheets have called this view into question and brought the giant ice sheets of Antarctica to the front of government, public and media attention. I look forward to sharing my experiences of being in this remarkable place with the people of Exeter.â€
• Chris Fogwill: Antarctica, an isolated continent? Some lessons from the past. Thursday 29 May, 6.30pm, Parker Moot Room, Amory Building, Streatham Campus, Exeter. This event is free of charge and booking is not required.
It’s part of a whole series of events organised by the university’s Geography department which aims to inform us all about the world we live in. Other planned events are:
Thursday 26 June, 6.30pm Tremough Campus, Penryn (Lecture Theatre A)
Larissa Naylor: Rock coasts on the move: effects of the March 2008 storms
Thursday 31 July, 6.30pm Streatham Campus, Exeter (Moot Room)
Tim Quine: Use and abuse of land resources
Thursday 28 August, 6.30pm Tremough Campus, Penryn (Lecture Theatre A)
Bridget Woodman: Energy Policy for a Changing Climate
Thursday 25 September, 6.30pm Streatham Campus, Exeter (Moot Room)
Stewart Barr: ‘Doing Your Bit’. Can we change our lifestyles to help the Planet?
Thursday 30 October, 6.30pm Tremough Campus, Penryn (Lecture Theatre A)
Jasper Knight Climate Change and Sandy Coastlines
Thursday 27 November, 6.30pm Streatham Campus, Exeter (Moot Room)
Chris Turney: Ice, Mud and Blood: Lessons from Climates Past
Thursday 11 December, 6.30pm Tremough Campus, Penryn (Lecture Theatre A)
Chris Caseldine: Iceland - living on the margin
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If you’ve been swooning around Plymouth Arts Centre, not through the art, but hunger pangs then you’ll be pleased to know the restaurant is reopening tomorrow, under the tutelage of local boy Justin Ranger.
Formerly vegetarian, the restaurant will maintain a majority of veggie opptions, 70 per cent apparently.
Justin told the PRSD: “I always make everything from scratch so I know what’s in it.
“There is often a lot of talk about using local ingredients, but in our case we’re going to be sourcing food from the local farmers that I grew up with.”
Cinema-goers receive a 10% discount on the day at Food at Plymouth Arts Centre, on presentation of their ticket, and can take drinks from the bar into the film. The restaurant will be open 10am–11pm Tuesday to Saturday; 5.30pm-8.30pm Mondays; and 11am-8.30pm Sundays.
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Step into Ems Coombes’ Hippily Crippily world of Grand Days Out.
This week she’s listening to the sounds of Sangat, pulling beards, and shouting out to her posse down at the Barbican Theatre and B-bar.
During Ems’ research into setting up Strictly Collaborative – her soon-to-launch theatre group – she visited Holton Lee and the National Disability Arts Collection and Archive in Dorset. She took our steam powered recording devices, and these are the results.
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