News, reviews and interviews - the pick of stories from the South West on the PRSD in 2008

By PRSD, on Saturday, January 10, 2009

Enough news, reviews, interviews from throughout the South West to shake a stick at.

Now that the dust has settled on 2009, we thought we’d remind you of some of the most popular news, interviews and reviews from the South West that peppered the People’s Republic of South Devon during 2008. As you would expect, it’s a good mix of stories about art, the environment and current affairs, with a recipe thrown in for good measure.

How does my garden grow: The gardenshare project in Totnes has volunteers taking on other people’s gardens to grown vegetables and flowers, even attracting the interest of Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall.

Squirrel kebabs on the menu: Otterton Mill has been putting squirrel on the menu, it was a bit of a novelty when it started, but pretty soon we’ll all be eating it, along with the four and twenty blackbirds.

Richard III review: Reviews proved popular during 2008, not least this offering from resident cartoonist Phig Billy, whose directoral debut will take place this summer. Here are his musings and scribblings on Richard III.

Renewable energy is on the increase: It may be some cold comfort in the current climate, but we got news from our old mates RegenSW that renewable energy project was on the up. You could say they had a following wind… or not.

Two Spot Gobi shines: Of all the pop combos that made it onto the People’s Republic of South Devon pages, it was the summer stylings of Two Spot Gobi which proved most popular.

Cafe Concrete gets bleary and rainy: It was a dark and stormy night… when those musical warriors from Cafe Concrete got together for their February meeting in Plymouth – seemed like loads a fun, despite the damp.

Illustrated interview with Sarah Hoskins: Proof that all you need to do is get two talented artists together in the same room with drawing implements and force them to talk to each other for an excellent interview.

David James shows support for tree week: Just a brief story, but it’s always nice to see the great and the good from all walks of life taking part in community stuff.

Inhale and hold: During the summer Devon dances, and we asked one of the dancers in the Inhale and Hold performance – which wended its watery way throughout the county – to give us the inside scoop.

Birmingham Royal Ballet review: The ballet came to Exeter, and Dance in Devon encouraged young dancers to get into reviewing. Of course, we jumped at the chance to carry the reviewers’ work. Here’s Lucie Tullett’s take on the BRB.

Torquay Town Hall could be new arts and community centre for the Bay: Is it so wrong to suggest Torbay could have an arts centre? It certainly seemed like a ‘cat amongst pigeons’ story, and the debate is still going on, so you can stick your oar in.

Far From The Madding Crowd (theatre review): The first of Natasha Kuler-von-der-Luhe’s outings to the theatre. My, she’s a Hardy reporter… geddit? Read the review and listen to the audience reaction after the performance.

Pumpkin Soup recipe: Warming and nutritious, it’s what plenty of people say about the People’s Republic of South Devon, but it might be more applicable to pumpkin soup. Here’s a cheeky little recipe for the winter warmer, to round up.