After phenomenally critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe runs, the hugely popular ‘The Importance of Being… Earnest?’ is coming to the Queens Theatre, Barnstaple from Friday, 2 February to Sunday, 4 February 2024.The play’s debut UK tour has a cast that includes the cream of the crop of UK improv including Lucy Trodd (a founding member of Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical), Amy Cooke-Hodgeson, (a founding member of award-winning comedy hit Austentatious, who has starred in multiple UK tours, Edinburgh Fringe runs and on BBC Radio 4’s recording of the show) and Tom Bulpett (who starred in The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre in the West End).In this riotous twist on a much-loved classic the show opens to looming disaster; the actor playing Ernest in Oscar Wilde’s famed farce fails to arrive on cue. In a monumental effort to ‘save the show’, a real audience member is quickly cast in the lead role.But this impetuous recasting sets off a hilarious chain of events that, one-by-one, renders the rest of the cast unable to continue their performances.As more audience members are encouraged to step into the spotlight, led backstage for costume and make-up, impromptu auditions, the painting of portraits, the chanting of mantras; doing whatever’s needed to help the show go on, an absurd controlled madness ensues – until it feels as if there are almost as many audience members in the cast as there are in the … audience.This is a comedic masterpiece of meticulous logistics, meritoriously involved audiences and masterful stage management. The Importance of Being… Earnest? Is an exciting and hilarious experience both to watch and be part of. For more information visit queenstheatre-barnstaple.com.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

One of the town’s best loved private Christmas light displays is back with a bang for 2023.Aaron Lane of 16 Furze Hill Road has long been known for his extravagent festive illuminations – but promises that his latest display will be the biggest and best yet. The display is raising money for the Ilfracombe and District Lions Club and will even be turned on by town mayor Daniel Turton at their very own Christmas Switch-On event, which takes place at 6pm on Friday, December 1st.Aaron said: “This year’s display will feature more lights, more fun and possibly the best countdown of all time with a secret added surprise for you all.”Aaron also added a plea for any disused lights. He said: “If you have any disused lights, rope lights, festive figures or blow moulds, please let me know. I’d like to say a massive thank you to the Mayor Daniel Turton for agreeing to switch the lights on again this year and also to everyone who has said they are coming.It’s you lovely lot that makes me want to do the lights every year. Let’s WOW our town and amaze people by showing them what we’ve got. Happy holidays!”Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Residents at a local nursing home have partnered with Ilfracombe library to provide residents with a bespoke book delivery service.Residents at Edenmore can access the new Home Library Service which sees books delivered straight to their doors.Volunteer led, books are picked based on the reader’s interests and hand delivered every four weeks, giving those who receive them enough time to read through what they have chosen and then exchange them for new ones.As the weeks pass, volunteers can befriend family members and bond over the joy of reading. The service offers audiobooks and also makes tablets available to borrow, making the service accessible for those with sight loss and granting access to a wide range of books, newspapers, and magazines online.A spokesman for the home said: “It is widely known that reading can be a great brain exercise, as well as a relaxing outlet to relieve stress levels. Stimulating stories with captivating illustrations can ignite feelings of joy, curiosity, and nostalgia, especially if a person has been an avid reader in the past.The service exemplifies the importance of such communal gatherings in promoting a sense of belonging and shared experiences. The team remain dedicated to crafting more heartwarming experiences that enrich the lives of residents & brings the community closer.”Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Ilfracombe residents are being invited to have their say on measures to address antisocial behaviour in the town centre. North Devon Council is seeking to renew the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which is in place in Ilfracombe – as well as Barnstaple – and has launched a consultation for members of the public to voice their opinions on the measures.The PSPO aims to prevent nuisance behaviours such as street drinking, drug use, public urination and aggressive begging, as well as antisocial behaviour that can have a detrimental impact on the local community.A breach of the PSPO can lead to a £100 fixed penalty, of which failure to pay can result in court proceedings and a fine of up to £1,000. The PSPO is largely the same as the one introduced in 2020. Proposed changes include the ability to disperse one person, as well as groups of two or more.North Devon Council leader Ian Roome said: “The antisocial behaviour PSPO allows us to directly deal with conduct that can have a damaging impact on peoples lives, so I would encourage people to take part in the consultation and have their say.The PSPO empowers the police and our own ASB officers, neighbourhood wardens and street marshals to address negative behaviour and ensure our town centres are places residents and visitors alike can enjoy safely.” The consultation will close on 6 November 2023. To have your say, visit: https://ecv.microsoft.com/ NWkAjwu1blLocal News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Ilfracombe is set to benefit from a substantial funding boost of just over £87,000, aimed at enhancing community amenities.The development is the result of a decision made during North Devon Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee meeting. The funds will be used for the construction of new play equipment along Ilfracombe seafront.The project is designed to provide a vibrant new play environment for the children and families of the local community.North Devon Council leader Ian Roome said: “I am pleased to see Ilfracombe benefitting from this significant Section 106 funding. The funding initiative reflects a shared vision, to make Ilfracombe an even more attractive and familyfriendly destination. I look forward to seeing the forthcoming transformations.”Under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act, contributions can be sought from developers towards the costs of providing extra community and social infrastructure as a result of the impact of new development in the area.These contributions can only be used for certain things, and are used primarily for public open space projects.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

A street marshal scheme which is said to have contributed toward a fall in antisocial behaviour in Barnstaple is being extended to Ilfracombe.The initiative, which has been running for the past 12 months in Barnstaple, is being funded by North Devon Council for a further six months. The council described the project as “an unprecedented success” with almost 400 fewer crimes recorded in Barnstaple than the year before.Ilfracombe has been included in the scheme after complaints of increased drinking in Runnymede Gardens and the sea front. Speaking at a recent meeting, council chairman Ian Roome said Barnstaple is a much nicer place to visit as crime had gone down – and that Ilfracombe could also reap the benefits.He said: “The shopkeepers are telling me that it really works and what an advantage it is. People in Ilfracombe will see that too. It’s a really good thing that it is there for the businesses as they attract people in.”Councillors heard that the marshals were highly valued by the police and other emergency services as well as council staff, businesses, residents and visitors. They were funded after a successful bid to the government’s Safer Streets programme, which gave the council £350,000 in July last year to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.As well as providing reassurance to the community and dealing with early signs of ASB, street marshals help police and the council with their daily duties, gather intelligence, enforce the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPOs), provide first aid and a link to council and police teams by using the existing town centre radio network call Shopnet. Barnstaple’s street marshals dealt with 427 incidents since July 2022.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Ilfracombe’s hidden gem has retained a major accreditation for the 19th year. Bicclescombe Park has achieved the Green Flag accreditation – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. North Devon Council, which manages the park, say the accreditation is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green space.2023 is the 19th consecutive year that Bicclescombe Park has achieved the status, with the help of active community groups including the Bicclescombe Park User Group.Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor Ian Roome said: “Through unwavering dedication and tireless efforts from our Parks team and from community groups, I am proud to share that we have achieved the Green Flag status again.To achieve this status again is a testament to everyone’s dedication and hard work to these green spaces. I’d like to say a big thank you and well done to all involved.” Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in achieving these Green Flag Awards. Bicclescombe Park is a vital green space for the community in North Devon, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises well-managed parks & green spaces, setting the standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom & around the world.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…