Stormy seas

  
Waves crashing into Hurlstone Point on Bossington Beach today. Photo by Nigel Stone.

Date for the Diary: An Evening with Richard Havers, 21 January 2016

Tales by the Fire:  An Evening with Richard Havers

21 January 2016,  7pm at The Culbone

“It’s all Rock’n Roll: The Beatles and The Stones”

£30.00 per person
(incl. two-course menu and canapés on arrival)

The Beatles and The Stones – The two bands that have defined popular music were often pitted against one another during the Sixties.
Richard Havers, who has written extensively about both bands and worked for them on various projects, delves into their enduring appeal and unravels some of the mystery as to what makes them so timeless. With music and photographs.

Canapés

Butternut squash and baby spinach fritters
with cucumber and turmeric yoghurt 

Home cured salmon gravadlax bilinis with lemon jelly and dill

Smoked venison loin crostini with fresh horseradish and cress

Mains

Devon red beef shin stew with smoked bacon, kale colcannon and truffle oil

Pan fried sea trout fillet with purple sprouting, brown shrimps, crushed new potatoes and lemon dill butter

Stuffed butternut squash with wild mushroom, Devon blue, hazelnut and   baby leafs and parsnip crisps

Desserts

Somerset apple and ginger crumble with stem ginger ice cream

Sticky toffee pudding with Devon clotted cream and toffee sauce 

Styles ice cream selection

Richard Havers

Writer and jazz producer Richard Havers

Writer and jazz producer Richard Havers

Richard spent twenty years working in the airline industry before deciding to pursue his passion for music. He worked advertising, writing and producing over 2,000 ads and jingles. He has written and produced in-flight radio shows, launched Turkey’s first commercial radio station, and produced concerts for artists that includes, Paul McCartney, The Beach Boys, Chicago and America. 

His books about music include, Bill Wyman’s Blues Odyssey, which won the Blues Foundation’s Award For Literature in 2002. Richard wrote, co-directed and produced the Peabody Award nominated TV series based upon the book. He has co-authored Rolling with the Stones (2003), and The Stones – A History in Cartoons (2006) with Bill Wyman and written The Stones in the Park (2009) about the band’s pivotal 1969 concert, as well as The Rolling Stones – In The Beginning (2006) a book by Danish photographer, Bent Rej. He compiled and edited Rolling Stones 50, the band’s official anniversary book in 2012. His other music related titles include, My Take (2006), Gary Barlow’s autobiography, Bowie, Bolan & The Brooklyn Boy (2007), legendary record producer Tony Visconti’s autobiography, Woodstock – 3 days of peace and music (2009), Jazz – The Golden Era (2008), Blues  – The Golden Era, (2008) Rock ‘n’ Roll – The Golden Era (2008), The Beatles – The Days of Their Lives (2010), and Read’s Musical Recitor (2004). His biography, Sinatra (2004), according to Marella Fostrup on BBC Radio 4, “Stands out as one of the best books ever written about Frank Sinatra.

His most recent books are Verve – The Sound of America, the 2013 book on the American record label. Uncompromising Expression, that tells the story of 75 years of Blue Note Records was published in November 2014.

His other books include Here Is The News, about the BBC in World War II, Treasure Island, Airline Confidential, Pop!, When Football was Football (nominated for illustrated Sports Book of the Year 2008), Dreamboats & Petticoats – Music & Life in Pre Beatles Britain, Titanic – History As It Happened, When Britain Went To War, Better Late Than Never, Len Goodman’s autobiography, Len Goodman’s Lost London (2013) and Len Goodman’s Dancing Round Britain (2014). He has also co-written As Much As I Can (2010) – The life of film and stage director, Peter Glenville.

His articles have appeared in The Daily Telegraph, The Times, Goldmine and Record Collector; he also appears regularly on radio and occasionally on TV, usually talking about music. He has produced box sets Universal Music, including, 100 Years of the Blues, as well as Satchmo: Louis Armstrong – Ambassador of Jazz (10 CD box set and 200 page illustrated biography), Ella – The Voice of Jazz, Verve – The Sound of America, Blue Note’s Uncompromising Expression and a 10 CD career retrospective of Nat King Cole in 2015. He has written numerous sleeve notes and books to accompany album and DVD releases, including many for The Rolling Stones and in 2015 wrote the historical notes for The Beatles 1+ DVD rand CD reissue. He is Universal Music’s jazz consultant and Editor-in-Chief of Universal Music’s online music marketing site – udiscovermusic.com 

BOOKING ESSENTIAL

Tickets are available from The Culbone – Please call 01643 862259

Under a dark, stormy sky..

  
Looking towards Dunkery in the low winter sun.

Photo by Julia Amies-Green

With the wind under their tails….

  

Girls just like to have fun – enjoying the wind under their tails! Two Exmoor fillies, Westwilmer Andira and Westwilmer Aralia, both by Oak II 🙂

Photo and text by Tricia Gibson.

Golden light hits the floor of the valley… 

 

Golden light hits the floor of the valley whilst the ferns slowly turn golden brown themselves from the autumn chills.

Photo and words by Richard Kift.

Where to stay in Lynton: The Denes

The Denes Guest House – a charming Edwardian place to stay

Main imageOur attractive Edwardian house is situated in Lynton, a mere stone’s throw from the entrance to the Valley of Rocks. We offer immediate access to picturesque walks and cycling routes in Exmoor National Park, as well as a comfortable place of refuge at the end of a full day.

At The Denes, we focus on traditional, locally-sourced, high-quality food and comfort; yet we offer all the essentials of modern living, including en-suite bedrooms, free wi-fi and free parking. We have facilities to store and dry boots and waterproof clothing. You will find a selection of information leaflets about local attractions and Ordnance Survey maps, which may be borrowed. A range of books, DVDs and board games are available for a relaxing evening.

We are open from March until mid November each year. You can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome.

Monday – Thursday 3 night discount available, phone for details.

Today, the natural beauty of the area attracts visitors from all corners of the world and there is much to see and do.  Walking along the plentiful footpaths is a great way to explore the dramatic senery, Watersmeet (NT tea room in a beautiful setting), Countisbury, Woody Bay or the Heddon Valley and we can show you the many route options.

What to see and do around Lynton

Cliff Railway, Valley of Rocks, Watersmeet, Arts and Crafts Centre, Lynton Candles, Lynton Cinema. The sky at night; Exmoor was Europes first Dark Sky Reserve.

A bit further away on Exmoor we have:

Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, Exmoor Safari, Exmoor Zoo, Experience Exmoor – 4×4, Horse Riding, Bike Hire.

Contact Details:

Tel: 01598 753573

Post: 15 Longmead, Lynton Devon EX25 6DQ

E-mail enquiries@thedenes.com

Web: www.thedenes.com

Twitter:  The_Denes

FB: www.facebook.com/thedenesguesthouse

 

Where to stay in Minehead: Woodcombe Lodges & Cottages

Woodcombe Lodges & Cottages is a small four star family owned group of six Lodges and two cottages sleeping from 2 up to 10 in 3 acres of gardens with extensive views from  the sea to the slopes of Exmoor.

We are set on a quiet country lane on the boundary of the Exmoor National Park and yet are only a 20 minutes’ walk to the pubs, shops and restaurants of Minehead with its seafront and beach beyond.

The Lodges are all south facing with verandas enjoying the sweeping views over the slopes of Exmoor with glimpses down to the sea. The Lodges and cottages are extremely cosy with space heating throughout and have fully fitted kitchens, dining and sitting areas, televisions and Dvd players. Wifi is available free of charge and in the Lodges but not the cottages.

There are children’s swings, a putting green and a games room onsite with laundry facilities and extensive visitor information. There are a range of walks from the site available for visitors for all abilities.

There are countless things to do around the area for walkers, cyclists, fishermen, golfers, birdwatchers, train enthusiasts and the glory of the Exmoor National Park and the North Devon coast to enjoy. Dunster with its castle are within 4 miles and the Exmoor Owl sanctuary, the West Somerset Steam railway, a day visit to Butlins and the beach are all closer.

We allow one dog per Lodge is most Lodges with two in our largest Lodge which sleeps up to ten. We have three Lodges specially prepared for wheelchair users with two enjoying the benefits of full size shower wet rooms with shower wheelchairs available.

We offer full week lettings from the May bank holiday to the end of September (Saturday changeover), and then short breaks can be taken preferably based on a three day weekend or four day mid-week break between October and the end of May except over Christmas and New year when we offer five night or seven night breaks.

Prices range from £190 in our one bedroom cottage for a short break to £1650 for a full week in our largest Lodge in peak season. We supply linen but not towels or tea towels that can be hired if necessary and have cots and high chairs available free of charge.

This is a family site so we do not normally accept single sex parties or parties where there is not an adult over 25 present without prior arrangement.

Web page www.woodcombelodges.co.uk

Email info@woodcombelodges.co.uk

Telephone 01643 702789

Yarde Down

  
Photo by Richard Williams.

Lone tree

  
Photo by Steve Lee.

Early Morning Mist

  
Winsford church in the early morning mist. Photo by Julia Amies-Green.