A guided tour exploring the grounds and battlements of Exeter Castle, the gatehouse is one of the oldest surviving pieces of Norman architecture remaining in England.
Sensible footwear required.

At the beginning of the millennium a number of established artists and others with a passion for the Arts, joined together to form a new Academy, based in Exeter. One of their prime objectives was to bring together the Fine and Applied Arts at the highest level and represent the hundreds of talented and skilful artists who live and work in the South West.

The Academy mounts magnificent annual open exhibitions, gives public lectures. As the Academy goes from strength to strength, their ambition is to establish a centre of excellence in the South West. Amongst its members are many distinguished artists with international reputations who regularly exhibit with the Academy in the Open Exhibitions.

For further information visit:
www.southwestacademyoffineandappliedarts.org.uk

JOHN MCDERMOTT, RAYA HERZIG - two accomplished inter-national artists have come together to collaborate in a major Public Awareness art exhibition called, ‘Aftermath’. Both have experienced the devastating, soul destroying effects of war at first hand and wish to raise public awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – the invisible wound.

Raya Herzig is a child survivor of five years of the WWII German camps in Poland and another five years recovering in the hospitals of Sweden and Switzerland.  Raya has achieved international recognition for her work since the early 60’s. 
Raya is now a British citizen living in Exeter. 

John Mc Dermott was a member of the Royal Navy and a UN Military Observer in conflicts such as the Falklands in 1982, the Gulf Wars in the late 1980’s to Bosnia, Cambodia and West Africa (Sierra Leone) throughout 1990’s.  He is now a full time painter, whose previous visual art work on PTSD was exhibited on the Falkland Islands in 2007, an exhibition attended by HRH Prince Edward. 

www.aftermathptsd.co.uk
Exeter Summer Festival

For more information about the exhibition, please contact
John Mc Dermott through his website.

this was a unique opportunity to bid for a work by Antony Gormley and other artists.

The auction raised money for bursaries for the 2010 Dartmoor Arts Summer School. A unique opportunity arose to bid for 'Lost Boy', a carbon and casein drawing by Antony Gormley RA, which raised more than £3000. Other works for auction included those by Peter Randall-Page, Richard Wilson RA, Susan Derges, Patrick Jones and many more. This was a chance to own an original work of art and support young artists at the same time.

For further information:
01647 281295    
admin@dartmoorarts.com   
www.dartmoorarts.com

Operation Braveheart held a massive fund raising event in the Exeter Castle courtyard. There was entertainment throughout the day, followed by evening entertainment.

During the day there was lots of family entertainment before the party begun in the Castle grounds, including a Hog Roast and BBQ, a bouncy castle, a bucking bronco bull rider, kids face painting, and a special appearance from a Military Band. We have a specialist Military Supplier with Coats of Arms from every platoon, Brigade, Regiment and Squadron, memobralia, and exclusive access to buy a whole range of goods on the day or place mail orders.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND SUPPORT THIS EVENT. WE NEED TO SHOW ALL OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN THAT WE ARE BEHIND THEM, AND WILL SUPPORT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES IN TIMES OF HARDSHIP.

For further information and tickets visit:
Operation Braveheart's Rock in the Park Facebook page
www.operationbraveheart.org.uk

The festival of Food and Drink was back again at the Castle for the third time. Both previous events were great and this one was just as exciting. Apart from the Festival after dark where there was beer and merrymaking, the daytime hosted all manner of events, including wine workshops, food teepees, local producers, and chef demonstrations.

Local ale was be available from Devon brewers at The Festival Bar in association with Ales from Devon and the Well House Tavern. Feast on local delights including hog roast baps, chorizo from local pigs, Exmouth mussels, Bigbury oysters, quality pies, organic burgers, plus English wine, local ciders and ales.

Last year, the event attracted more than 15000 visitors over the three days. There will be many special guests, including the Raymond Blanc trained chefs, James Knight-Pacheco and Alasdair Hooper. The Good Food TV channel filmed throughout the three days. Michael Caine who also take to the stage said, "We are getting really exited about the line up for the festival, it is set to be one of the best yet. This is a great event for the community. It puts the South West on the map for food lovers across the country, and attracts some big names from the foodie scene."

Other chefs who were on stage included Tom William-Hawkes from Abode, Neil Haydock from Fifteen (Cornwall), Chris and James Tanner of Tanners Restaurant (Plymouth), Dez Turland of Brend Hotels, Angus McCraig of the Holtand Darren Hosegrove and Rob Dawe of the Ashburton Coookery school.

For all further information visit: www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

Animated Exeter presented Broadsided! A site-specific animated projection by Canadian media artist Rose Bond looking at Exeter Castle's history. This short animated piece was played continuously through the evenings. Rose gave a talk about her work on Sunday 14 Feb. Supported by Arts Council England.

Click this link to see a video of the Broadsided! event can be seen on YouTube
Look at this PDF for more information about Broadsided

Coldplay and La Roux played an extremely special show at Exeter Castle on Saturday, 19th December, as part of Mencap's new Big Noise Session. The show marked a homecoming for Chris, who was born and bred in Exeter.

The stunning Exeter Castle served as a backdrop for this unique event, which was staged inside a marquee transformed into a Christmas winter wonderland. It was in this festive, intimate setting that La Roux and Coldplay performed unique, stripped-back sets. Lily Allen was to also play, but could could not attend due to illness.

Says Chris Martin:
"I don't think there could be a better way to end the decade... La Roux, Lily Allen, Jo Whiley - what more can you ask for? We're proud to support Mencap and, for me, it's exciting to play my hometown. We haven't played there since 2000. It's going to be really, really special."

Says Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley (who is behind the Little Noise Sessions):
"This gig has all the right ingredients... a beautiful location, Christmas spirit, one of the best bands in the world and special friends all in an intimate setting. Add mulled wine, mistletoe, candles and carols and this will be the ultimate winter warmer. I couldn't be more thrilled that Coldplay, Lily and La Roux want to make a big festive Noise for Mencap."

Videos of the event can be seen on YouTube. Click this link to see one of many videos
Coldplay's website has several photos of the Exeter Castle gig - Click this link

Exeter Castle, 3 - 16th October 2009 (inc Sundays)
Open 10am - 5pm, Admission Free

At the beginning of the millennium a number of established artists and others with a passion for the Arts, joined together to form a new Academy, based in Exeter. One of their prime objectives was to bring together the Fine and Applied Arts at the highest level and represent the hundreds of talented and skilful artists who live and work in the South West.

The Academy mounts magnificent annual open exhibitions, gives public lectures. As the Academy goes from strength to strength, their ambition is to establish a centre of excellence in the South West. Amongst its members are many distinguished artists with international reputations who regularly exhibit with the Academy in the Open Exhibitions.

For further information visit:
www.southwestacademyoffineandappliedarts.org.uk

The Late, Late Summer Party in aid of Families for Children was an outstanding success. This fine party, held mid-September at the Exeter Castle, featured live music, an art exhibition, hog roast, and a silent auction. Now that the music is over and the hog has all gone, the organisers would like to share the excellent news that the event raised £21,780 for Families for Children.

The evening featured a spit-roast, cocktails, silent auction, and an art exhibition. Music was by Chris Jagger and his band, and special guest Andy MacKay. Art exhibition by Saul Cathcart, Tim Hayward, and Philip Kerr.

For further information visit:
www.latelatesummerparty.co.uk