The Devonshire Association Literature & Art Section is concerned with exploring and promoting interest in the historical and present-day contributions of Devon and Devonians to writing, illustration and the making of books, and to the visual arts.
The committee organises about six events each year: typically talks by writers, poets, artists and literary and art historians, and visits to artists’ studios, notable libraries and other places with artistic and literary associations.
Recent programmes have included illustrated talks on 18th century Devon miniaturists, on animal illustrations, on the use of art in psychiatric therapy, on wood-engraving, on a book on Devon secret agents, on creating an IPad application of ‘Wind in the Willows’; and guided visits to the studios of two sculptors, to the Ted Hughes Trail in Stover Park and to the libraries of Exeter Cathedral and the Devon and Exeter Institution.
The Section welcomes visitors and guests to most events, though preference is given to members where numbers are limited.
https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/sections/literature-art-section/
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The Devonshire Association Music Section arranges events that inform, educate and entertain anyone with an interest in the music of this County. It aims to ‘promote and recognise music that is indigenous to or inspired by the County of Devon through performance and study of all styles of music and musicians….’
Our Devon music ranges from traditional and contemporary to classical, folk, jazz and rock. The Section promotes both the study of music that is rooted here and fosters musical creativity among its members. Musicians and non-musicians with a pride in Devon’s music will find a place to widen their appreciation of its musical heritage, traditions and innovations.
The annual Living Tradition Concert, celebrating local folk music, song and dance, has been held in each area of the county. Illustrated talks by local composers, instrument makers and songwriters have given an insight into the creative arts and the crafts of music-making. We also collaborate with national organisations to give a local perspective on music-making extending from West Gallery singing and playing to bell ringing and traditional ballads.
https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/sections/music-section/
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The Devonshire Association Exeter Branch was founded in 1952 and serves the City of Exeter and the surrounding towns and villages.
An annual programme of events offers a broad range of topics tailored to the diverse interests of its members. Meetings are held at convenient locations, usually in Exeter.
A typical programme of events consists of a New Year party in January, including various forms of entertainment, and lectures in February and March given by recognised experts in their fields. The lectures are typically followed during the spring and summer months by a visit to a country house and assorted guided walks and excursions, occasionally to the coast. A ‘Meet and Greet’ event is also occasionally arranged for new members. Autumn and winter events include an annual lunch, traditionally preceded by a talk given by the incumbent Devonshire Association President, and an AGM accompanied by a presentation or a question and answer session with committee members.
Non-members are welcome to attend any of the activities – space permitting.
https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/branches/exeter-branch/
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The Devonshire Association South Devon Branch of the DA covers the council districts of Teignbridge and South Hams and the unitary authority of Torbay. It meets in Newton Abbot but seeks to reach the wider membership of all who live in South Devon.
We meet for talks in the six winter months of November to April and arrange three excursions of a varied nature during the summer months. We have a small committee which arranges a programme of speakers and walk leaders that covers all aspects of the county.
We also encourage our members to belong to one or more of the DA’s Sections (special interest groups) of which there are eight, covering everything from Botany to Music.
Our indoor meetings are currently held in Room F3 at Newton Abbot Library (the Passmore Edwards Building) in Market Street, TQ12 2RJ. Usually held on the third Thursday of the month at 2.15 pm, they last for about 45 minutes. At present the venue from November 2020 is uncertain; an update will follow.
Visitors and new members are particularly welcome at all our events.
https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/branches/south-devon-branch/
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The Devonshire Association Plymouth Branch – now known as the Plymouth and District Branch – was created in 1932 to enable members from Plymouth and South-West Devon to meet, socialise, and to be kept aware of the activities and events of the Association throughout the county.
Branch meetings are normally held on the second Wednesday evening of each month (October through April) in the lecture theatre of the Plymouth Athenaeum at Derry’s Cross. Invited speakers cover all interests, including aspects of local history, architecture, science, literature and the arts. Occasionally members present talks on their own research and interests. Each evening session ends with refreshments in the lounge of the Athenaeum.
In the summer months (May to September) there are a range of outings to the local area, often led by experts in architecture, industrial archaeology, botany, entomology and the sciences. Some of the places visited by the Branch are the less well known places, some of which are not normally available to the general public.
We welcome visitors to our events, details of which are available on the Devonshire Association website.
https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/branches/plymouth-and-district-branch/
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Founded in 1949, the Devonshire Association East Devon Branch has a reputation for being a lively and friendly organisation which recruits new members from East Devon and beyond.
Our members enjoy a varied and stimulating programme of events which covers many aspects of the rich history, culture and diversity of Devon, often with an East Devon connection.
Our calendar of events starts in September when the branch chairman hosts a social evening and buffet supper to which the President of the Devonshire Association is invited. This is followed by the winter series of monthly lectures, which takes place in Sidmouth from October to March and is especially popular with members and non-members. During the summer months a number of visits are organised to places of interest, country houses and museums throughout the county.
Visitors are always made particularly welcome at all our events.
https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/branches/east-devon-branch/
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The Devonshire Association Bideford Branch was founded in 1952 and reaches out to members throughout the whole of North Devon.
At least six talks are held each year between October and April in the informal setting of the Burton Art Gallery and Museum, close to the southern entrance to Victoria Park and next to a public car park. The meetings, which are followed by discussion and light refreshments, normally take place at 2pm on the third Friday of each month and include an eclectic range of illustrated talks and demonstrations by recognised experts in their fields. Topics relate to science, engineering, literature and the arts, and historical aspects thereof: more recently, musical events have been introduced.
A programme of three excursions or field trips is arranged during the summer months between May and July to localities both in and adjacent to Devon.
Please pick up a leaflet at the Burton Art Gallery or just come along to one of our events. Members and non-members alike will always receive a very warm welcome.
https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/branches/bideford-branch/
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The Devonshire Association Axe Valley Branch was established more than sixty years ago and is a friendly group of active Association members. Most live in one of the numerous and diverse towns, villages and hamlets around the Axe Valley – some further afield.
Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday afternoon of each month from October to March and take the form of an illustrated talk presented by an invited speaker. When choosing topics we aim to be consistent with those of the Association, namely science, literature and the arts, and to reflect the unique heritage, landscape and countryside in this part of East Devon. Our annual programme is usually distributed to members during September.
Meetings commence at 2.30pm in The Pavilion, Peace Memorial Playing Fields, Coly Road, Colyton, EX24 5PU. Notices of meetings are listed on this website (see below), published in the local press and magazines, and displayed on posters.
Association members, prospective members and visitors are always welcome at meetings. A small donation (currently DA members £1, non-members £3) is requested to cover hall and speaker fees.
https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/branches/axe-valley-branch/
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The Devonshire Association Tavistock & West Devon Branch, which consists of a group of friendly and active members, was founded in Tavistock and its immediate vicinity and subsequently extended to serve from the outskirts of Plymouth through to Okehampton.
Branch meetings are held on a monthly basis from September to April at the Parish Centre in Tavistock, and attract highly renowned speakers on a wide variety of topics of local interest, ranging from science, literature and the arts to Dartmoor, industrial archaeology and folklore. Great emphasis is placed on the social aspect of our evenings, lectures being regularly followed by tea, coffee and light refreshments.
Over the summer, we enjoy outings to places of interest in the county and guided walks and excursions on Dartmoor. The annual highlight is our social evening – a buffet supper followed by a light-hearted talk, affording us a chance to reminisce and engage with new members.
We welcome visitors to any or all of our events.
https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/branches/tavistock-west-devon-branch/
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The aim of the group is to promote an interest in birds and other wildlife in Exeter and the surrounding district, and to support the activities of the RSPB in giving nature a home.
Each month between September and April we have indoor evening meetings, usually with a visiting expert speaker. Refreshments are provided in the interval, and free underground evening parking is available opposite the hall. Every 2 or 3 weeks we have outdoor meetings at top bird watching sites in Devon, Somerset or Dorset. For the longer-distance trips we share cars, meeting in the car park behind the Miller & Carter Steakhouse on Honiton Road.
Every quarter we produce a newsletter containing news about the RSPB and local group activities, including reports on past events and reminders about forthcoming ones.
We also operate a 100 Club lottery - anyone can buy uniquely numbered £10 shares; each month winning numbers are drawn; after a small administration fee is deducted, the remaining subscription is split, one half going to support the RSPB and the other being distributed as prize money.
For further information please click on the Contact Us link.
FOR ALL OTHER ENQUIRIES PLEASE CALL THE RSPB ENGLAND OFFICE IN EXETER ON 01392 432691 (Monday - Friday 9am - 5.15pm).
RSPB – Exeter & District Local Group, https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/exeter
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