Best of Exeter's Jubilee Events

Exeter Cathedral from Princesshay

There is bunting absolutey everywhere and enough union jacks to make your eyes blurry, but it's finally here, the bank holiday we've all been waiting for, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee! Royalists and Republicans alike will no doubt be enjoying the extra few hours in bed, an absurd amout of cake and, fingers crossed, some good weather in Exeter. Though it's tempting to spend the weekend in bed, there are lots of great events around town this weekend, so grab a hat, put on your red, white & blue and go meet the neighbours.

Source: Radio Exe

Exeter Respect Festival @ Belmont Park, Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 June
The Respect Festival has come a very long way in just a few short years. From humble beginnings at the Exeter Phoenix to a regular Playday in the Park, to Exeter's biggest outdoor music event of the year. I am lucky enough to be part of two local bands that are playing on each day - The Bitterati on Satruday and Stalie & Knight on Sunday -  and there are lots of other awesome groups, dance troops, tasty food, community projects, arts and crafts there too. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing, Laid Blak, NUMB and Dakar Audio Club.

Crickey Queenie It's Vintage @ Exeter Thistle Hotel, Saturday 02 June, 10.30 - 4pm, £2

For their 1940's inspired vintage fair you can expect a host of delightful retro goodies with crafts, music, make up and more. Back in the day delights will include a vintage tea dance with Company B and DJ Louie Louie to complete with dance floor!  A raffle to help raise money for TheWomen's Land Army Tribute charity. Not to mention over 50+ stall holders of vintage and handmade goodies, new sellers added everytime, as well as the good old favourites! Two vintage fashion, Pop up beauty parlour, Retro photo-booth,  Make & take sessions with La di da presents The Sewing Sanctuary, and Rivka's fantastic fascinator workshop.

Lord Mayor's Street Party @ Exeter Guildhall, Sunday 03 June at 1:30pm
Pary frocks on! Hats at the ready! It's party time! The Lord Mayor accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, Deputy Lord Mayor & Deputy Lord Mayoress will host  a Diamond Jubilee Celebration Tea Party for local children in front of the Guildhall.

Source: Kim of the Topsham Food Festival

Topham Food Festival @ Topsham High Street, Saturday  to Sunday 3 June
Food music, and events, Topsham is readying itself for fabulous long weekend with their Topsham Food Festival. The centre piece of Topsham's Jubilee event will be 'Nello's Longest Table' taking over Fore Street from 2pm on Sunday where visitors will be able to enjoy communal meals of local and locally sourced food and drink in a unique atomsphere of community and interantional friendship. If you can't make in on the Sunday, be sure to tune into the live broadcast on Radio Exe 107.3 FM.

Jubilee Party on the Green @ QEII (formerly Wonford Playing Fields), Saturday 3pm
The Wonford Jubilee Celebrations Party on the Green will take over the newly named Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields with a fun day will be officially opened by deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Percy Prowse. Attractions will include a dog show, fairground rides, a bouncy castle, strong-man competition and a tug of war between local pubs. At 7.30pm, a major city-wide talent show, Youth Factor, will be held at Wonford Community Centre. A firework display will round-off the celebrations at the playing fields at 10pm.

Souce: National Trust

Last night at the Proms @ Killerton House, Monday 4 June
Celebrate the Jubilee in style and join us for this family concert in the park. Bring rugs and flags and enjoy a summer evening with one of the South West's premier brass bands.Adult £15, child £5, family £35. Call 0844 249 1895 to book or buy your tickets online.

Prometheus in Exeter: Midnight 31 May Premiers at the Odeon and Vue cinemas

Because Prometheus doesn't debut until 1 June, I was patiently hatching a plan to get tickets for Screen 1 at the Exeter Odeon on the next Orange Wednesday with my 3D specs and 500 of my closest friends. That is. Until. I heard bout the the fact that Odeon and Vue cinemas will be holding special midnight screenings on evening of the Thursday 31 May!!!!!!!  


I don't know what it is about Midnight Movies but just the thought of staying up past my bedtime to be among the first to feast my eyes on what I hope will be a Bladerunner-esque masterpiece conjures up feelings of everything that I've ever loved about going to the pictures. Late nights, big screen, something round the corner, big sound, popcorn and not being able to sleep because it was just that good!

Why am I, full on, totally excited about seeing Ridley Scott's return to fine sci-fi form with Prometheus?  Well, if you missed the epic trailer premier on Channel 4 in April, then let me fill you in. Ridley Scott is the Oscar award winning sci-fi genius brain behind Alien and Blade Runner (ok he also directed G.I. Jane, but nobody's perfect) and what he can't do with shadows and lighting and futuristic uncertainty might not be worth doing. Add to this Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce and Idris Elba, and you've got yourself a film.

From what I can tell, the plot is something to the effect of: people thing they understand alien messages, go to have a chat, find out that the aliens aren't that friendly. The IMDB sum up Prometheus like so:

A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

I don't think I was that far off?

If you can't make it to the Midnight Screening, here is a list of the showtimes, cinemas and prices where you can see Prometheus in 3d at more socialable hours over the bank holiday weekend. Both the Odeon and Vue are showing the film in 2D but to be honest, the less said about that the better.

Odeon	3D adult £7.25
Friday 1 June	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00
Saturday 2 June	12:00	15:00	19:00	22:00
Sunday 3 June	12:00	15:00	20:00	23:00
Monday 4 June	12:00	15:00	21:00	00:00
Vue Cinema	3D adult £9.00
Friday 1 June	12:00	14:50	17:40	20:30	23:20
Saturday 2 June	12:00	14:50	17:40	20:30	23:20
Sunday 3 June	12:00	14:50	17:40	20:30
Monday 4 June	12:00	14:50	17:40	20:30
Picture House	3D adult £10.50
Friday 1 June	12:45	15:30	18:20	21:00
Saturday 2 June	12:45	15:30	18:20	21:00
Sunday 3 June	13:00	15:30	18:20	21:00
Monday 4 June	12:45	15:30	18:20	21:00

Exeter Southgate Wedding Show

Cakes by Fifi's Cakery

Last week, on Thursday 24 May, I popped along to the Exeter Southgate Wedding Show hosted by WOW Wedding shows at the Mercure Exeter Southgate hotel.

With a selection of exhibitors from across the south west, the event really did have everything you could possibly need to throw your an absolutely beautiful wedding. Dresses, shoes, hair, make up, disco, jewellery, cake, favours, decorations, flowers, my personal favourite, a chocolate fountain and so much more. All of the exhibitors were friendly, professional, talented and would make a great addition to any special day.

Wedding Dresses and Tuxedo from Angel Face

The event backdrop, Southgate was also a complete surprise. It was the first time that I had visited the Southgate in while and I was pleasantly surprised by both the all new decor and the event as a whole. The Southgate is one of Exeter's most established larger hotels and has bit of reputation as business hotel, partially because of its location in Southernhay. But their new decor - with a contemporary colour palette of chocolate brown, animal prints, and electric blue make it both professional and sumptuious at the same time making the hotel perfect for business or pleasure.

I went round with the camera and got some snaps of some of the lovely wedding goodies on show.

The Exeter Southgate Wedding Show exhibitors featured in the slideshow include:

• Hand decorated wedding favours by Oksanas Creations 
• Wedding cakes and cupcakes by Fifi's Cakery
• Wedding dresses by Angel Face
• Jewellery from the Crystal'd Lily 
• Music from The Swing Kings
• Chocolate fountains and candy floss by Chocolate Wave
• Mobile disco, lights and visiuals from Charlie's Mobile Disco
• Hair styling by Viva Hair
• On the day make up from the Pop Up Salon
• Reception hall and honeymoon suites by Mercure Southgate Hotel