What's on in and around Exeter this weekend

Whether you fancy rocking along to Cliff Richard, sampling delicious food and drink at one of the food festivals in the area or treating Dad to a day out for Father's Day, there's lots on offer to keep the whole family amused this weekend! 

THEATRE

Keep Calm and Carry On!
Friday, Killerton House, Broadclyst
Broadclyst Primary School and Killerton have partnered up once again to put on a show stopping performance of Keep Calm and Carry On! The play is set in the days following the Exeter Blitz and explores life as an evacuee at Killerton House. The production takes place as a series of sketches performed by the Year 5 class around Killerton's house and garden at 1.30pm and 4pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

Plain Quakers Theatre present Nine Parts a Quaker
Friday, 7.30pm, New Theatre, Exeter
The Story of Thomas Clarkson's part in the campaign to end the story of the slave trade. If the 19th century abolished slavery why are more than 20 million people enslaved today? To our shame the work of Clarkson and Wilberforce remains unfinished: human trafficking and indentured labour proliferate everywhere. Does our lifestyle make us unwittingly complicit in this? As we reflect on the courage and tenacity of Thomas Clarkson we ask: Could two ageing grumpies sort the outrage of modern day slavery? Tickets £6, 01392 277189. www.wegottickets.com

Peter Pan
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
JM Barrie’s classic tale of the boy who never grew up is magically brought to life by the talented final year students of Exeter College’s BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Performing Arts course. Full of swashbuckling pirates, lost boys and Indians this classic traditional tale is sure to delight the whole family. With live music, dancing and a large cast of some of Exeter’s most vibrant young performers we know you’ll be Hooked! Performances at 7pm daily with a matinee on Saturday at 1.30pm. Tickets: £7, £5 conc. 01392 270891. www.barnfieldtheatre.com

MUSIC

Matt Andersen
Friday, 7.30pm, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
In all senses Matt Andersen, from the eastern shores of Canada, is a giant of a performer, with the ability to hush the room with his sensitive playing and vocals one minute, and let rip the next. He is truly one of those acts that has to be seen live. This will be the third time that we've been lucky to feature him on a UK tour and it is a gig that we always eagerly look forward to. Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door. www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk

Exeter Cathedral Choir: Orchestra: Britten "St Nicolas"
Saturday, 7.30pm, Exeter Cathedral
Thomas Hobbs will sing the title role in Benjamin Britten's cantata St Nicolas in a performance at the Cathedral on Saturday 15 June 2013 at 7.30pm. The Cathedral Choir will be augmented by the St Peter's Singers as well as the children and young people from the Devon County Junior Choir and Schola Exe. The lively accompaniment will be provided by the Cathedral Orchestra. Tickets from £6. Box office: 01392 285983.

Cliff Richard: Midsummer Nights Tour
Sunday, 8.30pm, Powderham Castle
Sir Cliff Richard OBE is Britain’s most successful artist with over 250 million record sales worldwide and over 120 top 40 hits. He’s a star of the screen with films like The Young Ones and Summer Holiday, has gained millions of loyal fans, and has a place in the UK Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to British music. Gates will open at 5.30pm and the concert will start at 8.30pm. Box Office on 01626 890243.  www.powderham.co.uk

EVENTS & DAYS OUT

Morchard Bishop Flower Festival
Saturday & Sunday, St Mary's Church, Morchard Bishop
How would you interpret the films Best Exotic Marigold Hotel or Four weddings and a Funeral or The Gruffalo and many more films in flowers? The flower arrangers will attempt to do so in this very old listed church so it will be a marvellous display of flowers with a soft music in the background.  A light-hearted church service of humorous readings and poems linked to the theme of films will be held at the end of the festival on Sunday at 5.30pm. There will also be a plant stall, bric-a-brac stall and a raffle. Open 10am-4.30pm, admission £1.

A Celebration in Flowers

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, The Mint Methodist Church, Fore Street, Exeter
The Mint Methodist Church is celebrating 200 years of worship and service. Go along and view the floral displays on Friday between 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday noon-6pm. Tea and cakes will be available on Saturday afternoon.

Crediton Food & Drink Festival
Saturday & Sunday, Town Square, Market Street, Crediton
Organised by community groups and established in 2009, Crediton's 5th Food and Drink Festival will again have stalls and cookery demonstrations on Saturday afternoon in the Town Square, as well as food and music on the Saturday night. On Sunday enjoy the The Big Sunday Lunch, with music and food to buy, and tables and chairs to sit at to eat and enjoy the company. Not forgetting our short story competition plus of course the Great Crediton Bake-off. Admission is free.  www.creditonfoodfestival.co.uk

Bicton College Annual Country Fair
Saturday, Bicton College, East Budleigh
Live music and various animal shows will take place throughout the day alongside the many local businesses and stallholders, showcasing Devon’s finest food produce, crafts and activities. Current students will also be demonstrating their knowledge in each course area, giving the public a chance to really understand (and try for themselves!) what Bicton College is all about. The focus this year will be on music, getting active and horticulture – from tranquil garden tours to military style assault courses there will be something for all ages and energy. 10am-4pm, free parking. Click here for more information.

Treat  Dad to free day out at Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park
Sunday, Crealy, Sidmouth Road, Exeter
Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park is offering families the chance to treat Dads to a free day out at the award-winning attraction, this Father’s Day. What better way to say thank you and celebrate with Dads than a day out together as a family! www.crealy.co.uk

Make Father’s Day an Otter Day at Escot
Sunday, Escot Estate, Ottery St Mary
Take part in the Otter Trail, meet a cheeky family of otters and see them get a very special present to open at feeding time, listen to the storyteller's otter tales and, as it’s Father’s Day, there will be free Otter Beer tasting sessions for  too. Open 10am-5pm. www.escot-devon.co.uk

Dads visit free at Powderham Castle
Sunday, Powderham Castle, Kenton
Dads can visit for free when accompanied by a paying child. Treat them to a day out they'll remember, with Hawkeridge Birds of Prey displaying their majestic birds and then grab a bow and have a go with Exeter Company of Archers. www.powderham.co.uk

Celebrate Father’s Day at Castle Drogo
Sunday, Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton
Why not take Dad along to Castle Drogo. From a chance to meet the Drogo builders and see displays of machines and gadgets to tree climbing and the opportunity to make a gift for Dad, there will be lots of things for dads (and all the rest of the family) to see and do.  Father’s day lunches are also available.  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo

EXHIBITIONS

Gillian Ayres: Paintings and Prints 1986 to 2011
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter
This exhibition features the printmaking of Gillian Ayres, one of the leading British abstract artists of her generation. As well as the vibrant, heavily-worked canvasses for which she is best known, Gillian is also a dedicated printmaker. On sale during the exhibition will be illustrated books featuring works on display and a selection of prints and paintings. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm, the exhibition runs until 15 September. www.rammuseum.org.uk

An instinct to collect
A la Ronde, Summer Lane, Exmouth
A la Ronde is delighted to be hosting an exhibition of Mick Abbott’s paintings, many of which were inspired by items within the A la Ronde collection.  Mick’s is generously donating the proceeds of the sale of his work to the property to aid the continued funding of conservation projects.  The exhibition is open 10.30am-5.30pm until 19 June and the auction is on Tuesday 25 June at 7pm (viewing at 6pm). www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alaronde

Art Festival in Broadclyst
Broadclyst Church (EX5 3EL)
There will be an Exhibition of Art by Exeter Art Society and Broadclyst Primary School in Broadclyst Church (EX5 3EL) on Saturday & Sunday, 13 & 14 July. The Church will be open from 10am to 5pm each day. There will be a Songs of Praise service in Church at 10am on the Sunday morning. Teas and ploughman's lunches will be served during the day. Parking in the field next to the Church.