The sun came out for the first weekend of the 2012 Babbacombe Festival and crowds enjoyed a varied programme of activities including the Local History Society Exhibition and live music on a sun-soaked Oddicombe Beach while the Sailing Regatta was taking place out in the bay. Torbay Owls drew lots of admirers on Babbacombe Downs and a great variety of stalls were on show at the ‘Festival Fare’ event held in St Marychurch Precinct. The patchwork and quilting exhibition in Furrough Cross Church Hall was also a big success.

The Festival however is still far from over with a host of activities and events for the coming weekend. On Thursday 21 June you can join a free guided historical walk around the area starting at the Dolphin Inn in St Marychurch at 2.30pm and lasting around 90 minutes. The Furrough Cross Flower Festival opens its doors for its 3-day run and the Real Ale Festival with Barn Dance is on in the HSBC Marquee on Babbacombe Downs that evening from 7.30pm. Over 20 real ales and ciders available and tickets are just £6 per person with tickets available to buy on the door.

Friday is “Health Thyme” in the Marquee. A day-long health and wellbeing exhibition which is completely free to visit. There will also be free guided walks around the delightful Tessier Gardens all day, just turn up at the main entrance in Lindridge Road. The day finishes with the ever-popular German Oompah Night.

Saturday and its Armed Forces Day on the Downs. There’s music, pomp and ceremony as well as some fantastic aircraft lined up to display. Fun starts at 10am with the Veterans’ Parade at 1pm and the air display at 3pm. The Uko-fonics ukulele band will be in various locations around the area entertaining as they go and David Hanbury’s Vegas Spectacular will take place in the evening.

Sunday and Babbacombe Downs is home to the Lions Club Fête, Torbay Owls and the now-famous Hanbury’s Fish and Chips on the Downs Music Festival where there’s great food and wonderful entertainment from 12 noon onwards. With a ukulele workshop in St Anne’s Hall for anyone who fancies trying a ukulele and meeting some of the members of the Babbacombe Ukulele Group, make the most of Babbacombe this weekend and get to as many events as you can.

For more information on all 2012 Babbacombe Festival events as well as a picture gallery of what’s been going on so far go to www.babbacombe.org