Count Arthur Strong – one time variety star and expert in absolutely everything, returns to the stage with his show Command Performance at the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple tomorrow (Thursday). The quirky BBC Radio 4 character created by Steve Delaney has gained a cult following, huge critical acclaim and quickly become and Edinburgh Fringe institution. For tickets call 01271 324242 or visit www.northdevontheatres.org.uk. Picture: Marilyn Kingwill.

Bank holiday events large and small from 03/05/12—09/05/12

THURSDAY, MAY 3

BINGO: Pollyfield Centre, Bideford, 7.30pm

BINGO: Barnstaple St John Ambulance HQ, Princess Street, 7.30pm, all welcome

BINGO: Blue Lights Parish Hall, Vernons Lane, Appledore. Eyes down 2pm

BINGO: Ring O’ Bells, Landkey, snowball, eyes down 7.30pm

GIVE BLOOD: Braunton Parish Hall, 1-3.15pm & 5-7.15pm, call 0300 123 23 23 to book appointment

THE BEACON: New tea/coffee, lunch and social sessions, Bishops Tawton Methodist Church, 11am-2pm (lunch 12.30pm), all welcome to drop in, chat, socialise or just read a newspaper, to book or for info, call 01271 859334

ROSE HILL CARERS GROUP: Coffee morning, Rose Hill, Heywood Road, Bideford, 10am-12 noon, for carers of adults with learning disabilities, every fortnight, come along for coffee, cake, a chat & support, info (01237) 420137 or 07944 562808

LUNCH CLUB: The Pollyfield Centre, Bideford, 12.30-2.30pm, every week, info 01237 478734

SOUTH MOLTON STRIDERS: Short walk, meet SM Square 10.30am, info 01769 574179

BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS: Whiddon Valley Community Centre, Barton Rd, Barnstaple, 9.45-10.45am & 11am-12 noon, £1 per session, for anyone with little or no computer experience, booking essential on 01271 372396

AIKIDO: New Aikido club, Bucks Cross Village Hall, 7-9pm for adults, men and women welcome 01237 441527

FRIDAY, MAY 4

COFFEE MORNING & RAFFLE: Candar Community Centre, Ilfracombe, 10am-12 noon, all welcome

QUIZ NIGHT: Appledore Community & Sports Assn, teams up to six, £1 per person, cash prizes and snowball draw, 8.30pm, all welcome

WHIST DRIVE: Royal Hotel, Market/Bude Street, Appledore, all welcome, 2.30pm

BINGO: Sticklepath School, Barnstaple, 7.30pm, all welcome

BINGO: Yarnscombe Victory Hall, eyes down 7.45pm

BINGO: Braunton Parish Hall, doors 6.30pm, eyes down 7.45, for Royal Air Forces Association

NEW VOICES IN CONCERT: Presented by Mary Chant with Barnstaple Ladies Choir, Christchurch, Bear St, Barnstaple, 7pm, adm £5 for ND Chemo Appeal

REACH ACROSS: With international medium Paul Francis, Umberleigh Village Hall, £10 at door, doors 7pm, show 8-11pm, info 07896 196997

FRIDAY AFTERNOON SOCIAL: Any age, Whiddon Valley Community Centre, Barton Rd, Barnstaple, various activities inc new age curling 1-3pm, £1, drop in for tea & coffee, call 01271 372396 for info

HAPPY CAFÉ: Friday Lunch Club, The Pavilion, Golf links Road, Westward Ho, 12.30-2 pm, three courses for £4.50, booking essential on 07773 679559. Café also open 11am-2.30pm for drinks, light snacks & cakes

INTERMEDIATE COMPUTER SKILLS: Whiddon Valley Community Centre, Barton Rd, Barnstaple, 10am-12 noon, £2 per session, for anyone who wants to extend their computer knowledge, booking essential on 01271 372396

AFTER SCHOOL ART CLUB: Craftihands, Mill St, Bideford, 3.45-5pm, a range of activities inc printing, dyeing, collage, felting, drawing & painting, info 01237 476159

BOWLS: Appledore Short Mat Bowling Club, weekly at Appledore Community Hall, 2pm, all welcome

BIDEFORD CEILIDH CLUB: Enjoy English folk dancing at Bideford Amateur Athletics Club, 8pm, all ages welcome info 01237 476632

SATURDAY, MAY 5

BINGO: 1-2-3 Lines Every Game, Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! Eyes down 7.15pm

ADEN VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION: Barnstaple Group Monthly Meeting, Ex-Servicemen’s Club, St George’s Road, Barnstaple, 12 noon, info from Dave Gilbody (01271) 377182 or Irene Chivers 815168

BINGO: Northam Leisure Centre, 1-2-3 lines every game, for the MS Society, eyes down 2.15pm, all welcome

MAY DAY: Rectory Garden/Northam Community Centre, stalls, maypole dancing, fairground and traction engine rides, with Merlin, model railway display at community centre, 10am-3pm, for info or stall booking 01237 459757

OPEN GARDENS: Old Glebe Gardens, Eggesford, open to public Saturday & Sunday, 2pm, refreshments, for Wembworthy and Eggesford church

BRAUNTON BASH: Community event with stalls, eco displays, duck races, raffle, skate competition and more, to raise money for Braunton charities, outside Countryside centre in Caen St, 11am-3pm

BIG PILTON QUIZ: Second instalment, Pilton Church Hall, 7.30pm, teams of six, individuals welcome, tickets £5 in advance from Pilton Stores or 01271 372416, for the Pilton Community

COFFEE MORNING: Oxham Hall, Mariansleigh, for ND Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support

HEALING: Instow Parish Hall, Quay Lane, 2-4pm, all welcome

DADS & KIDS DROP IN AND PLAY: Victoria House Children’s Centre, Barnstaple, for families with children under five years-old, play, spend time together & meet other families, 9.30-11.30am first Saturday of each month, info (01271) 321411

CAR BOOT SALE: Bideford Football Club, every Saturday, 8am, free parking, WCs and food

CAR BOOT SALE: Landkey, 1-4pm, sellers 11am, £6 per car, £1 public parking, no dogs on site please

TIBETAN BUDDHIST MEDITATION: Living Tree Centre, Paiges Lane, Barnstaple, 10.30-11.45am, info (01392) 876619

ILFRACOMBE FARMERS MARKET: Lantern Centre, High Street, 10am-12.30pm, fresh local produce, crafts, free adm & entertainment, info 01271 864621

SUNDAY, MAY 6

BINGO: Appledore Social Club, doors open 7pm, eyes down 7.30pm, all welcome

BIDEFORD SERVICES: St Mary’s Parish Church — 8am Holy Communion; 10am Parish Communion; 7pm Evensong, all welcome

BIG HYMN: Torrington St Michael’s Parish Church, a celebration of favourite and popular hymns, 3pm, refreshments, collection for Mayor’s Appeal and Church Restoration Fund

THE LIGHTHOUSE: Spiritual meeting, now at Orchard Vale School, Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, 7pm, crystal healing session, all welcome

KNIBBLES & KNOWLEDGE KNIGHT: Crealock Arms, Littleham, teams of four, 8pm, all welcome

ST MARYS AT WINGS: Informal, Friendly Family Service, The Wings Hall, Lower Meddon Street, Bideford, 11.15am OPEN GARDENS: Old Glebe Gardens, Eggesford, open to public Saturday & Sunday, 2pm

CAR BOOT SALE: South Molton Pannier Market, sellers 9.30am, buyers 10am, £6 pitch, no need to book, refreshments, proceeds to SM Pre-school, more info (01769) 572002

QUIZ NIGHT: For North Devon Cancer Care, Johnny’s Bar, Mill Street, Bideford, 8pm, info 01237 473798

BIDEFORD SALVATION ARMY: Bideford Baptist Church, every Sunday 3-4pm, all welcome

CAR BOOT SALE: Now back at Pottington, Barnstaple, buyers 1-4pm, sellers 11am & £6 per car, £1 parking, no dogs on site

MONDAY, MAY 7

BINGO: For Bideford FC, Robin’s Nest Social Club, Bideford, 7.15pm, all welcome

FREMINGTON BINGO: Fremington Parish Hall, eyes down 7.30pm, for ND Chemo Appeal, all welcome

ILFRACOMBE MUSEUM: Free entry all day for May Day celebrations, 10am-5pm, come and explore the Titanic display and see a 1948 Olympic torch

BARNSTAPLE MALE VOICE CHOIR: Rehearsal, every Monday Fremington Primary School 7.30-9.30pm

SOUTH MOLTON STRIDERS: Medium walk, meet SM Square 10.30am, info 01769 574827

US SOCIAL GROUP: For singles, The Panniers, Barnstaple, 8pm, info 01271 830981

BRAUNTON CAMERA CLUB: Meets weekly, details www.quillstring.co.uk/bcc

MODERN JIVE: Classes, Ex-services & Social Club, St Georges Rd, Barnstaple, 8-11pm, beginners & intermediates, info 07817 144292

CAR BOOT SALE: Blackmoor Gate Market Field, sellers 10.30am, buyers 11am, for St Thomas’ Church, Kentisbury, weather permitting

CROYDE CRAFT MARKET: Village Hall, 9.30am-4.30pm, traders info 01271 815258

TUESDAY, MAY 8

COFFEE MORNING & LUNCHES: Lavington Church, Bideford, 10am-1.15pm

BINGO: Bideford & District Angling Club, corner of Honestone Street, eyes down 7.30pm

COFFEE MORNING: Pollyfield Centre, Bideford, meet new friends & chat, activities & facilities to suit all abilities, 10am-12.30pm, all welcome

BINGO: Appledore Football Club, 7.30pm, for ND Hospice, draw & refreshments, all welcome

ROCK POOL RAMBLE: Combe Martin Beach with Coastwise, meet 1.30pm on beach, U16s to be accompanied, to confirm place contact Jim Monroe 01271 882078 or 07889 134466

EPILEPSY ACTION GROUP: North Devon branch meeting, the Henry Williamson Room, Barnstaple Library, 2-4pm, all welcome, info 07875 577428

BRATTON FLEMING DANCE CLUB: Goodleigh Village Hall, 7.30-10pm, adm £2, all welcome

BIDEFORD PROBUS CLUB: Royal Hotel, East-the-Water, 10.15am, info 01237 473337

HEALING: Community Room, above Asda, Atlantic Village, Bideford, 10am-12 noon, new venue & healing team, ask at Customer Services for directions or for info call 01237 471964 or 01805 622883

SEE HEAR CENTRE: Drop in session 9am-5pm, equipment, information & advice for people with sight or hearing loss, at 19a Alexandra Rd, Barnstaple, 01271 373236

FUN & FELLOWSHIP: Bideford Salvation Army, Bideford Baptist Church Upper Hall, 2-3.30pm, all welcome

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT CLUB: Free informal drop in, Whiddon Valley Community Centre, Barton Rd, Barnstaple, 10am-12 noon, help for anyone seeking work, training or career improvement, info 01271 372396

FREE KNITTING CLUB: Costa Coffee, Barnstaple High Street, new venue for former “Sip ‘n’ Stitch Club”, every Tuesday from 5.30-7pm, all welcome

BIDEFORD CAMERA CLUB: Pollyfield Centre, East-the-Water, 7.15pm, info 01237 423242

SCOTTISH DANCE CLASSES: Fremington Village Hall, 7.30pm, no partner needed, 01271 373975

SALSA DANCING: The Old Bus Station, Barnstaple, weekly, 7.30pm, info 07967 893618

TARKA MORRIS MEN: Bideford Amateur Athletics Club, 8pm, new members welcome, 01237 476632

CARD MAKING & CRAFTS CLUB: New club at Northam Leisure Centre, the Square, 7pm, info 01237 423095

BOWLS: Appledore Short Mat Bowling Club, weekly at Appledore Community Hall, 7pm, all welcome

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9

APPLEDORE PIRATES CASH BINGO: Appledore Village Hall. Eyes down 7.15pm

BINGO: Northam Leisure Centre, 1-2-3 lines, 7.15pm

CHARITY BINGO: Royal Exchange, Bple, 7.30pm

WHIST DRIVE: Royal Hotel, Market/Bude Street, Appledore, all welcome, 2.30pm

BANDAM : Barnstaple & North Devon Institute of Advanced Motorists, all welcome to short talk on driving issues an observed drive, refreshments, non members very welcome, at Platform 1, the old railway station, Castle Quay, 7pm, info 07891 424912 NORTH DEVON ARTS MEETING: Broomhill Art Hotel, Muddiford, free to members, non members welcome, £4 entry, 8pm, buffet supper from 7pm book on (01271) 850262

RASC/RCT ASSN: Meeting, Bideford Conservative Club, Bridgeland St, 7.30pm, new members welcome

DESIGN WORKSHOPS: Appledore Baptist Church 7.15-8.30pm, use your imagination & enjoy felting, monoprinting, drawing, collage and painting, weekly, info 01237 476159

BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS: Whiddon Valley Community Centre, Barton Rd, Barnstaple, 9.45-10.45am & 11am-12 noon, £1 per session, for anyone with little or no computer experience, booking essential on 01271 372396

ATLANTIC JIVE: Modern jive classes, Pollyfield Centre, Bideford, 8-11pm, info 07875 201328

MODERN JIVE: Classes, Roundswell Community Centre, Barnstaple, 7.30-10pm, beginners & intermediates, couples only, info 07817 144292

CONCERT: Appledore Band, Emmanuel Church, Wilder Road, Ilfracombe, 8.15pm

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: Barbara Fryer Photography, Lilico’s, Barnstaple, 10am-6pm