Hotels and accommodation, activities and attractions in Somerset, Bath and Exmoor

Wells Cathedral hosts many classical music concerts. Soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent cathedral. For details on forthcoming concerts visit www.wellscathedral.org.uk

Farmers Markets

Farmers Markets where you can sample the fresh local produce are held at:
Burnham on Sea - 3rd Friday of the month
Bridgwater - 2nd Friday of the month
Chard - 4th Friday of the month
Frome - 2nd Saturday of the month
Glastonbury - 4th Saturday of the month
Minehead - 3rd Friday of the month
Taunton- Every Thursday of the month
Wells - Every Wednesday of the month
Weston-super-Mare - 2nd Saturday of the month
Yeovil - 2nd Thursday of the month

2010 Events

Cricket St Thomas- 10 June

Barnado's Big Toddle sponsored walk for under-5's at Cricket St Thomas Lakes & Gardens near Chard at 10.15am. More information on 0845 270 9900 or visit www.barnados.org.uk/bigtoddle

Saturday 19th June- The Manor, Cossington, Bridgwater

KATHLEEN FERRIER SONG COMPETITION WINNER SINGS FOR US!

A recital by the brilliant young soprano Sarah-Jane Brandon, winner of the £10,000 first prize in last year’s Kathleen Ferrier Song Competition, and the British pianist Gary Matthewman, himself the 2009 winner of the prize for pianists at the first ‘Das Lied - International Song Competition’ in Berlin, is the exciting prospect offered by Cossington Concerts.

The artists have chosen a programme of breath-taking songs and opera excerpts, reflecting the formidable vocal resources and expressive range Miss Brandon has in her control. The recital ranges from lesser-known chamber music gems by Mozart, Liszt and Rachmaninov to iconic operatic vignettes – ’Ave Maria’ from Verdi’s Otello, ‘The Song to the Moon’ from Dvorák’s Rusalka and ‘The Mirror Aria’ from Massenet’s Thaïs.

The performance is presented by Cossington Concerts as part of their ninth season of chamber music concerts and the fourth to be sponsored by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust Recital Scheme. All proceeds will go to Cossington Concert’s Fund for Young Musicians, which provides financial assistance towards the purchase of instruments and course fees for local musicians. To apply for funding or to make a donation, please visit www.cossingtonconcerts.com.

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and, for the first time, students aged 10 - 19 can book tickets free of charge by contacting Marian Curry on 01278 683777 or via mariancurry@cossingtonconcerts.com.

Cheddar- Cheddar Ales Beer Festival- 18th-20th June

From 18th – 20th June, Cheddar Ales will be enticing everyone to its second beer festival – a celebration of real ale held in amongst the weird and wonderful vessels of the brewery itself.

On offer will be a range of 45 beers from microbreweries across the country, cherry-picked to produce a Best of British showcase of real ale. “We source beers on the basis of their having won major industry awards over the past three years”, says festival organiser John Magill, “So for the beer lover it’s paradise – every beer you try will be a champion in its class. And for those that are new to real ale or just interested in food, drink and flavours, there’s no better place to start exploring one of Britain’s greatest craft industries.”

The range covers a wide variety of styles with something to suit all tastes. “We’ve got all sorts” says John, “lots of golden and pale ales perfect for summer quaffing, as well as classic bitters, milds, porters and IPAs. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a proper beer festival without a few specials, so we have a honey beer, a wheat beer, a couple of blondes and then some seriously strong stuff for the more adventurous drinkers.”

Of course the range also includes the brewery’s own award-winning ales such as Potholer and Gorge Best, and its elusive special brews such as Goat’s Leap IPA and Totty Pot Porter.

Other attractions include a varied selection of live music from local bands playing everything from Roots and Folk to Indie Rock and Blues. There is also an all-day barbecue cooking a range of locally-sourced goodies to help soak up the beer and this year the festival will also provide entertainment for kids during the afternoons to give parents a bit of time off to enjoy a pint or two.

Once again, visitors will be encouraged to make a weekend of it by camping on-site. John strongly encourages this approach. “You can fall out of the festival and straight into bed, then wake up and have beer and bacon sandwiches for breakfast.”

But if you can’t make it for the whole weekend, each day has its own character, says John, “Come on Friday night if you want the choice of the full range of beers, freshly tapped. We tend to get the connoisseurs in on the Friday along with those just looking for a good night out after a week at work. Saturday is ideal for a bit of afternoon lazing outdoors, but it gets more and more lively as the day goes on until it’s really bustling come the evening time. Sunday is Father’s Day, and we’ll have some special offers later in the day so we’re expecting lots of dads being treated to a day out.”

The beer festival will run from the 6pm on Friday 18th ‘til late afternoon on Sunday 20th June. No need to buy tickets in advance, just turn up and pay on the door, although if you want to camp you will need to book a pitch. There is a free minibus running between Cheddar and Draycott, via the brewery, at peak periods. Contact the brewery for more details.

For more information please contact John MaGill on 01934 744193 or john@cheddarales.co.uk

Axbridge- August Bank Holiday – 28th, 29th & 30th

Witness hundreds of years of this Axbridge’s rich past in this spectacular historical re-enactment played out in the town’s medieval square, from the turbulent time of the Saxons and Elizabethans up to the evacuees of World War II and on to the present day.

Tickets NOW on sale.

Book your place at the main event or at one of the festival events

Get your booking form for all pageant performances and festival events from www.axbridgepageant.org.uk or call the Pageant enquiry desk direct on 07931 638 681.



Lowland Games 2010



WEDNESDAY 21st July - 6.30PM
Mid Somerset Riding Club host terrier racing,
dog agility plus burgers and the beer tent!
Info - 01460 242455

“THE LOWLAND HASH” 7pm start
Up to 10k Fun Run following a flour trail across the levels. Open to all abilities,
start and end at the marquee. £1 entry.
Info - 07843 747264

THURSDAY 22nd July - 6.30PM
ST. MARGARET’S HOSPICE BARN DANCE
Live music from Hobson’s Choice with a ploughman’s supper! Adults £8 - U16 £4 U5 FREE -
Please try to book tickets in advance
Info - 0845 345 9671

FRIDAY 23rd July - 5PM till Late
YOUNG FARMERS 75TH CELEBRATION IN AID OF
THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION
Afternoon tea, competitions, bar, food and disco.
Come along and support Langport YFC’s
75th Year! Info - 07919 414223

SATURDAY 24th July - 7.30PM
Live Music with STORM, supported by
Blue Bullet - tickets £5 Info - 07974 693562

SUNDAY 25th July - FROM 11AM
THE LOWLAND GAMES

Tickets = £5 Ages 5 to16 = £1 UNDER 5’s FREE

People flock to the Lowland Games for all the fun and frolics to
be had in one fabulous day.

The River Raft, Race, Mud Wrestling, River It’s a Knock Out,
Kid’s Games, Food to Munch, Family Dog Shows, Tug O’ War,
Fabulous Ferret Racing,Live Music in the Beer Tent!
Plus a gurt amount more...

The Lowland Games 2010 website

Bridgwater College- Cannington

Events at The Walled Gardens of Cannington 2010

Sunday 30 May
Somerset Gardens Trust Open Day and Plant Sales

Monday 31 May – Friday 4 June
Half Term Outdoor Games Week

Monday 16 June – Friday 27 June
Art in the Garden with Somerset Guild of Craftsmen

Sunday 20 June
Fathers Day and Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Saturday 3 July and Sunday 4 July
Summer Craft Fair

Friday 16 July
Open for National Gardens Scheme

Saturday 10 July – Sunday 11 July
‘Hot’ herbaceous boarder weekend – view the boarders at their best

Monday 26 July – Friday 30 July
Family Activity Madness

September – December
Autumn Plant Sale – 30% off selected plants

Friday 3 September
Open for National Garden Scheme

Saturday 4 September – Sunday 5 September
Blue Garden weekend – see it at its best

Monday 20 September – Sunday 26 September
Seed Collecting Week

Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October
Half Term Madness

Saturday 30 October
Halloween Fun

Saturday 27 November & Sunday 28 November
Christmas Craft Fair

Wednesday 15 December
Carols by Candlelight (with mulled wine)