![]() We are facing an immediate and critical financial crisis. Without raising £500,000 by August 31st 2024, we will have no choice but to close our doors forever. DONATE NOW For almost 30 years, our centre has been a vital source of transformative outdoor adventures for individuals with disabilities. We’ve offered life-changing experiences through accessible activities like horse riding, zip-lining, climbing and canoeing, among others. Our mission has always been to foster independence and build confidence, and we’ve proudly provided these opportunities to so many incredible people. The situation we face The current economic climate has presented us with severe challenges meaning we are now at crisis point: Decline in Tourism: The South West tourism sector has been hit especially hard this year by weather issues and increased competition from overseas travel. Inflationary Pressures: The costs of running our centre have risen sharply due to inflation. Essentials like food, fuel, maintenance, and wages have all become more expensive, putting a strain on our finances. How your donations will help To overcome these challenges and secure our future, we have launched a Crowdfunder campaign with a target of £500,000. This desperately needed money will be used to: Keep Our Doors Open: We need cash now to enable us to stay operational over the winter months. We have a fantastic number of bookings for 2025 already, but without this money now, the centre will close and our excited guests will miss out on their opportunity to flourish through their upcoming breaks. Keep our Horses Safe: With 14 horses in our care, one of our top priorities is ensuring that these cherished animals can stay on site and remain cared for by our dedicated and passionate equestrian team of staff, volunteers and community members. If Calvert Exmoor closes, our horses will be considered assets and no longer remain in our care, making their future uncertain. Explore New Opportunities: We want to invest in new bunkhouse accommodation which will enable us to tap into new markets and create an immediate sustainable future. Note, if the target isn’t reached and the centre closes, your donation amount will be returned to you by Crowdfunder.In the past 18 months, Calvert Exmoor has made remarkable strides, thanks to the incredible support of our dedicated community of staff, volunteers and donors. We’ve successfully launched a new website, introduced exciting new activities like rafting and outdoor crate-stacking, and upgraded our facilities with cutting-edge accessibility equipment and a new community sensory room.We are delivering ambitious plans to diversify our offer and secure a sustainable future, however, we have unfortunately run out of time to reap the rewards from investments leaving us in a critical position.We now face an urgent need for emergency funding to carry us through the winter season and enable us to keep our doors open to those who rely on us.This is a community effort. Calvert Exmoor enables people from all over the UK and in the local North Devon community to access invaluable experiences. We have always believed that it’s what you CAN do that counts! We need this campaign to reach our goal and secure the future of the centre, so that our valued guests can remain a part of the Calvert Exmoor family. Every share, every connection, every piece of advice helps.Please join us in this mission. Together, we can ensure that Calvert Exmoor continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for those who need it most.To support our campaign, please donate now or get in touch ASAP with other ideas. fundraising@calvert-trust.org.uk | 01598 763221Thank you for your support.The Calvert Exmoor TeamDONATE NOWWe are committed to delivering bookings already made for as long as we’re able to, but it would be unethical of us to take any new bookings or payments until we are confident that we will be able to deliver them.For booking enquires or questions, please contactreceptionexmoor@calvert-trust.org.ukor phone 01598 763221 between 9am and 6pmwith any questions you may have. Recent successes…let’s keep these wins going, together ![]() New horses New horses Harold, Indie and Saffie have settled in well with stable life and regular riding sessions with guests ![]() New sensory room The sensory room is now under the sea. It has been painted, refreshed and refilled with new sensory experiences ![]() New bikes Thanks to ongoing fundraising and donations we can continue updating the fleet of bikes ![]() New carriage This purpose-built carriage is wonderful! Our thanks to Pets Foundation and Bennington Carriages for making it happen. ![]() New outdoor crate stack AND rafting The outdoor crate stack is finally in use! See how long you can stay on top of the ever-growing tower before it topples, leaving you floating in the air with views accross the reservoir. AND we recently put some new rafts on the water for a second water based activity – a splashing good time has been had by all so far! The next success needs to be the biggest ever!Please do what you can to help us reach £500,000 DONATE NOW Charity No 1005776 Copyright (C) 2024 Calvert Exmoor. All rights reserved. |
Category: General
2018 Exmoor4all Calendar is ready for pre-orders
During July, many of you submitted many stunning photos of Exmoor through the seasons in our photo competition. 13 images were chosen for the 2018 Exmoor4all calendar which is now available for pre-order.
This year’s calendar is Double A4 in size (A3 when hanging, 250gsm silk finish) which helps the image to stand out. On the bottom half is lots of space for notes. We have opted against advertising this year. The calendar comes with a strong cardboard envelope. Hopefully the calendar should be with you by the beginning of October.
***FREE SHIPPING ****
From the shortlist an independent jury chose these fantastic photos – congratulations to Michael Brooks (Cover), Rob Davey (January), Linda Thompson (February), Debbie J. Luckson (March), Andrew de Mora (April), Jo Hackman (May), Jochen Langbein (June), Leanna Coles (July), Richard Williams (August), Gaynor Gough (September), Elma Vonk (October), Helen Baggott (November) and Craig Stone (December).
The latest from Exmoor4all
We have been busy…
The Exmoor Food Fest preparations are gathering pace. We have just signed off a campaign on The Breeze starting on 4 January 2016 to shout out about a month long celebration of the best our region has to offer.
Participating restaurants will be offering two courses for £10.00/ three courses for £15.00, and we are finalising exciting events which include gin tasting, oyster and champagne feasts, evenings with local authors, dining experiences in unusual locations and so much more.
The Dunster Food Festival, which is taking over the whole of Dunster at the end of February, is going to be foodie heaven.
Fingers crossed we will be able to give you all the details about the Gourmet Trains which will be run by West Somerset Railway in February – all we can say at the moment is that award winning chefs will be cooking on these trains.
The website www.exmoorfoodfest.com will be updated regularly – please keep checking it out for the latest information.
The Exmoor Food Fest (or Exmoor4all for that matter) does not receive any official funding. Without the generous help from Arthur David – Food with Service we would not be able to run this food festival.
Thank you all for your ongoing support!
PS You can subscribe to our newsletter here – that way you will not miss out on any updates.
***
Here are some of our upcoming events:
£30.00 per person (incl. two course dinner)
The Beatles and The Stones – The two bands that have defined popular music were often pitted against one another during the Sixties.
Richard Havers, who has written extensively about both bands and worked for them on various projects, delves into their enduring appeal and unravels some of the mystery as to what makes them so timeless. With music and photographs.
Tickets are available from The Culbone: Call 01643 862259
Exmoor on a Plate: Oysters & Champage
More details coming soon…. It will be a great opportunity to taste Porlock Oysters. Make sure you don’t miss out and book your place now.
Call 01643 862259 (The Culbone)
“Barn Food” with Claire’s Kitchen
An amazing meal in very unusual surroundings, that’s Claire’s Kitchen’s pop-up restaurant in one of the medieval barns at the Exmoor Owl & Hawk Centre in Allerford on 10 February. Tickets are selling fast – don’t leave it too late. Click here to book your place.
Photo of the Week

Early November morning. Photo by Bob Cowlard.
The latest from Exmoor4all
PHOTO OF THE WEEK

This photo of Prayway Head near Simonsbath by Robert Hatton was the most popular image on our Facebook page last week. It had 1159 likes and was shared 146 times.
Exmoor Food Fest 2016
During February 2016, restaurants across Exmoor will be offering 2 courses for £10.00/ 3 courses for £15.00. There will also be a number of events during this time to celebrate the best Exmoor has to offer.
We are busy with signing up restaurants and updating the website with the latest information. I can confirm that Michelin starred chef Mark Dodson (Mason Arms, Knowstone) will be taking part again as will The Coach House by Michael Caines at Kentisbury Grange and Thomas Carr of the Olive Room in Ilfracombe. The latter has just been listed in the Michelin Guide. You can now book the “Barn Food” experience with Claire’s Kitchen at the Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre online – it will make a brilliant Christmas present! Don’t forget to put the Dunster Food Festival on 27/28 February into your diary. We have already got a fantastic offer of street food and local produce booked in. More details to be announced as soon as possible. Please get in touch if you have any ideas or would like to be involved in Exmoor4all and the Exmoor Food Fest.
Wishing you all a good week,

Join us for an evening with a difference, a one-off experience, which involves a stunning, albeit unusual location, an owl display and, of course, fabulous Mediterranean food prepared by Claire’s Kitchen. It will be a night to remember!
Menu:
Canapés
Roasted red peppers and anchovy salad on roasted garlic toasts
Chorizo tortilla with allioli
Sharing Starters
Pea soup with a crispy serrano ham crouton and basil oil
Gambas pil pil (sizzling gambas prawns)
Piquillo rellenos de queso de cabra (goats cheese stuffed piquillo peppers)
Sharing Mains
Suckling pig cooked whole on a spit with a mediterranean herb and garlic marinate
Red pepper and halloni paella on a rich Sofrito base
Chorizo with tomato butter beans, parsley and Claire’s Kitchen Lynch cider
Poor man’s potatoes cooked with the suckling pig with onions, rosemary and garlic
Dessert
Almond cake with Crema Catalina ice cream, custard caramel and a cherry compote
Tickets: £32.00
(Includes Owl Display and everything on menu – all dietary requirements are catered for, but please advise in advance)
Cash bar.
* Tickets will be posted at the beginning of December 2015 in time for Christmas

Would you like to be involved?
We have still space for street food traders and local producers.
Email us at exmoor4all@gmail.com

The Exmoor4all calendar costs £7.50 plus p&p.
You can order it online on our website – click here

Sponsor of the Exmoor Food Fest 2016
BBC2 is looking for Kitchen Gardeners
Happy New Year!
Wishing you all a fabulous, healthy, fun and prosperous 2014! Thank you for supporting us in 2013: our first year has just been amazing.

Photo by Helen Ash, Twitchen Farm http://www.twitchen.co.uk
The End of the Line
May Sunset
Friday Ramblings
After a very gloomy start to the day May eventually decided to look its part this afternoon – blue sky, buzzing bees, bluebells and singing birds made this Friday rather pleasant. The weather forecast for Saturday is promising – Sunday’s outlook depends on which forecast we look at, so fingers crossed, the one saying that it will be sunny with clouds is correct.
A Day out on Exmoor

80th Anniversary Exmoor Rally by the Frazer Nash Car Club. Photo by John McGowan






Charity No 1005776 Copyright (C) 2024 Calvert Exmoor. All rights reserved.



