Media Release: Adventurous families wanted for Exmoor Discovery Week

Exmoor Discovery Week is four days of environmental adventures, conservation challenges and moorland expeditions. The course is organised and led by local nature experts from the Field Studies Council at Nettlecombe Court, the Heart of Exmoor project and Exmoor National Park.

Families will take part in a series of adventures, including exploring ancient trees, barefoot bog walking, bracken bashing and butterfly surveys. Activities are designed around achieving the John Muir Discovery Award, an environmental award focusing on discovering, exploring and conserving wild places.

Lucy Hellier from Nettlecombe Court says: “Exmoor Discovery Week is always a great few days and an absolute bargain at £25 per family, thanks to support from the Heart of Exmoor project. If your family loves getting muddy and enjoying the great outdoors then this week is definitely for you”.

Exmoor Discovery Week runs from Monday 12th to Thursday 15th August at various locations around Exmoor. It is suitable for children 7 and over, who must be accompanied by an adult. For more information or to book please contact Lucy Hellier on 01984 640320 or email lucy.nc@field-studies-council.org. Only 25 places are available, so anyone interested should book now to avoid disappointment.

Media Release: The 2013 Exmoor Pony Festival

ENPAThe 2013 Exmoor Pony Festival will take place Saturday 24 August – Sunday 1 September at Exmoor National Park, the home of the famous Exmoor Pony. A week full of special events and activities will celebrate and rediscover the unique pony breed, and the dedicated people who take care of the free-roaming moorland herds. The festival is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Heart of Exmoor scheme.

EP close upJason Ball, Heart of Exmoor scheme manager announced: “There’s fun to be had with safaris, rides and family-friendly days, and some serious events with an exhibition of prize-winning ponies from different moorland herds, also an astounding demonstration of horsemanship skills and a dedicated behaviour workshop. I believe the Exmoor Pony Festival will make a lasting impression and is bound to change people’s views of these unique ponies.”

“Exmoor ponies deserve a festival – this ancient rare breed is renowned for its intelligence and an ability to withstand the harsh conditions of the Exmoor uplands, and it is the closest relative of the Northwest European prehistoric horse.”

There is something happening every day – the 2013 Exmoor Pony Festival events will include an art exhibition, a fun day, a pleasure ride, photo safaris, walks, and a Pony Liberty and Agility demonstration with the twice-world-champion Exmoor Pony stallion Hawkwell Versuvius. For those keen to develop their own skills in this area, book your place on a dedicated behaviour and handling workshop, led by Dawn Westcott. For those with a keen interest in the breed, come to the ‘meet the herds’ event to find out more about the local breeding bloodlines, and how to buy and care for an Exmoor Pony.

EPsJoining the Heart of Exmoor scheme in organising the festival are the Exmoor Pony Society, the Moorland Mousie Trust, the Exmoor Pony Club and the Exmoor National Park Authority, as well as numerous volunteers, and the managers of Exmoor’s moorland herds. Behind the picturesque scenes of Exmoor Ponies on moorland is an army of farmers, volunteers, inspectors and rangers who all work to secure the future of the free-roaming Exmoor Pony.

For more details please visit http://exmoorponyfestival.org.uk or call 01398 323841 or find the festival on Facebook. (Please note: several events require you to book in advance.)

Event details

Sat 24 Aug, Exmoor Pony Safaris. Booking essential – only 5 places per tour. Safari with Experience Exmoor on a wonderful trip to seek out, admire and take beautiful photographs of the world famous free-roaming Exmoor Ponies. Driving as close as we can in our Land Rover Discovery, we will also get out of the vehicle as much as possible. Please bring your camera, suitable clothing according to weather and firm footwear. Beverages on board, but feel free to bring your own too. We can provide some binoculars. Starts from Lynmouth National Park Centre. Book now: 01271 889316 or 07854 666 800 email: info@experienceexmoor.co.uk special offer £10 per person!

Sun 25 Aug, 3pm- 5pm, Exmoor Pony Club Liberty & Agility Demonstration. Booking essential. Exmoor Pony stallion Hawkwell Versuvius ‘Bear’ and Dawn Westcott (twice International Horse Agility World Champions) show how to establish connection and trust between horse and handler so the horse can work loose, navigating obstacles and understanding what’s being asked of him. Venue indoors, not weather-dependent. Viewing area, toilet facilities, coffee/tea, etc, on site. Plenty of parking. Location: Holtball Exmoor Pony Stud, Holt Ball Farm, Luccombe, Minehead TA24 8SZ. FREE (donations welcome) but places are limited and advance booking is essential. No entries at the gate. Please contact Dawn Westcott on 01643 862785 / marketing@equinetourism.co.uk to secure your place. (See exmoorponyclub.co.uk for more info.)

Monday 26 Aug – Saturday 31 Aug, Art Exhibition. Guildhall Heritage and Arts Centre. Open 10am – 4pm. A combination of works by modern artists and treasured pieces collected by Exmoor Pony enthusiasts will be on display. Admission is FREE (donations welcome).  Location: behind the National Park Centre just off Fore Street, Dulverton, TA22 9EX. Web: dulvertonheritagecentre.org.uk

Mon 26 Aug, Hawkridge Revel and Gymkhana. A village event held every August Bank Holiday Monday. There are Exmoor Ponies competing in the show. Look out for Jacky Ablett and Gill Langdon at the ‘Friends of Exmoor Ponies’ display. A few of their Exmoor Ponies will be the show, and if you are keen to buy a pony, ask about the moorland herds. Contact the show secretary for details on 01398 341520.

Tues 27 Aug, 2pm-4pm, Meet the Herds at Cutcombe Market. This year’s Festival provides a unique opportunity to see ponies from the moorland herds on display. Learn about the heritage of each herd, and meet the people who take care of them. An ideal event for discovering how to buy and care for an Exmoor Pony. Location: Cutcombe Market, Wheddon Cross, TA24 7DT. FREE (donations welcome). Enquiries 0845 607 5350.

Tues 27 Aug, Exmoor Pony Safaris. Booking essential – only 5 places per tour. Safari with Experience Exmoor on a wonderful trip to seek out, admire and take beautiful photographs of the world famous free-roaming Exmoor Ponies. Driving as close as we can in our Land Rover Discovery, we will also get out of the vehicle as much as possible. Please bring your camera, suitable clothing according to weather and firm footwear. Beverages on board, but feel free to bring your own too. We can provide some binoculars. Starts from Lynmouth National Park Centre. Book now: 01271 889316 or 07854 666 800 email: info@experienceexmoor.co.uk special offer £10 per person!

Wed 28 Aug, 2pm start, Accessible Exmoor Pony Walk. Come and join Linzi Green – Exmoor Pony Officer – for a short walk and talk about the National Park Authority owned herd of Exmoor ponies on Haddon Hill. Location: Haddon Hill car park, just off the B3190. FREE (donations welcome). All-terrain wheelchairs can be booked in advance – please call 01392 459222. General enquiries 01398 323841.

Thurs 29 Aug, 1pm-4pm, Cream Teas and Crafts at the Exmoor Pony Centre. Children’s activities, cakes and refreshments. Craft activities with a ‘Perfect Ponies’ theme. Meet the staff and ponies. Pony rides and pony grooming. Location: the Exmoor Pony Centre, near Dulverton, TA22 9QE. Admission is free. There is a small charge for activities. Contact the centre on 01398 323093 or info@exmoorponycentre.org.uk for details.

Fri 30 Aug, 2pm-6pm, Liberty Training & Behaviour Workshop. Booking essential. Explore how to train your horses and ponies to work at liberty, with twice International Horse Agility world champion & Reiki Master, Dawn Westcott, at Holt Ball Farm, home of the Holtball Exmoor Pony Stud & Exmoor Pony Club. Looking at behavioural considerations, the language of Equus and the groundwork and warm up exercises that lead to being able to turn loose. Venue indoors, so not weather-dependent. Light refreshments provided and toilet facilities on site. Plenty of parking.  Location: Holt Ball Farm, Luccombe, Minehead TA24 8SZ. Special ‘half price’ Exmoor Pony Festival rate of £25 per person. Places limited so please book early. Contact Dawn Westcott on 01643 862785 / marketing@equinetourism.co.uk to secure your place, and get details about what to wear, insurance, etc. (Visit exmoorponyclub.co.uk for more info.)

Sat 31 Aug, 10am-4pm, North Hill Big Adventure, Minehead. Family games and events lasting all day. Meet an Exmoor Pony and watch the local moorland herd. See the wartime heritage of North Hill brought to life with vintage vehicles and living history displays. Please wear outdoor clothing and suitable footwear. Car park and toilet facilities available on site. FREE (donations welcome). Accessible; Dogs welcome; Trampers available. General enquiries 01398 323841.

Sat 31 Aug, 11am start, Exmoor Pony Fun Day. All are welcome for a day of fun activities. Come along and see how versatile these ponies are as they undertake an obstacle course, the cider trot, the Gatherer’s challenge, fancy dress and pony races. There will also be a fun dog show. Location: Mounsey Hill Gate, in a lovely field next to the Winsford Hill moors. Approach along the B3223, turn at the sign for the Exmoor Pony Centre, and you will see the field. FREE (donations welcome). Enquiries 0845 607 5350.

Sat 31 Aug, 7pm, Quiz Night at the Green Room! Join us at the Green Room, a lovingly restored building at the Exmoor Pony Centre. Free entry (donations welcome). Enquiries 0845 607 5350. Map/directions from exmoorponycentre.org.uk or call 01398 323093.

Sun 1 Sept, 11am start, Exmoor Pony Pleasure Ride.  Booking essential. Bring your trusty steed – no, you don’t have to ride an Exmoor! Walkers also welcome. Be ready for any weather. Starting from Mounsey Hill Gate near Winsford Hill. Approach along the B3223, turn at the sign for the Exmoor Pony Centre, and you will soon see the field. FREE (donations welcome). Please call 0845 607 5350 to book a place.

 

Exmoor Pony and her foal

Photo by Peter French

Photo by Peter French

Educators enjoy Moorland Classroom “Twilight Taster”

ENPA

 

Thirty teachers, home educators and volunteers enjoyed a Moorland Classroom “Twilight Taster” at Dunkery Hill on Tuesday 11June to try out new outdoor learning activities about Exmoor National Park published by the Heart of Exmoor scheme. The taster sessions help educators to test out the free new Moorland Classroom web resources.

The evening involved a walk to Dunkery Beacon from the Dunkery gate car park, whilst along the way looking at different types of vegetation of the moorland using a quadrat; measuring the gradient of the footpath; and even having a close encounter with a resident herd of red deer.  Participants included teachers, home schooling parents and volunteers from the Exmoor Volunteer Partnership and local experts from the Field Studies Council and the National Trust.

The Moorland Classroom is going from strength to strength having now achieved over 4,000 lessons. The project has free online resources specifically designed for teachers to use with pupils both in the classroom and in support of outdoor learning at fantastic moorland locations across Exmoor. The materials feature photos, videos, Google Earth exercises, maps and cross-curricular enquiries that are accessible to pupils of Primary and Middle School age. Each examines key themes, such as moorland landscapes, heritage and wildlife, and why Exmoor National Park is such a special place.

Josh Wedderkopp, a teacher from Stogumber and Crowcombe C of E Primary School who attended the twilight taster session said:  “We are passionate about creating every opportunity we can to enable our pupils to learn outside. I can highly recommend the Moorland Classroom resources to other schools. The Dunkery Moorland Classroom Twilight Taster has been invaluable for me as a teacher and I strongly recommend these free sessions to other teachers.”

David Rolls, Moorland Education and Outreach Officer said:  “If you just do one thing today, Google ‘Moorland Classroom’ and see these amazing free resources. Check out our training dates, loan boxes and travel bursaries! We are so grateful to our funders the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Exmoor Trust, and Exmoor National Park’s Sustainable Development Fund for supporting this work.”

The next Moorland Classroom Twilight Taster will focus upon Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 and will be on Haddon Hill, overlooking Wimbleball Reservoir, on Tuesday 2 July starting at 4:30pm. Everyone is welcome to this event, including teachers, volunteers, children, parents, and even dogs; so please come along.  This is followed by an additional evening seminar for teachers on Wednesday 10 July in Tiverton focusing upon Key Stage 3 and 4 resources for secondary schools.  Booking essential for both events – please call 01398 322164 or visit www.heartofexmoor.org.uk for details.

 

 

 

 

The End of the Line

105 Rosie Schneider End of the line Minehead station

Minehead Station. Photo by Rosie Schneider

 

 

Moon over Minehead

Photo by Rosie Schneider

Photo by Rosie Schneider

Looking down from Lynton

Photo by Don Foden

Photo by Don Foden

Letter from Exmoor: On safari into a secret world

3 Comments

4 stallions

Hi, my name is Christel. If you go out on safari with us it is highly likely that you will not see me as it is Neil, my husband who is our safari guide & driver. I do the office work and spend more time than I would like behind the computer. Sometimes though I get the chance to go out with Neil on our own private safari and I love those occasions!

Today we packed our picnic basket with a thermos of coffee and biscuits and headed out inland onto the moor, to do a recce on an off-road track for which we recently got access rights on limited times throughout the year.

As soon as I opened the gate onto the track, I saw a small group of Exmoor Pony Stallions gazing at us in their curious and friendly way. They were surrounded by cotton grass as far as the eye could reach, as well as a variety of birds and butterflies, like buzzards, swallows, skylarks and meadow pipit. The bumpy track winds its way down to a magical remote valley by the river Barle. On the descent we spotted a group of red deer higher up. They stared at us for a while before one by one they started to jump over a fence to get out of sight.

Once we were by the river, we nestled down on our picnic rug among the high moorgrass next to the beautiful river with crystal clear water. We drank our coffee and took in the stunning scenery in this secluded spot.  Between the rocks and wind-sculpted trees on the opposite hillside, some black cattle were grazing and not taking much notice of us. Soon we were back on our feet to go and explore the riverside. The sound of cascading water running down from various streams to join the river was amazing – wild but so peaceful at the same time! Birds and insects were everywhere and we could both sit there all day to just discover and look at everything that is going on. An old (closed) footbridge over the river adds to the scenery. Closed mine shafts on the hillside give a sense of mystery and make you wonder where the tunnels go to & what happened here in the past. Beautiful wild trumpet-shaped flowers of mimulus were waving in the breeze, rooted among the rocks in the middle of the Barle. As I was standing there next to the footbridge admiring it all, suddenly a bright blue bird flew right passed me, flying fast just above the middle of the river for as far as I could see. I nearly yelled out loud: ‘WAW a Kingfisher!!!’  Even though, unfortunately, I didn’t get it on camera and only saw its back – striking blue – I was thrilled, as I had never seen one before!

All too soon it was time to head home. I have decided I am going to book a safari on Exmoor with my husband more often!

 

Posted on www.experienceexmoor.co.uk on 25 June 2013

NewsFlash: Pips Fish Opens in Minehead 9 July

Basic CMYK

 

New restaurant & takeaway promotes fresh and sustainable seafood menu

 

Pips Fish (www.PipsFish.co.uk) a brand new fish & chip restaurant from the team behind award-winning The Culbone, opens its doors just in time for the summer season in Minehead on Thursday 11 July. This exciting new 36 seat licensed restaurant and takeaway at 35, The Avenue fulfils a long-held dream of Executive Head Chef Jack Scarterfield who is determined to share his passion for fresh and sustainable sea food.

 

“The seafood available in the South west is excellent,” says Scarterfield, a Somerset lad whose experience in London and Thailand and famous restaurant group Fishworks has already stood him in good stead during themed Seafood Nights and Cookery master- classes at The Culbone. “We have done our research and will be able to offer a great choice of top quality fresh fish all from sustainable and responsible sources. Our Bass and Bream are farmed locally from the sea to the plate in hours, succulent Scallops come from Lyme Bay, and fresh Squid, Sole, Pollack, Whiting, Mullet and John Dory (to name but a few) come from the Brixham day boats. Cod and Haddock will arrive from Norway – the only MSC approved sustainable fishing grounds at the moment. And our smoked fish (salmon, haddock, sprats and eels) is to be cured and smoked by Jacqui of local company El Pescadero.”

 

All the battered takeaway fish will be coated in Jack’s Exmoor Ale batter and fried in a flavoursome oil which can be enjoyed by all. The Team carried out an extensive local survey to ask whether Pips Fish should use oil or beef dripping and the response was overwhelmingly in favour of the oil.

 

Listening to their customers is something that The Culbone team do very well and has already contributed to the success of Exmoor’s highest restaurant with rooms. “Very early on we created Pips Club at The Culbone to encourage local people to get involved with the business,” says General Manager Mark Sanders. “We now have over 1,200 members and their suggestions have been invaluable to us. In return we make sure that they get to hear first about our very best special offers and new ventures.”

 

Mark is committed to keeping it local and Pips Fish will be supporting the RNLI service and the essential work they do by donating 10p from every purchase of local fish to the Minehead station. They will also be supporting Minehead Cricket Club and Bowling Club with annual sponsorship. A new team of talented young people from Minehead and Watchet are being trained up to staff the premises.

 

The restaurant site has been completely refurbished and a new skylight added which will provide a light and airy interior. The décor has been influenced by the clean blue and white designs of the Brixham Fish market which sells some of the finest fish in the UK. There are 36 seats inside and 32 outside where those ordering from the takeaway service are welcome to use. The restaurant and takeaway will be open from 9 July onwards Tuesdays to Saturdays 12 noon – 10pm and on Sundays 12 noon to 5pm.

 

Pips Fish, 35 The Avenue, Minehead, TA24 5AY www.pipsfish.com 01643 708353 (Taking bookings from 24th June)

 

 

Marsh Stone

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