Exmoor Landscape

Allerford and Horner Views, Exmoor

Allerford and Horner Views, Exmoor.

Exmoor landscapes, Allerford Plantation and Horner woods with Porlock and Bossington  villages in the distance.

Exmoor has some stunning views!

Photo by Mark Stothard. http://www.exmoor.photography or http://www.markstothard.com

Exmoor Bah Bah

Young sprint Lamb from Exmoor

Young spring lamb from Exmoor

Looks like winter is going to hit the UK this week.

Are you looking forward to the spring already?

Photo by Mark Stothard www.exmoor.photography

Successful first year for Moor to Enjoy project

Tenpahis November marks the first anniversary of the Moor to Enjoy project. Aiming to increase the mental and physical wellbeing of participants, the project hosts community groups from outside of Exmoor, and enables them to use the open space of the moor as a health and wellbeing resource for the long term by increasing their knowledge of the landscape and the opportunities that the National Park provides.

To celebrate the achievements of the first year, beneficiaries of the project joined together with interested groups, and the projects funders, Somerset and Devon County Councils, at the Lynmouth Pavilion to share the impact that the project has had on them so far. Andrea Davis, Chairman of Exmoor National Park said “it was good to meet up with some of the groups who have benefited from this ground-breaking project on Exmoor, working with the two County Councils we have the only project like this in the country. With rising demand in the NHS it is vital that we all encourage greater responsibility in our own Health and Wellbeing. It is well evidenced that being outside in a natural environment is good for us, meeting the groups and hearing how they have been enjoying Exmoor was an uplifting experience.”

In the first year the project saw groups from Somerset Cancer Care, Live at Home Barnstaple, Wilcombe Primary School and many others visiting. In total 168 individuals were involved, 88% of whom reported having their ‘spirits lifted’ after visiting.

One participant said it was, So enjoyable in so many different ways, listening and being listened to, stimulating, feeling special’. Another, remarking on the range of experiences they enjoyed said ‘’this would not have happened had we not been introduced to Keeley – every experience has had positive and profound impacts on the health and well-being of our families, albeit just through shared laughter. We have been allowed to explore an area of beauty with security and are now becoming independent users of Exmoor as a school, as individual families and as a community. Thank you!”

Among other plans for the second year of this three year project, will be the launch of a green prescription scheme with Dunster Surgery that aims to increase the wellbeing of local people identified as having low mood by increasing their connection with the outdoors.

Louise Finnis, Somerset County Council Health Promotion Manager – mental health, said: “We know that being outside and enjoying nature is both enjoyable and good for us, so we are pleased to be working with Exmoor National Park to promote health in this way.

“There is growing evidence of the great benefits to health and wellbeing in understanding the potential of greenspace to support public health delivery. The Moor to Enjoy Project is reaching out to new groups of people promoting their wellbeing and increasing physical activity and we are very much looking forward to the next year of the project.”

 If you are part of a community project based just outside of the National Park and would like to be involved please contact Keeley Rolfe krolfe@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk for more information. You can also follow her on Twitter @Keeley_ENPA or email Keeley to sign up for the newsletter.

 

The last light of the sun..

  
Valley of Rocks near Lynton.  Photo by Richard Kift.

Exmoor Food Fest 2016: Meet Arthur David

Somerset based wholesale food company Arthur David is once again sponsoring the Exmoor Food Fest which will take place across Exmoor in February 2016.  Without the generous support it would be impossible to run the Food Fest.

History2Many people will know Arthur David the business, as it has operated in and around the South West for the past 53 years, but many may not know the story of the man behind the name.

Arthur is a born & bred Somerset man who started his working life in the Farming industry. He moved to Bristol to marry Diana and joined her family in the fresh produce business.

He soon realised that Fruit & Veg was the life for him and branched out on his own starting Arthur David & Co.

After several years operating from central Bristol, Arthur was missing the countryside12241672_958453700890645_497843768859712263_n and decided to get back to his rural roots and moved out in to the beautiful Chew Valley.

The business was by then well established and the light Blue A.David vans became famous around the area. It is now quite often said that you cannot go 10 minutes in Bristol without seeing one of our brightly liveried vans.

Arthur is by definition a true entrepreneur and always looked for the next product or service he could offer to his customers. Indeed Arthur was the very first person in the region to offer Prepared Vegetables and put significant investment in to a state of the art preparation plant at Bishop Sutton.

Over the years we have seen many different fresh produce suppliers come and go, but Arthur has always held the strong core value of exceptional customer service dear to his heart and has weaved this mentality throughout the business.

Next GenThe business is run today by Arthur’s eldest son Phil who has an even greater desire to see the business his father started flourish. Phil has also inherited the natural “Branson like” entrepreneurial mind-set and continues to innovate to ensure the business is offering its customers just what they require. This has been evident in recent years with the introduction of an extensive Fine Foods product range enabling our clients to place their order right up until 11pm for next day delivery. Never wanting to be second best, Phil has ensured that the business operates at the very highest standards, so things like BRC A grade accreditation, finding the very best team and a fleet of impressive chilled vehicles are a pre-requisite.

PrintThe business has been known for many years as A. David & Co. Ltd but very recently the directors decided to alter the name to Arthur David, Food with Service Ltd. This is a great mix of the traditional and the new and will serve as a legacy to the great work that Arthur started all those years ago.

Phil knows that great people deliver great service so has built a strong team to ensure Arthur David stays at the forefront of the industry. Jon Evans who is today joint MD with Phil also has an unerring passion for Customer Service and believes in their mantra of “Leave it with us” so much; he has it tattooed on his arm!

So all in all the company has a rich history and still remains one of the most important players in the buoyant and exciting Bristol Food scene.

If you are looking for advice, innovation or just great service give us a call, and……………

“LEAVE IT WITH US”

If you are looking for a local supplier of fresh fruit and veg, then give Arthur David a call on 08444 120 555. You can follow them on Twitter @ADavidandCo and find them on Facebook.

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Exmoor Markets at the Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre

We have teamed up with the Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre in Allerford for a number of events in 2016.

banner__014_med-2On 10 February 2016, there will be a pop-up restaurant with Claire’s Kitchen at one of the barns.  Guests will have the opportunity to watch an owl display before sitting down for a mediterranean dinner which will include paella and suckling pig on a spit.  We are still working on the finer details, but will post the menu and everything else you’ll need to know for a fab and unusual evening as soon as possible.  Tickets will be limited and will have to be purchased in advance.  You might like to bear this in mind for a Christmas present!

 

During 2016 we are going to run three Exmoor Markets at the Centre:

Sunday, 13 March 2016 (free entry to the Centre; £5.00 per person for the owl display show)

Sunday, 12 June 2016 (normal admission)

Sunday, 16 October 2016 (free entry to the Centre; £5.00 per person for the owl display show)

If you are a trader (food, street food, arts, craft…), then please email us at exmoor4all@gmail.com, contact us via the link below or download the registration form here: Exmoor Market Reg Form – Falconry

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The latest from Exmoor4all: 16 November 2015

PHoTO OF THE WEEK


This photo of a majestic stag by Liz Mitchell was the most popular on our Facebook page last week.

Greetings from Exmoor

Even though we are well into November now, the weather is still very mild here on Exmoor. Last week’s storms and heavy rainfalls have given way to autumnal sunshine while I’m typing this.

Thank you to all the traders who have been in touch so far with regard to our Exmoor Markets. We are going to get back to you as soon as possible – hopefully we have a full list of venues and dates by the end of this week.  If you know of or own a venue where you would like to host an Exmoor Market, please get in touch with us.

If you are looking for unique presents which are not available on the Highstreet, then our limited edition Exmoor4all calendar might be something for you.  We will also shortly be launching tickets for our celebrity charity ball in February as well as a number of “pop-up restaurant” events which will all take place during the Exmoor Food Fest in February 2016.
We are currently working on an eCommerce website where you will be able to order canvasses of the calendar images.  A portfolio with photographs by some of our Exmoor4all contributors is being built. You will also be able to book activities and events directly through us.  All websites will be accessible via www.exmoor4all.com

We are very lucky to live in this part of the world, and we hope that, wherever you are reading this newsletter, you are well and safe.

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

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

For our 2016 Exmoor Food Fest we have teamed up with Claire Lynch of Claire’s Kitchen for a number of fun events. These include pop-up restaurants in rather unusual locations.
On 10 February 2016 we will be in a barn on the grounds of the Exmoor Falconry in Allerford.  Join us for an Owl Display followed by a delicious meal.
Two weeks later it’s time to visit the Exmoor Pony Whisperer, Dawn Westcott, at her farm at Holt Ball in Luccombe.  Dawn has recently published a book about Exmoor Ponies and was seen a few days ago on ITV This Morning.  Following a talk about Exmoor Ponies we will sit down and eat a fabulous meal.

West Country Food and Farm Tours will be running a number of tours to Exmoor farms in cooperation with the Luttrell Arms in Dunster and The Culbone near Porlock. Dates to be announced very sooon!

These are just a few events to take place during February 2016.  We are currently finalising the list of restaurants offering 2 courses for £10/ 3 courses for £15 during the Exmoor Food Fest across Exmoor.

If you have a venue or an idea how to get involved, please get in touch! Just email us at exmoor4all@gmail.com.

A big thank you to our head sponsor Arthur David without whom the Exmoor Food Fest would not be possible.
All restaurants and events will be listed on the Exmoor Food Fest website.

Coming up:
6 December 2015:       Exmoor Christmas Market at Kentisbury Grange
February 2016:            Exmoor Food Fest all over Exmoor
10 February 2016:       Pop-up Restaurant at the Exmoor Owl Centre, Allerford
27/28 February 2016:  Dunster Food Festival

We are waiting to confirm the dates for “Exmoor Stars”, our Celebrity Charity Ball, as well as a number of other pop-up restaurants at various barns on Exmoor which will all take place during the Exmoor Food Fest in February 2016.

In 2016 we are launching Exmoor Markets – events at a number of locations across Exmoor featuring local produce and crafts.  We are currently working on a website while finalising the dates and venues.
If you are a local food producer or know of someone who makes arts and crafts
or sells home made food products, please send us an email to exmoor4all@gmail.com.
Exmoor Markets coming up:
06 December 2015            Exmoor Christmas Market at Kentisbury Grange
27&28 February 2016:      Exmoor Market at the Dunster Food Festival
10 March 2016:                  Exmoor Market at the Exmoor Falconry, Allerford
12 June 2016:                     Exmoor Market at the Exmoor Falconry, Allerford
16 October 2016:              Exmoor Market at the Exmoor Falconry, Allerford

***  THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTACTED US SO FAR –
WE WILL BE IN TOUCH SHORTLY ***

Magical woodlands

Above the East Lyn. Photo by Richard Kift

Above the East Lyn.
Photo by Richard Kift

Woodland Management at Exmoor National Park

An interview with Graeme McVittie, Exmoor National Park Authority Woodland Conservation Manager about how Exmoor’s woodlands are managed

Fog’s arising….

  
Fog was filling Exmoor combes and valleys last week.

Photo: Liz Mitchell