Tag: Half-term

The Exmoor Coast Festival, 23 – 31 May 2015

PrintFrom crabbing to kayaking and walking to photography, the Exmoor Coast Festival celebrates all the wonderful things to do along our stunning coastline. The event is coordinated by Bryan Cath for Exmoor Tourism and there is something for everyone to enjoy, mostly free, from Ilfracombe in the west to Watchet in the east.

For those who have lots of energy there are some challenging activities to try their hand at with qualified trainers. Probably the most daring is coasteering at Hele Bay near Ilfracombe on Tuesday 26 May – this is rock climbing, but sideways with the sea always close by. For those who want to try out vertical rock climbing then the Valley of Rocks on Thursday 28 May is the place to go. There are two opportunities to try out kayaking, at Lee Bay near Lynton on Wednesday 27 May and Combe Martin on Thursday 28 May. For the bikers there’s a guided mountain bike ride around Horner near Porlock on Monday 25 May.  And there’s an opportunity to try coarse fishing at Slade Reservoir on Wednesday 27 May with a South West Lakes ranger.

There are a variety of walks, one around Lee Abbey near Lynton on Saturday 23 May, takes in the grounds of the abbey, which are not normally open to the public. On Thursday 28 May there is a coastal walk around Porlock and at Combe Martin a walk find out about the trades and settlements heritage walk. For those who want to stretch their legs there’s a challenging walk along the rugged coast path on Selworthy Beacon with the Exmoor Society on Saturday 30 May.

Bryan Cath says: “The range of events on offer is astonishing and we do hope that people will come along and join in as many as possible.”

For those with smaller children there are several events taking place which will be perfect. On Saturday 23 May Combe Martin celebrates Hunting the Earl of Rone where children can join in the Junior Party Day and on Monday see the main parade through the length of the village. On Sunday 24 May there is a charity duck race at Porlock. On Monday 25 May there is a beach safari at Lynmouth with a National Park Ranger and a sandcastle competition at Combe Martin beach. On Thursday 28 May join in a free day with the National Park on their Big Adventure Day at Lynmouth. On Friday 29 May you can join the Devon Wildlife Trust in a Shoresearch looking for pond-life at Lynmouth. On Saturday 30 May why not join in the Exmoor World Championship Crabbing Competition at Porlock Weir. At Combe Martin Museum you can join in a fun afternoon at the Children’s Activity Workshop.

Running throughout the Coast Festival is an art exhibition at Contains Art at Watchet. This displays artists’ impressions of the geology of the impressive rock formations in that area, our own Jurassic coast. There will also be a barbecue with music and activities on Saturday 30 May at Watchet. Somerset Wildlife Trust are putting on an exhibition of coast art and marine wildlife at Porlock on Wednesday 27 May.

The National Park’s Lynmouth Pavilion is putting on various events throughout the Coast Festival. On Saturday 23 you can enjoy songs, stories and pictures celebrating the history of Exmoor. On Monday 25 May come and see the film about the amazing feat of endurance when the Louisa Lifeboat was hauled from Lynmouth to Porlock Weir to save a stricken ship. On Wednesday 27 May meet the Coastguards and discover the challenges they face on our dangerous coast. On Thursday 28 May in the evening come and enjoy some stunning photography taken around the National Park by Dr Nigel Stone from Exmoor National Park.

There are some more relaxing events taking place. On Monday 25 May in the afternoon enjoy the open gardens at Woolhanger near Parracombe with craft stalls and cream teas. We all love our cream teas and there are more at the Sail Loft at Combe Martin Museum on Tuesday 26 May in the morning. On Thursday 28 May at The Ship in Porlock Weir come and join in some sea shanties in the evening. On Friday 29 May go along to the Regal Theatre in Minehead for an enchanting puppet show about the Musicians of Bremen. On Saturday 30 May visit the Knitting Workshop in Combe Martin to brush up on your skills. Closing the festival on Sunday 31 May is an afternoon of music, readings and more cream teas at St Mary’s Church at Lynton.

The Coast Festival is supported by Exmoor Tourism, Exmoor National Park Partnership Fund and South West Water, for more details of the Coast Festival visit www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/coast-fest

* * *

More information

To find out full details of each event please visit http://www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/coast-fest or the full listings at http://www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/types/coast-festival/map

A5 double-sided leaflets will be distributed throughout the area promoting the event.

The festival is co-ordinated by Bryan Cath for Exmoor Tourism. Contact Bryan at bryan@westcountrywalks.co.uk or 01271 883131.

News from the Exmoor National Park Authority

Half term fun for all the family

Wednesday 30 October  will be the final chance this year to enjoy a BIG Adventure Day – taking place from 10am at Webbers Post, near Wheddon Cross, in Exmoor National Park. Hundreds of people have enjoyed the previous Big Adventure Days so far this year and more are planned for 2014.

National Park Ranger Adam Vasey says: “We’ve got a great selection of activities this year including the Family Orienteering course run by 1610, walks by National Trust Rangers and all the usual range of fun, family friendly games and activities.

“As a special treat, the lead artist on the Coleridge Way project, Christopher Jelley, will be talking about his QR Code Poetry and also the story boxes which were located along the trail this summer. The story boxes have now been retrieved and will be on display for you to read the stories which blossomed inside. The premise was simple, find the box, read the story so far, add a few words or a drawing but no more, then leave for the next walker.”

Anyone wishing to try out the QR Code poetry (square bar codes) should bring along a smart phone with an app for scanning bar codes to reveal the words. The words were written by the three local First Schools who journeyed along the trail and into the Somerset countryside. Christopher then rendered the poems into QR codes and reinstalled them along the Coleridge Way. The poetry on the Jubilee Hut at Webbers Post was written by Porlock St Dubricius School, though Dunster and Nether Stowey school poetry will also be available to view on the day.  More about Christopher diverse projects can be seen on his web site www.storywalks.info

There is car parking and toilet facilities on site – for more information please contact the National Park Centre at Dulverton, phone 01398 323841.

A limited number of Tramper all-terrain mobility buggies will be available for hire at this event for free, but should be booked in advance. For more details contact Countryside Mobility on 01392 459222 or 07841 204397, info@countrysidemobility.org or visit www.countrysidemobility.org

 

Autumn Colour

Make the most of  the Autumn colour on Tuesday 29 October at 10am and join a National Park Ranger for an Ode to Autumn, a circular walk with stunning views over ancient woodland. Meet at the National Park Centre (sea front) at the new Lynmouth Pavilion. Bring a snack and a hot drink for a walk of about 3hr/4.5 miles. Please wear walking boots and suitable clothing, dogs are welcome. For more information call the Centre on 01598 752509.