MORE than 150 events are being staged across the county to celebrate the fourth Somerset Day.
And people have taken to the occasion so well that the fun takes place before, on and after the official Somerset Day on Friday (May 11).
Taunton, as the county town, leads the way with events for all tastes, including a repeat of the Eat Taunton Festival, in Hammet Street on Saturday (May 12), which last year saw a footfall of 20,000.
The County Gazette is joining in the fun and staff will be in Tesco on Friday handing out goody bags, after which anyone can pop into the Castle Hotel for a special Somerset apple afternoon tea.
Also just announced is Arabian racing on Sunday at Taunton Racecourse.
Nigel Muers-Raby, chairman of organisers Passion for Somerset, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the interest being shown right across the county this year.
"There really is going to be something for everyone and we hope as many people as possible will enjoy celebrating Somerset Day.
In the lead up to the big day, the county council has been running the World Cup of Somerset contest, asking people to nominate what they love most about Somerset.
The final poll will be unveiled on Friday.
EVENTS.
THURSDAY, MAY 10:
Made in Somerset, The White Hart and ACEarts, Somerton 10am-3pm. Over 30 Artisan stalls - contemporary crafts, gifts, food and produce, raising funds for Etatu charity. Coffee, browse and shop. Entry free.
Somerset birthday party and Somerset celebrations, The Emporium, Mantle Street, Wellington 5pm - 8.30pm. Third anniversary celebrations - complementary bubbly for everyone who attends.
FRIDAY. MAY 11 - MONDAY, MAY 14.
Open garden, Little Yarford Farmhouse, Nr Kingston St Mary TA2 8AN 2-5pm, five acres of delight to both artist and plantsman. Cream teas in aid of Cothelstone Church. Refreshments, preserves and plants Entrance £5; children free; in aid of the NGS.
FRIDAY, MAY 11 – SUNDAY, MAY 13.
FRIDAY, MAY 11.
A-Z Challenge A social media A to Z challenge starting at 7am and finishing at 8pm. The aim is to visit as many different businesses over the course of the day throughout Somerset, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet.
Summer Lunchtime Concert at St John's Church, Park Street, Taunton 12.45-13.45pm. Gibby Swaine and Sue Watts have invited The StoggyMen, from Stogumber, to join a programme that will explore the wealth of traditional Somerset music. Tom Mayberry, will take us back to 878 with an explanation of why this day is so significant for Somerset. Free admission, retiring collection in aid of Halsway Manor, National Centre for Folk Arts and St John’s Church.
Pride of Somerset Youth Awards Bridgwater and Taunton College Conference Centre, Taunton, 6.30pm. Organised by Rotary Club of Taunton and supported by BBC Somerset and the Somerset County Gazette.
Somerset themed Networking Event ‘Tea Party’ Rural Enterprise Centre, Royal Bath and West Showground Federation of Small Businesses in collaboration with the Royal Bath and West Rural Enterprise Centre to celebrate business in Somerset.
A Race Against Time: The Story of the Kenyon photographic Archive, The Museum of Somerset – 2.30pm. A talk about the work of photographer Stanley Walter Kenyon who captured thousands of images of Somerset, and the project to rescue the collection. Booking advised on 01823-255088 - £5 including tea and cake.
Cothelstone Hill Heritage Walk. Cothelstone Hill 10am to noon. A walk to discover the archaeology and natural history of the hill, with the South West Heritage Trust and the Quantock Hills AONB.
Miles Tea & Coffee celebration ‘Tea Party’ Vale Yard, High Street, Porlock, TA24 8PU 10.30am to noon.
Cider and Cheese Tasting, and the Mendip Morrismen Railway Inn, Sandford 6pm - 7pm There will also be a Great Somerset Tea Party at the Railway Inn during the afternoon.
Clevedon Pier celebrating Somerset Day Clevedon Pier 10am - 4.30pm.
‘I love Somerset’ Tesco Taunton 9am – 2pm Visit Tesco on Castle Street, Taunton, to buy your County Gazette from the Somerset County Gazette promotions team and pick up a ‘I Love Somerset’ bag with every paper with samples/money off coupons from Thatchers Cider, Wyke Farms Cheese and Miles Tea & Coffee.
An evening celebrating all that is Somerset, Blackmore Farm, Cannington 7pm Tasty grub cooked up in the Manor House kitchen using local ingredients. You will be offered tasters of Somerset wine and ciders (also available to buy) £20 per person.
Minehead Guided Walk, Minehead Information Centre,The Beach Hotel, The Avenue 10am. Go along and explore hidden Minehead with a local guide, find out about the history, folklore, myths legends, shipwrecks and smugglers in Quay Town. The tour lasts 60-90 minutes at a gentle pace; it is suitable for all abilities. To book a place contact Minehead Information Centre.
Nailsea Country Market Nailsea. Goods from very local producers, most of them cooking in their own home kitchens. As well as baked goods and preserves, we sell cheese, butter, eggs, honey, apple juice, cider vinegar. fish from our local trout farm, local fruit and veg, plants, flowers and crafts.
SATURDAY, MAY 12.
Celebrating Somerset Talent, Cedars Hall, Wells Cathedral School, Wells - 6.30pm. In aid of the Somerset Hospice Movement, a concert featuring the Drystones Folk Duet, the Military Wives Choir, Yeovilton and some of Somerset’s emerging musical talent.
compered by Ben McGrail of ITV News West country - preceded by a Somerset food and drink reception. This is the main Somerset Day event held in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Anne Maw.
Somerset Food and Craft Fair and Flower Festival Long Sutton Village Hall and Church.
Somerset Day Craft Fayre Shapwick Village Hall 2pm – 5pm.
Somerset Day Craft Fair Bishops Lydeard Village Hall.
Street celebrates Somerset Day 10am - 4pm Library Gardens, Street Dancing Exhibitions, Brass Band, Chalice Morris Men Leigh Road Methodist Hall Children’s village Show Parish Rooms Pop up Art Show.
Cheese & Cider Market Market House, Castle Cary 4pm – 9pm Local artisan food and drink to try and buy. There’ll also be buskers, beer and even a ‘cow’ for the kids to milk.
Somerset Day Quiz Comeytrowe Hall, Pitts Lane, Taunton – 7.30pm. A simple supper will be served using locally produced foods. Tea and coffee will be available. Guests are invited to bring their own preferred beverages. No charge for attendance but contributions towards the kitchen refurbishment fund will be gratefully received on the night.
SUNDAY, MAY 13.
Local Producer’s Fayre Brean Leisure Park 9am - 4 pm to showcase everything Somerset has to offer, be it food, drink, arts and crafts or community interests. Plus traditional Sunday market from 9am until noon and Somerset carvery.
Somerset Garden Day. To encourage everyone in Somerset to down tools, enjoy the diverse pleasures of their gardens and acknowledge the hard work that goes into keeping them special. Connect with neighbours, family and friends and celebrate the fruits of your gardening labour, by wearing a flower crown.
Arabian Racing Taunton Racecourse - gates open 11am, First Race 1pm Arabian racing returns to Taunton Racecourse for their second meeting of the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) season, where local amateur jockey Ellie Mackenzie will be looking for wins on home territory.
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