What are you doing for Somerset Day this year? Don’t forget it’s on Friday 11th May 2018

On Friday 11th May 2018, events will be taking place across the county to mark Somerset Day, celebrating all that’s great about our county. We’d love everyone to get involved.From concerts to village fairs, guided walks to tea parties, and a plethora of other local events, there will be plenty going on all over the weekend, so why not join in with one of these special activities, or even organise your own?

What is Somerset Day?

The first Somerset Day was held in 2015, following a public vote that chose 11th May for this special day. The date marks historical hero King Alfred the Great’s routing of the Vikings from his stronghold in the Somerset marshes in May 878. Somerset Day is organised by Passion for Somerset, a not for profit community interest company, with help from sponsors and volunteer supporters throughout the county, including Wyke Farms, Milsted Langdon, Miles Tea and Coffee, and Thatchers Cider.Nigel Muers-Raby, chairman of Passion for Somerset, says, “The Somerset Day movement is definitely growing, and we’re expecting a real buzz over the weekend of 11th May! Whether you attend one of the many events taking place in our towns and villages, or perhaps you feel like organising your own, this is a great opportunity to celebrate the community you live in.“We’re particularly pleased to be joining with St Margaret’s Hospice for their Great Somerset Tea Party campaign which is aiming to create the biggest team party Somerset has ever seen!”Anyone organising an event is asked to send details to info@somersetday.com and to spread the word on social media. The Somerset Day website (www.somersetday.com) includes an ongoing list of events.

What’s on?

New this year is the Great Somerset Tea Party being organised by and in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice Care in association with Somerset Day. Taking place on the 11th, 12th and 13th May, there will be tea parties galore, all in aid of a fundraising target of £26,000 – that’s a day of care across all of the Hospice’s services. We hope you’ll take part in the biggest tea party Somerset has ever seen.More information at www.somerset-hospice.org.uk. A Celebration of local musical talent will take place at Cedars Hall in Wells, on Saturday 12th May, starting at 6.30pm. Enjoy music from The Drystones, Yeovilton Military Wives Choir plus brilliant young musicians and celebrity guests from across the county, compered by Ben McGrail of ITV West Country, raising funds for the Somerset Hospice Movement.Supported by Somerset County Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council and North Somerset CouncilTickets available from Cedars Hall box office on 01749 834483 – Adults £25, 18’s and under £10

FRIDAY 11th MAY

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.For more information email: marksph@hotmail.com

Summer Lunchtime Concert – a Somerset Day Celebration

St John's Church, Park Street, Taunton 12.45 - 13.45pm (Doors open 12.00 Noon)Our county’s history and heritage will be celebrated in a specially extended hour long concert. Gibby Swaine and Sue Watts have been making music together for many years and have invited The StoggyMen, from Stogumber, to join in 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.Fruit punches with a Somerset flavour will be served before the start.Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection in aid of Halsway Manor, National Centre for Folk Arts and St John’s ChurchFor more information email: meeingalmington@gmail.com

Pride of Somerset Youth Awards

Bridgwater and Taunton College Conference Centre, Taunton - 6.30pmOrganised by Rotary Club of Taunton and supported by BBC Somerset and the Somerset County GazetteFor further information visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04r965p

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 SomersetFor further information email: Nicola.Bailey@fsb.org.uk

A Race Against Time: The Story of the Kenyon photographic Archive

The Museum of Somerset – 2.30pmA talk about the work of photographer Stanley Walter Kenyon who captured thousands of images of Somerset, and the project to rescue the collection. Part of the Museum’s Talk and Tea programme with Janet Tall, Head of Archives & Local Studies. The talk compliments an exhibition of Kenyon’s work that is on at the Museum until the end of the yearBooking advised on 01823 255088 - £5 including tea and cake

Cothelstone Hill Heritage Walk

10.00 am to 12.00 noonA walk to discover the archaeology and natural history of the hill, with the South West Heritage Trust and the Quantock Hills AONB.Booking via The Museum of Somerset on 01823 255088 - £5

Cider and Cheese Tasting, and the Mendip Morrismen

Railway Inn, Sandford 6pm - 7pm www.therailwayinn.com

Clevedon Pier celebrating Somerset Day

Clevedon Pier 10am - 4.30pmFor more information email: JoeNovell@clevedonpier.com Entry £1

SATURDAY 12th MAY

Somerset Food and Craft Fair and Flower Festival

Long Sutton Village Hall and ChurchFor further information email pbolton@btinternet.com

Somerset Day Craft Fayre

Shapwick Village Hall 2pm – 5pmFor further information email: SELLICKS@btc.ac.uk

eat:Taunton

Hammet Street and St Mary Magdalene Church 10am-4pmOver 70 local food and drink producers, with free Hawksmoor Cookery School and The Retreat Demo Stage. With livestock, tractors and buskers.www.eatfestivals.org #lovesomerset food and drink festival. Free Entry

Somerset Day Craft Fair

Bishops Lydeard Village HallFor more information email somersetdaybl@gmail.com

SUNDAY 13th MAY

Local Producer’s Fayre, Brean Leisure ParkTo celebrate Somerset Day 2018, Brean Leisure Park will be hosting a local producers’ fayre to showcase everything Somerset has to offer, be it food, drink, arts and crafts or community interests.For more information - admin@brean.com Tel 01278 75159501 www.somersetday.com

‍For further information about Somerset Day, please contact:Penny Adair, Tel: 07967 047464penny@pennyadair.co.uk