Great Camera Club in the Heart of the Exmoor National Park

The Exmoor Camera Club is a newly-formed friendly social film and digital photography club, which includes D-SLR video.

Each week, throughout the year, they hold members’ photography events on and around Exmoor, where members learn photographic skills from practical assignments and additionally, twice a month they also run post processing classroom workshops for Adobe, OnOne and Niksoft software.

The club believes in offering real practical help for members, they operate a Loan Scheme, where the club hires out, on a not for profit bases, equipment that members may only use once or twice a year, such as fisheye and PC-E lenses or colour management workflow equipment. In addition to the Loan Scheme, they have negotiated with local Exmoor businesses discounts of up to 25%, so visiting photographers can stay and eat here at a reduce cost.

Doug Ton, secretary of the club, says: “If you looking for a fun friendly place to take and make images, then we believe you won’t beat the Exmoor Camera Club, which is currently hoping to attract new members. Our membership is very reasonably priced, considering all our events, approximately 180 events a year at £76 per year or £86 for joint membership. We welcome families and young photographers and for those under the age of 16, membership is FREE with a fee paying adult member.

“All members receive a club t-shirt and a plastic membership card. To reward your loyalty we promise if you renew your membership before it expires, you will always pay the same price each year.”

Membership can be submitted on line at www.exmoorcameraclub.co.uk

If you any questions, do not hesitate to contact the membership Secretary, Doug Ton, either by email exmoorcameraclub@gmail.com or via telephone 01643 888008.

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Renewing your subscription in time for the autumn issue

If you would like to renew your subscription to Exmoor Mag in time for the autumn issue to be sent you in the main mailing in August please call us now! 0845 224 1203. Renew today or tomorrow or take out a new subscription and you can buy this at the price of just £13.95 for a year’s subscription!

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Become a young travel blogger and win a pair of Merrells!

Britain’s diverse natural beauty has inspired many adventurers – from TV’s Ben Fogle to Pembrokeshire’s kite-surfing champion Kirsty Jones. Now budding young travel writers are being encouraged to share their stories and compete for a chance to win fantastic outdoor footwear, ensuring they’re well-equipped for their next adventure.

The 15 members of the UK’s National Parks family and brand partner Merrell, outdoor gear specialist, are teaming up to launch the My National Park Adventure competition for young people. Would-be travel bloggers are being urged to write a piece of 500 words or less about their National Park adventures this summer.

Remember that adventure is what you make it! In the hands of a good storyteller, canoeing the Broads in search of otters can be just as thrilling as reaching the peak of a Cairngorms mountain. Rockpooling on a beach in Exmoor may possess all the drama of the Brecon Beacons Olympic Challenge. The organisers want to see young people making the most of their National Parks – so why not take a look at the range of National Park events on the website!!

The competition is being run in conjunction with National Parks Week, a celebration of Britain’s breathing spaces, taking place all this week from 30 July to 5 August.

Aspiring litterateurs can enter the competition via the UK National Parks website: www.nationalparks.gov.uk/mynationalparkadventure

Entrants will need the permission of a parent or legal guardian.

There are two categories for entries: Authors of 11 years old and under / Authors aged 12-16 years old (inclusive). One winner will be chosen from each category, and he or she will walk away with brand new top-quality footwear provided by Merrell. So, get writing!

Stories must be submitted by 12 noon Friday, 7 September 2012, and must take place in one of the 15 Members of the UK National Park Family: Brecon Beacons, the Broads, Cairngorms, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, South Downs and Yorkshire Dales.

Full details of the competition, as well as terms and conditions, can be found at: www.nationalparks.gov.uk/mynationalparkadventure 

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Do you love greyhounds?

If you are a greyhound lover that living in or near the South West of England, then you won’t want to miss the South West Greyhound Gathering, held at 10am on Saturday 18 August near Honiton, Devon.

The SW Greyhound Gathering promises to be fun for entire family, with a fun dog show, trade stands, agility games and a sponsored greyhound walk.  In addition, attendees will be able to enjoy a selection of great food drinks, from a BBQ to Cream Teas.  But the real star of the day will be retired greyhounds, for visitors to meet with and fuss, so dog lovers and those interested in adopting a greyhound can find out just they make such wonderful pets.

Vicky Gregory from Hillview Greyhound Rehoming Centre, the Honiton branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust, said, “The South West Greyhound Gathering is going to be a really fun and exciting day out for everyone in the region.  We are busy at Hillview, planning many activities and events, especially organised with dog lovers in mind.”

“With over 35 years’ experience working with animal care and kennel management, I can honestly say that greyhounds make great pets.  They are adaptable and surprisingly easy to care for, needing just a few 20 minute walks a day.  That is why I hope that dog lovers of all types come to the show, because it is hard not to fall in love with these gentle giants.”

Hillview Greyhound Rehoming Centre opened in January 2008 and has found almost 150 homes for greyhounds in the region.  One of a 72 branch network, Hillview supports the work of the Retired Greyhound Trust, a national charity charged with finding loving homes for greyhounds when their racing days are over.

To find out more about the SW Greyhound Gathering or about adopting a retired greyhound please contact the Honiton branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust branch on 07582630079 or 01404 861160 or visit the website.

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Exmoor Food Festival bookings being taken

Exmoor Food Festival is not taking place this year, but since last October Exmoor Tourist Association has been planning a Exmoor Food Festival in Porlock Weekend to coincide with the annual dates.

The Exmoor Food Fair will be taking place as usual on Sunday 7 October in Porlock Village Hall from 10.00am – 4.00pm.

Luckily this event will take place whatever the weather!

The competition will be The Exmoor Pudding Competition

The cost will remain at £17.50 per table

The event will be advertised in all the usual places plus others that the ETA have now discovered. The weekend has many innovative events including Owl & Hawk displays with lunch & tea, a Victorian Tea, high quality food demonstrations using local produce, Exmoor Breakfasts and an Exmoor Dark Skies BBQ

Places will be limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Porlock Visitor Centre, West End, Porlock, Somerset, TA24 8QD.

Telephone enquires 01643 863150

email enquires visit@porlock.co.uk

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Children’s activities at RHS Rosemoor this summer

This summer between 21 July and 31 August, collect your Rosemoor passport and discover a whole host of activities and plants linked to different continents as you journey around the world with the Great Garden Adventure, sponsored by Witan Investment Trust. To top things off, Kids Go Free*! That means that  a family of four can visit over the summer from just £15!

As you travel the length and breadth of the world this summer, activities will take you from Europe to Africa, the Americas, Australasia and Asia. Find out how to sow seeds, get stuck in to art activities join in with music workshops and listen to fantastic storytelling. Activities vary daily so please call ahead or check the website to see what is on each day. With no charge for any of the activities – and Kids Go Free all summer it really is a great value family day out!!

Europe: Monday 23- Saturday 28 July
This week there will be opportunities to listen to stories and tales from around Europe, watch a puppet show, and be amazed by falconry displays.

Africa: Monday 30 – Saturday 4 Aug
Be a crafty creator and make your own version of batik, join in a rhythmic African drumming music workshop, go on a song and story walk – or enter the Local Produce Show on the Saturday, with classes for children including decorated plant pots, baking and photography there really is something for anyone to try!

Asia: Monday 6 – Saturday 11 Aug
The Asian adventure will give you the chance to make your own petal decorated paper using ancient Chinese methods, meet some creepy crawlies from Asia – touch if you dare! Finish the week with Open Air Theatre – The Importance of Being Earnest.

Australasia: Monday 13 – Saturday 18 Aug
Be inspired and make your very own nature mask, try finger painting or Aboriginal soil art – you can even make your own didgeridoo! These are just some of the workshops on this week.

Americas: Monday 20 – Saturday 25 Aug
Make your own shadow puppet then rehearse for an afternoon performance of a South American folktale. Or return another day to do some mud modelling or create a magnificent recycled mask.

All summer you can be an active adventurer and challenge your family to garden games, den building, go bird watching and follow the Great Garden Adventure Trail or even a Quentin Blake themed childrens’ trail.

Please check the website for what’s on, as activities vary daily.

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The Brewhouse screens the London 2012 Olympic Games in its Main House Auditorium.

Race over to The Brewhouse this summer as they’ll be screening the BBC’s coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games between 10am – 6pm daily (excluding Sundays). Entry will be completely free, giving you, your friends and family the chance to cheer on the athletes on our big screen, free of charge. Wander in and out throughout the day, through the highs and lows, the rain and shine and get together as a community to support Team GB in their quest for medals bronze, silver and gold.

They will also be staying open late for the opening and closing ceremonies on Friday 27 July at 9pm and Sunday 12 August (tbc) with some additional, special events throughout those days to get the celebrations going. Fuse Performance will be joining them again after their street games and workshops went down a storm at their Jubilee celebrations. Between 12pm – 3pm on Friday 27 July they’ll be working with the public to make banners and flags to sport and wave throughout the opening ceremony. Who are you supporting? And what message of support would you like to give your team? Go along and make a banner or flag and return later to welcome the games and the world to London, all within the comfort of the 352-seat auditorium.

Fuse Performance will be there for the closing ceremonies to wave a celebratory goodbye to our once-in-a-lifetime Olympics. Heading off to Rio de Janeiro in 2016, they’ll be throwing a Brazilian-inspired send off with a hot, carnival atmosphere. From 12pm – 3pm we’ll have street dance, DJ-ing and Beat Boxing Workshops free and open to all.

The Brewhouse will be screening the BBC’s London 2012 Coverage daily 10am – 6pm (excluding Sundays and with extended opening times for the opening and closing ceremonies). Entry is free, with no need to book. Keep an eye on The Brewhouse’s website and twitter page (@BrewhouseLive) for daily updates and details.

 

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Date for your diary: Tiverton Balloon Festival

The Tiverton Hot Air Balloon Festival 2012 is an exciting ballooning and aerial extravaganza taking place on the 24, 25, 26 and 27 of August at the combined Tiverton High School and Petroc campus on Bolham Road, Tiverton EX16 6SH and is the largest hot air ballooning festival in Devon. At the 2011 festival the organisers donated over £10,000 to local charities, clubs and voluntary organisations. Their two major charities this year are Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Childrens Hospice South West, plus the Tiverton High School Mini-Bus Fund.

More than 30 balloons are planned to take to the skies on the evening of Friday 24 from approximately 6pm, and from approximately 7am and 6pm on both Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 of August as well as from 7am on the Monday morning (all subject to weather). On Saturday and Sunday there will be evening entertainment provided by a hot air balloon ‘Night Glow’ where balloons will give a fire and light show, choreographed to music. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons subject to weather there will be balloons tethering and spectacular displays plus competitions involving mixed teams of public and balloonists, and the opportunity for visitors to closely view the balloons and talk to pilots and crew.

Entertainment and What’s Happening

There will be catering for all tastes as well as bars, picnic areas, trade stands, a continuous music programme and children’s entertainment on-site. For more details and timings please see the What’s Happening page of our website (all activities are subject to weather).

Additional information and attractions are constantly being added, so please visit the site regularly to view updates. You may also follow the event on Twitter (@tivertonballoon) and Facebook (Tiverton Balloon Festival) and by receiving SMS updates.

Please note that no dogs will be allowed at the Festival, except for Guide Dogs, owing to the site being a school campus. If camping, dogs on leads are allowed at the Tiverton Rugby Club campsite immediatly next to the festival.

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Woolsery Show is next Monday

Clovelly Court welcomes the 130th Woolsery and District Agricultural Show on 30 July 2012. Thousands of spectators regularly attend the show to enjoy watching the horse, pony, sheep and cattle rings and visiting the large range of local craft and food and drink exhibitors.

The 2012 show promises to be the best yet and features a main ring display of Farming Through the Ages as well as a display of Vintage Vehicles, Mounted Games and a hound display with at least seven packs in the ring at one time.

The first Woolsery Show took place in 1882 when several Woolsery farmers were arguing as to whom had the best colt sired by a particular stallion and it was decided to settle the question by calling in a judge. There has been an annual event held ever since, missing only the war years and those afflicted by Foot and Mouth Disease.

Held on one of the most picturesque show sites in the West Country; the Woolsery and District Agricultural Show is still run as these events used to be; by friendly local farmers who are passionate about the show.

Woolsery caters for all catagories of horses and ponies both ridden and in hand, as well as driven and has proved to be a lucretive venue for trade stands. The sheep and cattle rings display a large number of animals both native and continental with a particularly big entry in the Red Ruby Devon classes.

The craft and handicraft marquees are a treasure trove of visual delights while in the Food and Farming tent locally produced food can be purchased or just sampled. In addition trade stands selling almost everything from jewellery to tractors enable visitors to indulge in a little retail therapy. The addition of a dog show rounds off a lovely day of entertaintment for all. All proceeds from the show are going to Research into Heart Disease.

The Woolsery and District Agricultural Show

Monday 30 July 2012
Clovelly Court Gardens Clovelly, North Devon, EX39 5TA
For information contact Pat Martin on 01409 241331

 

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Enter the pouffe….

The Woolly Shepherd, at Milverton, which makes acoustic clouds and packaging from 100% wool, has been wondering what to do with some of their waste, particularly the felted wool pieces. They do reprocess some but the fibre gets shorter and less usable each time…and then one day they stuffed a load of pieces into an old leather pouffe and it was a lightbulb moment.

Enter the pouffe, stuffed with 100% wool and covered in a grey felt – the colour comes from the mix of local grey, spotted, brown and black fleeces that are often not viable for farmers because of their colour. They are warm to sit on in the way that only real wool is , although the first problem is keeping the cat or dog from sleeping on it! Starting from £54.99, they come in medium and massive sizes and are available online at The Woolly Shepherd.

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