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A Nostalgic Evening of ‘Dulverton & Exmoor on Film’

A nostalgic evening of ‘Dulverton & Exmoor on Film’ is a one-off special event showing remarkable clips of old cine film of Dulverton and Exmoor – coming soon to Dulverton Town Hall.

Enjoy a very special event in Dulverton on the evening on Friday 25 October – an opportunity to look back across very many years of cine film and view some remarkable clips of film featuring Dulverton and Exmoor from as long ago as the 1930s! Tickets are selling fast. You won’t want to miss this!

Enjoy a fun evening of reminiscing and marvelling at some amazing moments captured on film over the years, such as:

  • Sheep shearing in Wheddon Cross in 1938, when the shears were hand cranked and a bottle of beer was essential to keep the shearers going!
  • The wonderful Minehead Lido in in the 1930s, with divers and synchronised swimmers enjoying the facilities.
  • Will you recall the Wild West amateur dramatic production in Dulverton Town Hall in 1970? Perhaps you were one of the cancan dancers?!

Amateur film makers have been attracted to the beauty and character of Dulverton and Exmoor since the invention of the cine camera in the 1920s.  Join us for a spectacular evening of nostalgia when television programme maker David Parker will be showing some of the best of the home movies he has been using in films about the moor for the last 30 years.

The ‘Dulverton & Exmoor on Film’ evening is a special event linked to November’s Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival 2024.  Taking place in Dulverton Town Hall from 7 to 9.30pm on Friday 25 October, tickets are £8 and can be purchased HERE or in person from the Dulverton Town Hall Thrift Shop (open Monday to Saturday 10.30 – 2.30).

To see a few short clips of the films mentioned above, go to the ‘Dulverton & Exmoor on Film’ event page.

 

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Tickets for the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival 2024 go live!

Tickets for the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival 2024 go live today!  The third annual Festival will take place over the weekend of Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November and copies of the printed programme are now available to pick up across Exmoor, Devon and Somerset.  Click HERE to purchase tickets from the online Box Office (they are available online only).

Don’t miss author talks across the Festival weekend in Dulverton Town Hall with…

  • Deborah Meaden and money agony aunt Claer Barrett demystifying finance for young people
  • Jonathan Dimbleby and historical biographer Andrew Lownie discussing Stalin and World War II
  • Caroline Quentin and editor Gaby Huddart will be “Drawn to the Garden”
  • Fashion icon Plum Sykes with writer Alice Thomson discussing Plum’s new novel ‘Wives Like Us’
  • Former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child with her latest ‘Clarice Bean’ story
  • Bestselling novelists Jennie Godfrey, Vanessa de Haan, Jessica Moor and Kate Lord Brown
  • Stanley Johnson and his latest travel journal with editor Miranda Taylor
  • Exmoor’s farmers launching their new book ‘Exmoor Farms: A Year on the Moor’
  • Professor Charles Foster immerses himself into the lives of wild animals with writer Rachel Campbell Johnston
  • Horse racing experts Janet Vokes, Johnson White and Charles Blanning

There will also be a fascinating ‘Introduction to Crime Writing’ discussion with crime writers Louise Douglas and Sarah Easter Collins in Dulverton Library.  Events with FREE admission over the Festival weekend that do not require a ticket, include novelist Hazel Prior’s book readings – with her Celtic harp! – in the Bridge Inn; the ‘Meet the Author’ session with Jo Middleton, Zoe Gibson Quirk, Ian Parsons, Richard Collis and Powers Ian Mawby in the Library; and the ‘Children’s Story Corner’ with book readings for young children with Emily Hamilton and Emma Bettridge in the Bridge Inn.

Waterstones Barnstaple will again provide a popup bookshop, giving the opportunity for author-signed books to be purchased in perfect time for Christmas gifts!

Entries for the annual Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival Children’s Writing Competition are coming in – this year’s theme for writers aged under 13 is ‘Magical Exmoor’. Prizes will be presented by former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child CBE.  Click HERE for the Competition poster and all the details.

Festival Director, Ali Pegrum said “We are thrilled that so many extraordinarily talented writers are coming to our charming moorland town, bringing an often-requested slice of literary culture to Exmoor.  Our huge thanks to the many local businesses and individuals for sponsoring the event, thus enabling it to go ahead for a third consecutive year.”

Full details of the all that’s taking place over the Festival weekend – and details of the pre-Festival special nostalgic cine film evening on 25 October – can be found HERE.

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Dulverton Trail Fun Run and Canicross 2024

It was a perfect day on Sunday 15 September for the fourth annual Dulverton Trail Fun Run & Canicross! Starting on the Exmoor Lawns beside the River Barle, runners and 4-legged canicross friends listened attentively to the briefing and then set off across our beautiful countryside on 5km and 10km routes!

All home safely – and the winning dog was Oscar! Congratulations to all!

All finishers were awarded the tasteful wooden medal and Oscar won the beautiful ‘doggie treat’ trophy – all of which were designed and created by our friends at Exmoor Engraving.

The Dog Trophy, beautiful wooden medal and one of the delicious cakes available in the refreshments tent

Many thanks to our generous local sponsor – Oggies Music Shop of Dulverton.  Pay them a visit to discover an Aladdin’s cave of musical instruments, music, sheet music, instrument repairs and beautifully repurposed instruments transformed into other objects such as table lamps!

 

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Dulverton’s ‘Secret Gardeners’ Donate to local Food Bank

Keen amateur gardeners from Dulverton have been able to write a generous cheque to the local food bank, thanks to the proceeds of Visit Dulverton’s ‘Secret Gardens’ event in June.

On Sunday 23 June, a dozen private gardens around the charming Exmoor town welcomed visitors from across the area.  The event was entirely run by Dulverton volunteers and with the profits from the admission fee and refreshments in the Town Hall, Dulverton Town Council was able to donate £1250 towards the Moorland Food Bank.

Pictured above from L to R: Chris Nelder of the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group; Christine Dubery, Chair of Dulverton Town Council and the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group; gardener Adele Bain; Jenny Barker, founder of the Moorland Food Bank (formerly known as the Dulverton Food Bank); and gardener and food bank volunteer Allison Crisp.

The Moorland Food Bank was initially set up during the early days of the Covid lockdowns to support Somerset communities right across Southern Exmoor, including Dulverton, Brushford, Bridgetown, Brompton Regis, Wheddon Cross, Winsford, Withypool, Exford and more.  The Somerset Community Foundation provided the early funding, and now it continues thanks to donations from generous private individuals, the Exmoor Rotary, groups of field sports enthusiasts, Exford Harvest Festival, Winsford PCC, the Co-Op and others.

Founder Jenny Barker said “We are very grateful to all those who are able to donate towards the Food Bank.  It is a much needed service and we need all the help we can get! We are also desperately looking for a new location for the Moorland Food Bank, as we can only stay in the portacabin at Dulverton Junior School until next spring when it is to be handed back to Somerset Council.  Any ideas warmly welcomed – no rent or council tax to pay please!”

Anyone requiring the services of the Moorland Food Bank is requested to apply via the local Somerset Village Agent, Nikki Bonner.

 

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The Dulverton Trail Fun Run & Canicross enters its fourth year!

What could be more fun than running across beautiful autumnal countryside around the pretty moorland town of Dulverton in the Exmoor National Park?  All ages and abilities of runners are again invited to enter the Dulverton Trail Fun Run and Canicross, to take place on Sunday 15 September.

For the fourth consecutive year, this family-friendly event will take place on the Exmoor Lawns alongside the River Barle in front of Exmoor House, with refreshments available for all comers.  The routes of 5km and 10km guide runners across beautiful Exmoor countryside around Dulverton, including the challenging steep woodland track that leads to Court Down above the town.  From this amazing high point, the views are incredible – Dartmoor to the south and Dunkery Beacon (Somerset’s highest point) to the north!

Setting off from the Exmoor Lawns beside Exmoor House

Dulverton is known to be a particularly dog-friendly town and there is the opportunity to bring your four-legged friends and run either the 5km or 10km routes as a traditional canicross race – with all the fun of letting your dog(s) help you along the paths and up and down the hills!

Numbers are strictly limited so runners are advised to book their places well in advance to avoid disappointment.  Full details and booking links can be found here: https://bookwhen.com/dulvertonevents

Our grateful thanks to Dulverton’s brilliant music shop, Oggies Music, for sponsoring this event.

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Dulverton – the birthplace of YMCA founder Sir George Williams

Did you know that Dulverton is the birthplace of the founder of the YMCA, Sir George Williams? Yes it’s true, he was born on an Exmoor farm close to Dulverton and founded the YMCA in 1844 – 180 years ago!  Learn more about this inspirational Dulverton man HERE.

Sir George Williams

Sir George Williams who founded the YMCA

Dulverton Hostel (part of the YMCA Group) is located just off Dulverton’s High Street and close to the River Barle and all that Dulverton and Exmoor have to offer.

A great self catering family or group accommodation in the heart of Dulverton – which can sleep up to 36!  A perfect place to stay for larger groups looking to explore Exmoor and the surrounding area. Why not get a group of friends together this September 15th and stay at the Hostel for the Dulverton Trail Fun Run & Canicross?  Entries are now open via this LINK and the start/finish for the 5km and 10km routes is just around the corner!  Dogs are welcome to stay at the Hostel too, so couldn’t be more ideal.

The start of the Dulverton Fun Run & Canicross – just round the corner from Dulverton Hostel

The Hostel is also deal for groups of mountain bikers, walkers, kayakers and canoeists, school and residential trips.  Close to Wimbleball Lake for watersports and the River Barle for kayaking and canoeing in the season.

Amenities at the hostel include parking, a large garden with bbq, a generous size lounge, plentiful bunk beds, lots of showers, a huge dining room and a fully equipped kitchen.  Bring your own bed linen and you’re good to go!

Dulverton Hostel

The garden at Dulverton Hostel

To book your stay at the Dulverton Hostel, go to their website, email info@dulvertonhostel.org or call 01823 331844.

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Entries open for the Dulverton Trail Fun Run and Canicross 2024

Entries are now open for the Dulverton Trail Fun Run and Canicross 2024 – let’s spread the word!  Share this link with all the details with all your running and canicross friends: https://visitdulverton.com/dulverton-trail-fun-run-and-canicross/

For the fourth consecutive year, runners of all ages and abilities are invited to enter the event which will take place on the morning of Sunday 15 September.  With the start and finish taking place on the Exmoor Lawns alongside the River Barle in front of Exmoor House, the routes of 5km and 10km guide runners across beautiful Exmoor countryside.  Who will be brave enough to tackle the steep woodland track that has become known as the Dulverton Demon?  Marshals will guide you along the river, with water stops too.

All finishers are awarded the tasteful wooden medal designed and created by our friends at Exmoor Engraving.

Dulverton has long been known as a particularly dog-friendly town – with dogs welcome in all our pubs and many of our shops – and there is the opportunity to run either the 5km or 10km routes as a traditional canicross race – with all the fun of letting your dog(s) help you along the paths and up and down the hills!  A special trophy will be awarded to the winning dog on the day.

Many thanks to our generous local sponsor – Oggies Music Shop of Dulverton.  Pay them a visit to discover an Aladdin’s cave of musical instruments, music, sheet music, instrument repairs and beautifully repurposed instruments transformed into other objects such as table lamps!

Setting off through Dulverton, with Exmoor House in the background

Numbers are strictly limited so runners are advised to book their places well in advance to avoid disappointment.  For the direct booking link, click HERE.

If you would like to volunteer to help as a marshal on the day, please kindly get in touch via hello@visitdulverton.com

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Stallholders at the Dulverton Artisan Food, Drink & Crafts Festival

Exciting new names have been added to the lineup of stallholders at this year’s Dulverton Artisan Food, Drink & Crafts Festival.  Taking place on Saturday 6 July from 10am to 4.30pm on the Exmoor Lawns beside the River Barle in the heart of Dulverton, it’s a wonderful opportunity to discover a whole host of local producers and artisans from right across Exmoor, the Quantocks, Devon and Somerset. The weather looks set fair, so come along and join us – free admission for all.

Beautiful bee-friendly flowers from Marguerite Rose Devon

The list of exciting and innovative stallholders will include Margeurite Rose, Helena Elliott Illustration, The Sip Shed Devon and the multi-award winning Exmoor Feasting Company.

Helena Elliott’s delightful illustrations creating beautiful textiles

Who can resist the delicious fare from The Exmoor Feasting Company?

There will be over 30 stallholders to discover, as well as live music and hot and cold refreshments.  Try some local beer, local cider, local spirits and even local readymade cocktails!

Discover The Sip Shed’s amazing fresh, ready to drink cocktails!

Many thanks to our generous event sponsor – The Best of Exmoor. Take a look at their website to see the very best holiday cottages across Exmoor, supporting the very best of Exmoor’s producers and artisans!

Free admission for all.  Dogs welcome on leads.  For all information and a full list of stallholders, click here.

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The Dulverton Artisan Food, Drink & Crafts Festival

The Dulverton Artisan Food, Drink & Crafts Festival is a glorious summer event celebrating the many artisan producers located across Exmoor, the Quantocks and Devon.  To be held on Saturday 6 July from 10am to 4.30pm on the Exmoor Lawns beside the River Barle in the heart of Dulverton – a beautiful location for this popular festival, now in its third year.

Cottage Beer Project

Alongside live music and hot and cold refreshments, you’ll discover 35 stalls from local producers – a selection of gifts, clothing, homeware, artwork, leather goods and of course home-produced meat, beer, spirits, chutneys, preserves, dog treats… to name just a few!

Enjoying the stalls, the live music and the refreshments

Some of the many artisan producers to attend include Beckland Charcuterie, Border Country Belts, Cherry Tree Preserves, Combe Florey Nursery, Cottage Beer Project, Culmstock Chilli Company, The Dog House Pantry, Exmoor Distillery, Exmoor Feasting, Exmoor Fudge Kitchen, Exmoor Tea, Helena Elliott Illustration, Little Oak Farm Pork, Loaders Cider, Max and Mike’s Street Food, Lucho Bakes, The Nomadic Barista, Painswick Pets, Painted Crow Designs, Rupert Smith Wildlife Photography, The Sip Shed, Sophie Forster Design and very many more.

Many thanks to our generous event sponsor – The Best of Exmoor. Why not book to stay in one of The Best of Exmoor’s idyllic character holiday cottages and come to the Dulverton Artisan Food, Drink & Crafts Festival to discover the very best of Exmoor’s producers and artisans?

Free admission for all.  Dogs welcome on leads.  For all information and a full list of stallholders, click here.

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Visit Dulverton’s ‘Secret Gardens’ on Sunday 23 June

Come to the beautiful Exmoor town of Dulverton on Sunday 23 June and discover a dozen of its secret private gardens open to the public for just one day.  The Dulverton community is extremely grateful to these green fingered residents who have generously volunteered to showcase their gardens for an excellent charitable cause.

Visitors to the ‘Secret Gardens of Dulverton’ event will be issued a map of Dulverton and details of the 12 gardens with their admission tickets, which are available to purchase in advance from Dulverton Post Office and the Tantivy shop and café in Dulverton.  All the gardens are within a comfortable walking distance of each other in the heart of Dulverton and well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads.

The tickets are £5 per person in advance and will include a map of the town with dots pinpointing the garden locations, and brief details of each garden.  Children under 16 go free.

On the day itself, tickets (at £7) will be available to purchase in  Dulverton Town Hall – where you’ll also be able to enjoy tea, coffee, beer, wine, cake, filled baguettes and ploughman’s lunches.  Many of the town’s eateries and shops will be open for this lovely summer event!

A donation from the event proceeds will be made to the local food bank by Dulverton Town Council.

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