Tag Archive for: Somerset

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Dulverton by Starlight 2025

Dulverton by Starlight is a crowning jewel in Exmoor’s winter events calendar with plenty to keep the whole family busy with seasonal fun on Sunday 7 December from 2pm to 7pm.

Fireworks lighting up All Saints Church (image, Ali Pegrum)

Festive Shopping and Entertainment

The shops in this pretty moorland town will be open from lunchtime and the main Fore Street will be closed to traffic and filled with stalls selling local crafts, food and drink.  There’ll be an indoor Christmas market in Dulverton’s iconic Town Hall and roaming entertainers will juggle, bubble and amuse you throughout the afternoon. You’ll meet Elf Off the Shelf, Mysterious Merlin, Captain Coconut, the West Somerset Morris Dancers, the Rackenford Rascals Brass Band and the Mid Devon Singers

Children can visit Father Christmas in his grotto in the Dulverton Heritage Centre and get their faces painted while they wait.

Carol singing with the Mid Devon Singers by Ali Pegrum

Carol Singing and Fireworks

Get fully into the festive spirit by joining in with singing your favourite carols around the huge Christmas tree in Bank Square, from 5.45pm, then watch the spectacular fireworks display as the sparkles burst over the roof of All Saints Church from 6.15pm.

FREE Parking

Dulverton Town Council will pay for FREE parking in the town’s car parks on the three Saturdays running up to Christmas – that’s 6, 13 and 20 December.  PLUS Dulverton by Starlight will pay for FREE parking on Starlight Sunday 7 December.

Raffle Prizes and Sponsors

There are some AMAZING raffle prizes to win, donated by generous individuals and small businesses around Dulverton and the our grateful thanks to sponsors G C Stanbury, Remote Therapies, Woods Bar & Restaurant, Exmoor Distillery, Risdons Solicitors, Seddons Estate Agents, Westcars of Tiverton and The Tantivy.

Full details on the event, the day’s schedule, the list of stallholders, raffle prizes and entertainment can be found here.

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Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival 2025 – “A tour de force”

The fourth annual Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival took place on 14 to 17 November in venues across the town and has been described by audience members and authors as “a tour de force” and an “impressive and inspiring literary weekend”. According to one festival-goer, the event is “now firmly established as a gem in Exmoor’s crown”.

The Salt Path scandal

In a packed All Saints Church (pictured above), Observer investigative journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou revealed how she discovered the truth behind certain aspects of author Raynor Winn’s ‘memoir’ The Salt Path, in conversation with Rachel Johnson (the talk being filmed for a Sky documentary to be on air mid-December).

L to R: Chloe Hadjimatheou, Rachel Johnson and Ali Pegrum, Festival Director

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Royal biographer Andrew Lownie spoke about his research into the life of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, sharing details from his book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York – the book that contributed to the former prince’s dramatic fall from grace.

Hiroshima

Historian Iain MacGregor, in conversation with Joshua Levine, spoke to a sell-out audience about his latest book The Hiroshima Men, commenting afterwards that it was “a wonderful festival experience: well organised, great venue, exceptional author care and a really friendly, knowledgeable audience.”

Iain MacGregor signing copies of The Hiroshima Men

Margaret Thatcher

Another sell-out event was hearing Jonathan Dimbleby and Iain Dale talking about Iain’s recent biographical title Margaret Thatcher.

L to R: Jonathan Dimbleby and Iain Dale

Crime and True Crime

Smiling crime writers L to R: Sarah Pearse, Hannah Richel, Amy McCulloch and interviewer Sarah Lutyens

There was a panel of brilliant crime thriller writers including Hannah Richell, Amy McCulloch and Sarah Pearse; and a true Devon crime talk with John Cornwell (author of Earth to Earth) and Rachel Johnson.

Rachel Gilmour MP pictured right chatting with author John Cornwell.

Nature & Conservation

L to R: Ruth Pavey, Rachel Campbell-Johnston, Catrina Davies and Hannah Bourne-Taylor

The Nature & Conservation panel of authors featured the remarkable Hannah Bourne-Taylor, detailing her continued fight to save our swifts, alongside writers Ruth Pavey and Catrina Davies, chaired by writer and art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnston.

Music and Cornwall

BBC Radio 3 classical music presenter Petroc Trelawny chatted with virtuoso violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen about his love of Cornwall and music.

Multi-million copy bestselling author Ruth Hogan chatted with her agent Lisa Highton about her latest heartwarming novel The Light A Candle Society.

Petroc Trelawny greeting festival-goers

The Red Dress Project

New venues were used for this year’s Festival – including the Tarr Farm Inn for an excellent Literary Lunch with William Sitwell – and the Dulverton Heritage Centre for talks around the remarkable global embroidery project The Red Dress with Kirstie Macleod and Emma Bovill; Profitable Farming with Chris Clark and Robin Milton; and Taking Risks with authors Hilary Bradt and Victoria Eveleigh.

L to R: Kirstie Macleod and Emma Bovill of The Red Dress Project

Jane Austen

It was a weekend of anniversaries, with Jane Austen’s 250th birthday celebrated by authors Jessica Bull and Helen Kelly; Penny Adie celebrating 25 years of the Two Moors Festival with her accompanying book; and Karen Minto looking back at 25 years of The Moorland Mousie Trust and the Exmoor Pony Centre with the original book that inspired the charity, Moorland Mousie.

Jane Austen authors L to R: Jessica Bull and Helena Kelly

Jessica Bull’s Austen-themed socks!

Book Club and Winning Young Writers

This year’s Book Club talk was a particular highlight, with national treasure and former All Creatures Great and Small actress Carol Drinkwater travelling from her home in the South of France to chat about her latest novel alongside bestselling authors Veronica Henry and Kate Lord Brown.  Following this talk, prizes were presented to the winners of the annual Festival Children’s Writing Competition which was won this year by Finley Richardson (10), with runners up Grace Griffiths-McDonald (11) and Edie Richards (5). Finley’s excellent poem about Exmoor can be found on the Visit Dulverton website.

L to R: Veronica Henry, Finley Richardson, Kate Lord Brown, Carol Drinkwater and Edie Richards

Story Corner and Meet the Local Author

There was something for everyone at this year’s event, from Children’s Story Corner book readings in the Bridge Inn, to the fabulous Schools Day talks with former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child and the opportunity to chat informally with a host of local authors in the Library, including Moleskine – the Festival’s first canine author!

Festival-goer Stephanie Blackmore wrote “it was remarkable to have persuaded such a brilliant and diverse range of authors to venture down to Exmoor”.

Children’s Story Corner with author Anne Parsons

 

The Festival’s first canine author, Moleskine, with her ‘humum’ Gill Whitehead

Overwhelming Feedback

Dulverton Town Hall

Festival Director, Ali Pegrum said “The feedback of the entire long weekend has been overwhelming, with many people commenting on the warm atmosphere and how the Festival is always so engaged and friendly. The wonderful volunteers are brilliant, and my enormous thanks to the generous sponsors that support the event, as well as the Friends of the Festival.  It is particularly pleasing to see so many people in Dulverton that have never attended a literary festival before, including many children, and many of whom are looking forward to next year’s event already!”

The dates for next year’s Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival are already in the diary – Friday 13 to Monday 16 November 2026.

Event Sponsors & Friends

Our grateful thanks to this year’s Festival Friends and to our generous sponsors – local individuals and small businesses, including: Stockham Farm Exmoor, Tozers Solicitors, Jackson Stops,Taunton, The Dulverton Development Programme, Mr and Mrs Prebensen of Hollam House, The Exmoor Society, Risdon Solicitors, Jeff Pegrum Landscaping, Rupert White Interiors, Exmoor News, Ware Construction,  Osteo & Physio Tiverton, Rothwell & Dunworth Antiquarian Books and Pet Pain Relief of Dulverton.  Our thanks also to the following for their support of the event: Dulverton Town Council, The Bridge Inn Dulverton, Tarr Farm Inn, Exmoor Magazine and Waterstones of Taunton and Barnstaple.

If you would like to support the Festival in the future as a sponsor or as a Friend, please go to the Literary Festival page or get in touch with Ali Pegrum via the Visit Dulverton website or at hello@visitdulverton.com.

 

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Scandal comes to the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival!

Don’t leave it too late to get your tickets to some remarkable talks at the fourth annual Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival from 14 to 17 November. Enjoy some powerful stories and thought-provoking conversations with many of the UK’s top writers in Dulverton Town Hall and other venues around this small moorland town.

This year, scandal comes to the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival. Where else will you hear first-hand about the research into the truth behind the story of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn? Observer investigative journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou will be telling festival-goers about her findings that have scandalised all those who believed in the story upon which the bestselling book was based.  Also over the weekend you will hear royal biographer Andrew Lownie talk about his discoveries into the lives of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) and Sarah Ferguson, as he shares details from his book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York. This is the book that contributed to the former prince’s dramatic recent fall from grace.

Celebrate literary legend Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with Jessica Bull and Helena Kelly; hear about Margaret Thatcher with Iain Dale and Jonathan Dimbleby; understand Hannah-Bourne Taylor’s fight to save our swifts; learn about the men behind the tragic Hiroshima bombing 80 years ago with Iain MacGregor and Joshua Levine; delve into a Devonshire true crime story with John Cornwell and Rachel Johnson; meet much-loved actress Carol Drinkwater, talking about her writing with authors Veronica Henry and Kate Lord Brown; meet multi-million copy bestselling novelist Ruth Hogan and her agent; learn about writing top crime thrillers with Hannah Richell, Amy McCulloch and Sarah Pearse; and enjoy Petroc Trelawny’s love of music and Cornwall with virtuoso violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen.

There is something for everyone at this year’s event, from a literary lunch with author, columnist and MasterChef judge William Sitwell to the Children’s Story Corners book readings to be held in the Bridge Inn on Saturday and Sunday mornings (with FREE admission to all!).  Hear about the global embroidery Red Dress Project that now features in the Guinness Book of Records; Exmoor ponies; the Two Moors Festival; taking risks on foot and horseback; profitable farming and meet seven local authors, including bestselling author Elizabeth Delo and Moleskine – the Festival’s first canine author!

The full programme and tickets are available via the Visit Dulverton website and HERE – many events have already sold out, so be quick to guarantee your seats!

Festival Director, Ali Pegrum said “In just a week’s time, Dulverton is looking forward to welcoming a whole host of extraordinarily talented writers, bringing an often-requested slice of literary culture to Exmoor. We are immensely grateful to the many local businesses and individuals for sponsoring the event, thus enabling it to go ahead for a fourth consecutive year.”

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The Dulverton Trail Fun Run & Canicross 2025

This year’s Dulverton Trail Fun Run & Canicross 2025 should have taken place in September, but thanks to a forecast of very high winds across the South West, it was rescheduled to Sunday 5 October and still attracted a good entry of trail runners and canicross competitors – those running with their dogs.

The Start

 

The scene at the start was set with a party atmosphere, as Debbie of Snap Fitness Tiverton led an enthusiastic and upbeat warm up to music, getting runners, dogs and even the medics geared up to go!

The Course

In true Exmoor style, the run combines some tough gradients but was described by one experienced trail runner as an excellent traditional trail run. Setting off from the Exmoor Lawns in Dulverton, in front of Exmoor House, the route took runners through Burridge Woods beside the picturesque River Barle and along to Marsh Bridge.  Those running both 5k and 10k routes climbed the hill in Looseall Wood where they were greeted by a welcome hydration point manned by event sponsors Stag Environmental.

The 10k route then veered off towards the triangulation point at Court Down with panoramic views towards Dartmoor to the south and Dunkery Beacon (Somerset’s highest point) to the north. See the picture above.

There was a mixture of breeds of dogs participating in the canicross and all seemed excited to let off some steam which added to the fun factor of the event. Tony the Tiger also was in evidence, a great fancy dress element.

The Winning Dog

Race times were recorded by the volunteers from Visit Dulverton and there were some notable speedy times from the regular trail runners and beaming smiles from all on their return to the Exmoor Lawns for the finish.  All competitors were awarded a bespoke medal (crafted by Exmoor Engraving of Minehead) and the winning canicross dog, Luna was awarded a special wooden bone-shaped box filled with treats (Luna pictured above with Pet Pain Relief sponsor, Dr James Hunt and her owner Phil Thorne).  For the humans there was a fine selection of cakes in the tea tent!

The event was made possible thanks to the goodwill of the landowners, the volunteers who gave up their time to marshall the routes, take entries and bake cakes and, of course, the generous sponsors: Stag Environmental, Pet Pain Relief of Dulverton and Oggies Music. A big thank you to all involved.

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The first Dulverton Family Dog Show hailed a great success

Sunday 27 July was perfect weather for Dulverton’s first Family Dog Show.  Not too hot, not too cold and no rain.  A large crowd of locals and visitors descended on the Exmoor Lawns beside the River Barle with their four legged friends, for a day filled with wide smiles and wagging tails.

Dogs of all ages and sizes were welcomed to Dulverton

The event was organised by volunteers from Visit Dulverton and everyone enjoyed the range of fun classes and the refreshment stalls too.  The judge was Pauline Tolhurst BVSc MRCVS, assisted by stewards Sue Blackmore and Wendy Berry.

Local Dulverton businesses contributed to the day, with a popular popup bar from the Bridge Inn and a stall from the Everest Natural Pet Company (located in Dulverton Post Office).

The Bridge Inn provided a popular popup bar

The show schedule featured classes for all dogs and all ages.  The Best Child Handler (aged 10 and under) was Jasmine Chandler with Jack Russell puppy, Horace.

Jasmine Chandler with Horace

Margaret Bratby’s Cinders won the Veteran Dog – a Dulverton favourite.

Dulverton’s Margaret Bratby with winning Veteran Dog, Cinders

Fran Bell and Billie Isaac‘s Cocker Spaniels Polka and Freda – litter sisters from the fourth generation of the same family bred in Dulverton – were the Best Matching Pair.

Best Matching Pair, Cocker Spaniel sisters Polka and Freda bred by Fran Bell of Dulverton

There were classes for the Best Working Dog and the Best Rescued Dog, with many fascinating stories to tell.  Ali Pegrum’s Wilbur was awarded the Best Terrier.

Ali Pegrum with Wilbur (Best Terrier) and Edna

The winners of each class went forward to the Champion/Best in Show, which was won by Lisa Joslin’s Bernese Mountain Dog, Olive (pictured below with Olive’s mother, Lara). Reserve Champion was Lottie, a Welsh Springer who came from Norton Fitzwarren with owner Helen Haig.

L to R: Show Judge Pauline Tolhurst BVSc MRCVS: Reserve Champion Welsh Springer Lottie and Helen Haig; Champion Bernese Mountain Dog Olive with Lara and Lisa Joslin; Steward Sue Blackmore

There were some fabulous activity classes too to finish the day – the Best Ball Catcher and the Best Sit and Stay.  Pete Orchard, on holiday in Exmoor, won the Best Trick class with his terrier Laralou – who performed a remarkable rolling over trick!

Winning Trick Performer, Laralou performing her rollover trick with owner Pete Orchard

The whole day was deemed a great success and plans are already underway to repeat it next year.

The event was generously sponsored by local businesses Stockham Farm Exmoor, Masons Kings and Tarr Farm Inn; and the announcer made a special thank you to those who made donations towards the event in memory of much-loved and much-missed Dulverton dogs: Rufus Crisp, Ben Huckins and Sid Pegrum.

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Dulverton Secret Gardeners support the Moorland Food Bank

For the second consecutive year, the green fingered ‘Secret Gardeners’ of Dulverton have enabled the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group to make a generous donation to the Moorland Food Bank.

Christine Dubery, Chair of the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group, was delighted to hand a cheque in the sum of £1750 to John Preston, Chair of the Moorland Food Bank.  The presentation took place at the beginning of the Dulverton Family Dog Show on Sunday 27 July on the Exmoor Lawns – another event organised by Visit Dulverton volunteers to encourage the local tourism economy in this corner of Exmoor.

The Secret Gardens of Dulverton event took place on Sunday 22 June and was very well attended by locals and visitors alike.  Ten private gardens were kindly opened to the public for the one day by enthusiastic local gardeners, and over 250 people enjoyed a stroll around our charming moorland town, dropping in to the gardens and enjoying refreshments offered by the volunteers in the Town Hall.

The Visit Dulverton committee decided once again to donate the proceeds from the event to the Moorland Food Bank which serves a large area of Exmoor, south from Wheddon Cross and across to the east and west also.  Upon receiving the cheque, John Preston commented “We would like to thank the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group for their generous donation.  It will help a lot of people who are in need of our support.”  Christine Dubery added her thanks to the garden owners themselves, without whom the event could not take place.

The date for next year’s Secret Gardens of Dulverton is set for Sunday 21 June 2026.  If any Dulverton residents would like to open their gardens, please do get in touch via hello@visitdulverton.com

Pictured above L to R: Dulverton gardeners Pete and Nicky Walker; gardeners Anne and Keith Markwick with their dog Cobo; (behind) gardener and Visit Dulverton volunteer Steve Huckins; Christine Dubery; John Preston; Roz Matthews, Secretary of the Moorland Food Bank; and Frances Nicholson, Somerset Councillor and Trustee of the Moorland Food Bank.

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A Fabulous Summer Artisan Festival in Dulverton

The charming moorland town of Dulverton was buzzing on Saturday 12 July with visitors enjoying the annual Dulverton Artisan Food, Drink & Crafts Festival.  People flocked from far and wide to enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful setting – keeping cool with ice creams or even a paddle in the river!

Ice creams in the shade beside the live music

The event was held on the pretty Exmoor Lawns beside the River Barle – with live music, a variety of hot and cold refreshments, a choice of cocktails, cider, beer and wine, and of course many stalls selling a wide range of beautifully crafted items.  Handmade ceramics, jewellery, wood turned products, beeswax products, soft furnishings, leather goods and lots more.  Producers of local beef, lamb, pork, chilli plants all did a roaring trade. There was even a stall selling hand pressed Greek olive oil, with the olive grove owned by a local family. Visitors were treated to a demonstration of spinning mohair fibre from a herd of Angora goats from Devon.

Spinning mohair fibre from Noteworthy Mohair’s Devonshire Angora goats

Organised by volunteers from Visit Dulverton, all of the stalls were carefully curated and managed by Christine Dubery, Chair of Dulverton Town Council, who was delighted with the large footfall of visitors on the day and the excellent feedback.  One visitor from Taunton remarked on the “fantastic atmosphere” adding “what a fabulous array of quality produce and crafts – better than many of the big shows”.

A wide array of stalls in the sunshine and the shade

Mrs Rawle from Dulverton said “It was lovely that people stayed around for much of the day, sitting under the trees and enjoying the refreshments and listening to the music from singing sisters Shelley and Karen. Great to see that visitors also took the opportunity to go and explore the rest of Dulverton and its shops and hospitality too.”

For a full list of all the stallholders go to the event page on this website.

The event was generously sponsored by Exmoor Distillery and Shalden Shooting School.

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Dulverton Open Gardens supporting the Moorland Food Bank

Come to the beautiful Exmoor town of Dulverton on Sunday 22 June (10am to 4.30pm) and discover many 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.

The event is run by Visit Dulverton volunteers and a generous donation from the proceeds will be given to the local Moorland Food Bank.  Last year the organisers were delighted to be able to give a cheque for £1250 towards the food bank (pictured below).

Visitors to the ‘Secret Gardens of Dulverton’ event will be issued a map of Dulverton with their admission tickets, with the location and details of each of the gardens.  Tickets (£5 per person) are available to purchase in advance from Dulverton Post Office and the Tantivy shop and café in Dulverton.  Children under 16 go free.  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.

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!

The event has been generously sponsored by Seddons Estate Agents of Bampton.

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The Dulverton Farmers Market begins for 2025!

It’s just a couple of days before the monthly Dulverton Farmers Market begins for 2025!

Visit the charming Exmoor town of Dulverton to discover a traditional farmers’ market with a wide selection of stalls from independent producers, artisans and crafts people from across Exmoor, Somerset and Devon.  The market takes place on the last Saturday of the month from April to September – in the Lion Stables Car Park in the heart of the town – from 10 to 2.30pm.  Hot and cold refreshments and live music will be there to keep visitors refreshed and entertained!

The first market of the year will take place on Saturday 26 April with live musical entertainment from the excellent Darianna & The Lodgers.

Go to the Dulverton Farmers’ Market website for information and links to each of the stallholders across the next six months.  Please note that not every stallholder listed is present at every market – the months they will be there are listed under each individual entry on the website.

Whilst in Dulverton, don’t miss the opportunity to spend the rest of the day exploring this picturesque town on the edge of the Exmoor National Park.  Why not stay for lunch in one of the many pubs, restaurants and tea rooms and browse the many delightful independent shops?

 

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Dulverton Antiques Valuation Day 2025

A date for your diary! Have you got cash hiding in the attic? Saturday 29 March – the Dulverton Antiques Valuation Day 2025.  Following the success of the informal and friendly valuation days in 2023 and 2024, Adam Partridge Auctioneers are returning to the beautiful Exmoor market town of Dulverton to join the volunteers from Visit Dulverton for another valuation event – and a fun competition for all to enter!  Adam is well known as a regular face on television programmes such as Antiques Roadshow, Flog It!, Antiques Road Trip and Bargain Hunt.

Valuation experts from Adam Partridge Auctioneers in Dulverton in 2024

On Saturday 29 March from 10.30am to 3.30pm, the auctioneer experts will be in Dulverton’s historic Town Hall giving visitors an idea of the value and history of their items.  Why not bring along your jewellery, fine art & collectors’ items – you may be surprised at their value!  All for a donation of just £5 for a maximum of three portable items per person (that are small enough to carry!). No pre-booking required, just a first come, first served simple ticketed system on the day. For those wishing to sell items, the auctioneers will be able to accept pieces on the day for future specialist auctions.

There will also be a fun free competition at the Dulverton Antiques Valuation Day 2025, when visitors will be asked to guess “What is the antique item?”  Three unique and unusual antique items will be displayed and competitors will be invited to write down what they believe the item to be and what was its original intended use.  A bottle of wine to the winner donated by Town Mills B&B of Dulverton!  Refreshments will be available and the bar will be open.

Local Dulverton businesses Oggies Music Shop, Simply Hide Leather Goods and Tim Venning’s ‘From Tim’s Workshop’ will be there displaying and selling a selection of their fascinating upcycled and repurposed items for the home – from musical instruments to bags made from old saddles!

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Tag Archive for: Somerset

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Open Mic Nights at Exmoor Studios in Dulverton

We host monthly Open Mic nights at Exmoor Studios, Bank Square, Dulverton – usually on the second Thursday of the month starting at 7.30pm with doors open for performer registration from 6.30pm.

Admission is FREE and the bar opens from 6.30pm.

Check the Exmoor Studios website for the dates of forthcoming Open Mic nights.

Tickets for all Exmoor Studios and Knackershole Theatre events are available by clicking HERE

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