Simonsbath Festival springs into action on Bank Holiday Monday May 7th with May Day celebrations for all the family on Exford Village Green. Over the following six weeks to Midsummer an exciting mix of classical, jazz, opera and world music concerts, talks, walks and an art exhibition take place in the village of Simonsbath in the heart of Exmoor. This year’s concerts start on a high note on Saturday May 12th at St Luke’s with the renowned Wellensian Consort performing a unique programme of uplifting traditional and contemporary piec- es, including a new choral work by a local composer based on the poetry of an Exmoor farmer. Other highlights include the prestigious duo of outstanding opera singers Alaudiae, with a selection of songs from past to present celebrating love; vintage Brazilian music from Radio Rio; gypsy jazz from the exciting Kamao Quartet from London; Gilbert and Sullivan’s much-loved comic opera The Mikado, performed with fun and flair by Opera Anywhere. Speakers include Sarah Bryan, chief executive of Exmoor National Park, who will be exploring the opportunities and challenges presented by post-Brexit Britain; Revd David Weir, Rector of Exmoor, who talks about a lifetime in the Church of England, with stories of some colourful local characters from the past; the ever-popular Rob Wilson-North, who shares his seemingly infinite knowledge of the Knight family who made Exmoor; TV wildlife expert and conservationist Chris Sperring, who sheds light on the owls of Exmoor. To buy tickets and for full details of the programme visit the web- site www.simonsbathfestival.org.uk and you can follow the Festival on Facebook and Twitter. To receive a full colour, printed festival programme email [email protected] or to find out about becoming a Friend of Simonsbath Festival and enjoy priority booking while also supporting the Festival, email [email protected] or call 01643 831343. 5 STAR The Cheese Larder RIVERSIDE Purveyors of Fine West Coun- CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARK try Cheese AND COUNTRY CLUB HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION LUXURIOUS STATICS FOR HIRE HARDSTANDING AND GRASS Now Open CAMPING PITCHES All Day On FISHING SPECIMEN LAKES CARAVAN STORAGE Saturdays! GREAT MAY ENTERTAINMENT The Old Dairy Your Local Independent LIVE ROCK AND ROLL BANDS Veterinary Centre. 12 Broad Street 4TH - 6TH MAY Southley Road LIVE IRISH BANDS South Molton EX36 3AE South Molton 25TH - 27TH MAY Tel: 01769 572176 FOR FULL DETAILS www.thecheeselarder.co.uk PHONE : 01769 579269 EMAIL: [email protected] Find us on Facebook! Beaford Arts presents the Gwyneth Herbert CHITTLEHAMPTON VILLAGE HALL Duo at Kingsnympton Parish Hall on Thursday With the existing hall needing substantial sums 3rd May, 7.30pm (01769 572414), Chittlehamp- spent on it to bring it up-to-date and with some ton Parish Church (01769 540581) on Friday 4th describing it as 'past its use-by date' and in need May, 6.45 for 7.30pm and W Buckland Village of demolition, a small group has been consider- ing the best way forward. Hall on Saturday 5th May at 7.30pm (01598 The Village Hall Committee is to consult with lo- 740437). cal people and in early May. A questionnaire will Talented composer and lyrist Gwyneth Herbert be delivered to all houses in the parish, seeking has toured across four continents with a varied their views. There will also be 2 open days at the and original programme. hall, Friday 18th May, 2pm to 7pm and Saturday Tickets are also available, with a booking fee, 19th May 10am to 2pm when parishioners will www.beaford-arts.org.uk. have the opportunity of returning their question- naires, viewing art-work by children from the vil- South Molton Bowling Club lage school, showing what facilities they would like to see in their hall and discussing the way are again running their successful open evenings ahead with members of the committee over a during May and June. cuppa and biscuits. Why not come along and try flat green bowls. When the questionnaires have been analysed a If you enjoyed watching the curling at the Winter newsletter will be sent out followed by a village Olympics then bowls is similar but hopefully public meeting to discuss the future of the hall. played in a warmer climate. Peter Bradshaw Village Hall Chairman 01769 Bowling is an activity for both men and ladies of 540036 email:[email protected] all ages and provides an excellent opportunity to stay active, have fun and make friends. Plant Sale Come along on a Monday evening during May Chittlehamholt Village Hall on Sunday 6th May, and June at 6.30pm. All equipment will be provid- 10am-12.30pm. Free admission. ed but we do ask you wear flat soled shoes if For more than 25 years Chittlehamholt has held possible. Coaching will be available. an extremely popular plant sale. It brings togeth- If you decide to join the club, membership is re- er nursery men and women producing a very di- duced for those new to bowls to £10 for 2018 verse range of plants. As growers they also bring which allows you to play outdoors for the summer a wealth of practical knowledge. The formula has and short mat bowls during the Autumn. been successful both for growers, who appear Should Monday evenings be not convenient for year after year, and purchasers. This year’s sale you please telephone 01598 740457 to arrange is on Sunday 6th May. As well as the plants there another time. Hope to see you. will be a cake stall, refreshments and a draw. The proceeds from these, plus the stall holders Popup Opera in South Molton fees, go the Village Hall Restoration Fund. Innovative touring opera Popup Opera bring Bastien & Batienne and the Impressario by Mo- Ramblers Walk About Festival zart on 30th June at 7pm at St Mary Magdalene Step out for a walk with the Ramblers and dis- Church. Doors open 6pm. Find out more at cover local hidden gems from 26 May to 3 June. www.popup opera.co.uk/about-us/. This is a Everyone is welcome on four free walks with a charity fundraising event for the S Molton Church wide choice of distance, pace and terrain. Protect Appeal. Tickets are £20 (£15 for the un- If you cannot join the festival walks there are lots der-18s), available online at https://www.ticket more walks on offer, just visit our website at source co.uk/date/ 477976, from the Amory Cen- www.ramblers.org.uk/north-devon our Facebook tre, or John Walker. page or ring Joan Long on 01271 376274. Chimney sweeping Hetas and APICS registered Brush & vacuum Certificate issued Insured Call: Taylor Made Projects on 01271 900450 'Wash, squash Calling for artists for Art Trek and pop the cap on' Open Studios 14-30th September! Many people are unsure if they should leave lids Open to any artists and makers living or working on recyclable containers when they recycle from in North Devon, Torridge and West Exmoor. For home or make use of bottle banks and House- further information and an application form please hold Waste Recycling Centres. contact [email protected] Recycle Devon has been working with Devon This successful and friendly event sets out to authorities, including North Devon Council, to help artists and the public come together in the make recycling as easy as possible for residents. relaxed settings of the artists’ homes, studios, Following on from industry advice, you can now workshops and other venues. Developing rela- leave your caps, tops and lids on both your plas- tionships between artists and visitors brings won- tic and glass bottles and jars. Simply give the derful insights into the artists' ideas and their cre- bottle or jar a rinse, squash plastic bottles, put ating processes. the top back on and recycle as you normally Artists taking part in the open studios have the would – even it’s a metal lid on a glass jar. opportunity to create a dialogue with the visiting Replacing lids, caps and tops will not only ensure public and show any work in progress, sell origi- they are recycled and Devon maintains its recy- nal artwork and hold demonstrations and work- cling rate, but will reduce volume in recycling bins shops throughout the event. and recycling lorries. Printed Art Trek brochures will be available a All local councils in Devon will collect your plastic month before and during the event, from White bottles - including ones from your bathroom - in Moose, Trinity Street, Barnstaple, EX32 8HX and your usual household recycling service. Most from Tourist Information Centres, Galleries, Mu- authorities - including North Devon Council - will seums and various businesses across N Devon. collect your glass bottles and jars. Residents can check Recycle Devon's website Maclins Quarry for specific recycling information in their area. Recycling Centre EX36 3EB More information on what you can recycle is also Summer hours at our local tip are: available on www.northdevon.gov.uk Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm Please note that trailers over 1.8m (6 feet) inter- New Chairman for nal/body length are no longer permitted at this North Devon Council site. For more information call 0345 155 1010 Cllr John Moore has been elected to serve as Chairman for the next 12 months, taking over the Families for Children Trust is a Specialist role from previous Chairman, Cllr Sue Croft. The Adoption Agency and charitable trust. We place new vice-Chairman is Cllr Frank Biederman. Cllr vulnerable children from all over the UK with new Moore has been a South Molton Independent adoptive families in Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, councillor at North Devon Council since May Somerset and the Isles of Scilly.