Programme 2015 - Simonsbath Festival 2016

Transcription

Programme 2015 - Simonsbath Festival 2016
Simonsbath Festival 2015
When the world comes to Simonsbath in the
4 May – 19 June
of Exmoor
Simonsbath Festival celebrates
MAY DAY 2015
Monday 4 May – 2.30pm
S
MA imo Don
Y ns ’t m
Ex DAY bath iss
for ce Fe
d V leb sti
illa rat val’
ge ion s
Gr s o
ee
n n
Exford Village Green
Simonsbath Festival celebrates
May Day with traditional maypole
dancing, live music and stories
for all the family:
• Storyteller Frances Harrison with her
magical tales of Exmoor and beyond
• Maypole dancing by local school children
• Live music from Ben van Weede and Howard Harrison
2.30pm – 3.30pm
Storytelling for adults and children with Frances Harrison
3.45pm – 4.30pm (approximately)
Maypole dancing with live music from
Ben van Weede on fiddle and Howard Harrison on guitar
Refreshments available
For information please telephone Marian Lloyd
on 01643 831451 or email [email protected]
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
Events held at St Luke’s Church are highlighted in lilac
Index:
Phyllida Lloyd
Patron
Simonsbath Festival
What a small community like Simonsbath might lack in
access to choice and variety in the arts it makes up for in
ambition and collective enthusiasm to make things happen.
It might take more effort to go out and find world-class
artists and invite them to a tiny village on Exmoor, but it
is an example of collective will and spirit that makes it all
worthwhile.
And these exciting events can be enjoyed at a fraction of
what it would cost in the capital, with the pleasure of knowing
that proceeds go to St Luke’s, the festival and local charities.
While the sun can’t always be relied on to shine on Exmoor,
even in May and June, Simonsbath Festival’s opening
concert brings the warm Mediterranean sounds of Greek
music to Simonsbath.
There’s more warmth to come with songs from his home in
South Africa, sung by prize-winning baritone Njabulo Madlala,
and the sound and spectacle of music from the Andes.
Experts in archaeology and the Exmoor Pony promise to
inform as well as entertain, and poetry, jazz and art add to
the rich variety. To top it all Pop-up Opera is poised to thrill us
with nothing less than a Rossini opera.
Here’s to the success of Simonsbath Festival 2015!
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
page
Introduction and Welcome
2
George Kypreos Band - music from Greece
4
Birdie Johnson - Alas Poor Johnny, her mother’s memoir
4
Njabulo Madlala - recital by the prize-winning baritone
5
Tracey Elliot-Reep - Adventures on Horseback
5
Michael Bochmann and David Watkins - music for violin and harp
6
Dr Sue Baker - The Exmoor Pony - from Domesday to DNA
7
Kausary - music from the Andes
9
Le Jazz - classical, jazz and ethnic music
11
Pop-up Opera - Rossini’s The Italian Girl in Algiers 11
Fiona Benson - Poetry workshop and reading
12
Simonsbath Sawmill events
13
Exmoor National Park and Heart of Exmoor events
15
Information and booking form
16-19
Exmoor Society walks
21
Boevey’s Tea Rooms events
23
Exmoor Forest Inn events
24-25
Simonsbath Festival Art Exhibition
26
Simonsbath House Hotel and Outdoor Centre events
26
Midsummer family and community concert
27
Events diary – at a glance
29
1
A very warm welcome to
Simonsbath Festival 2015
Simonsbath Festival is now in its
fourth year and has settled into
its six-week slot in the spring
calendar between May Day and
Midsummer.
The idea is to celebrate the cultural
heritage of Exmoor, with traditional May
Day and Midsummer festivities to open
and close the festival, while inviting
musicians from abroad to celebrate their
cultural heritage during the six weeks in
between. In the spirit of diversity, the aim
is also to fill the programme with as much
variety as possible with opera, jazz and
classical music concerts and all sorts
of other events, including talks, walks,
poetry and an art exhibition.
One of the most important aspects of the
festival is our work with local schools.
Two years ago the festival began a project
to revive interest in and knowledge of the
traditional music and songs of Exmoor.
The project ‘Songs from the Exmoor
Forest’ was supported by the Heritage
Lottery Fund and run by the folk and
community arts organisation Wren Music.
2
Wren musicians Marilyn Tucker and Paul Wilson
held a series of workshops in local schools and
in the wider community to teach the folk music,
songs and traditions collected on Exmoor
from the early 20th century to the 1980s. This
included material collected by Cecil Sharp,
who noted more than 100 songs which were
gathered from Exmoor. The other main body of
work was Paul Wilson’s collection of folk songs
from his visits to Exmoor in the 1970s.
As part of the project we created an online song
book, featuring music and songs collected on
Exmoor, which can be found on the festival
website. We are keen to continue the music
workshops. This year they are run by the
popular folk and traditional entertainers Tom
and Barbara Brown at Exford, Cutcombe
and Timberscombe schools. Their workshops
culminate in a Midsummer family and
community concert on June 19 at the Moorland
Hall, Wheddon Cross.
Tom and Barbara will also be holding an
acoustic open session of Exmoor music and
song ‘Moor Songs’ at the Exmoor Forest Inn
on June 10, to which singers, musicians and
audience are all welcome.
St Luke’s Church © Nicola Friedrich
For our world music concerts this year we
travel from Exmoor to the warmer climes of
Greece and distant Peru with the top quality
musicianship of the George Kypreos Band
and the distinctive and characterful music of
Kausary. We are privileged to host a recital
by the outstanding South African baritone
and winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Prize
Njabulo Madlala, and there’s a treat in store
from violinist Michael Bochmann and harpist
David Watkins.
Chris Gradwell, Andrew Daldorph,
Andrew Barrett and Mike Thorn are
accomplished classical as well as jazz
musicians, and they bring their popular
quartet Le Jazz to this year’s festival –
with a dash of world music too.
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
Completing our series of Saturday evening
concerts is the incomparable Pop-up Opera,
showcasing exciting new operatic talent and
bringing their imaginative staging of Rossini’s
The Italian Girl in Algiers to St Luke’s.
We have a distinguished line-up of
Wednesday evening speakers, beginning
with Birdie Johnson, giving us a taster
of the book she has just edited by her
mother Buster Johnson, with foreword by
Buster’s grandson Boris. Tracey Elliot-Reep
touches down at St Luke’s with tales of her
adventures on horseback in far-away lands,
and Rob Wilson-North reveals the hidden
secrets and past of Simonsbath.
school music workshops, the festival has
over the past years made donations to
local charities such as Exmoor Search and
Rescue, the Beacon Centre cancer unit at
Taunton’s Musgrove Hospital and the South
Molton branch of the Royal British Legion.
Victoria Thomas
Festival Director
FOR THE BEST SEATS...
• by phoning Marian Lloyd on
01643 831451
• by emailing
[email protected]
• by post using the booking form
on page 17
• by downloading the form
on the festival website
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
Please turn to page 16 & 17
for full details of ticket prices
and a booking form
Dr Sue Baker assesses the future of our
ancient breed of Exmoor Pony, with news
of some exciting developments, and poetry
makes a welcome return to Simonsbath
with the North Devon Poetry Workshop
and a reading by award-winning poet
Fiona Benson.
St Luke’s was the original inspiration for
Simonsbath Festival and the recently restored
church continues to inspire, with its attractive
and welcoming atmosphere and warm
acoustic – now with the added benefit of a
brand new sound system.
Besides investing in the sound system at
St Luke’s, which was match funded by the
Diocese of Bath and Wells, and funding the
BOOK
BOOK NOW
NOW
St Luke’s Church © Nicola Friedrich
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
Becoming a Friend of Simonsbath
Festival for as little as £15 a year
entitles you to special blockbooking discounts on tickets and
ensures that your name is added
to our mailing list while at the
same time helping to support the
festival. If you would like to join
the Friends of Simonsbath
Festival, please complete the
application form on page 18.
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St Luke’s
Saturday 9 May – 7.30pm
The George Kypreos Band
Simonsbath Festival opens with the sunlight and warmth of the
Mediterranean evoked by the sound of Greek music from the
George Kypreos Band. The band is led by the virtuoso bouzouki
and distinctively soulful voice of George Kypreos, accompanied by
Greek female vocals, and driven by the strong rhythmic grooves of
gypsy guitar, Syrian darbouka and a rocking English back-line.
The songs are all composed and arranged by the band and are
strongly influenced and inspired by Greek traditional (Laiko), gypsy
(Yiftiko) and island music (Nisiotiko), but also by the band’s diverse
cultural and musical backgrounds, including more modern aspects
which are sensitively integrated into their electric-acoustic sound.
George Kypreos (bouzouki, baglama, dzoura and vocals),
Kleila Andrali (vocals), Mark Pointing (guitar),
Harry Puckering (bass guitar),
Carl Rutter (drums) and
Muataz Fatoum (tabla and tef).
Refreshments available and an
optional mezze, Greek-style
snack, costing £6 and
prepared by Frances Chanter,
may be booked in advance.
Adult: £15
to reserve the seat
of your choice;
£10 standard tickets
(student/unemployed £7.50);
14 year-olds and under free.
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St Luke’s
Wednesday 13 May – 7.30pm
Birdie Johnson
Alas Poor Johnny
Buster Johnson’s memoir of life on an
Exmoor farm, edited by Birdie Johnson
with a foreword by grandson Boris.
Birdie Johnson, Buster Johnson’s
daughter, talks about Alas Poor Johnny,
her mother’s highly entertaining memoir
of life on an Exmoor farm in the 1950s,
and how, after all these years, it has finally
come to be published.
In 1951 Buster moved with her husband Johnny and their
four children to West Nethercote, a remote farm four miles
from Winsford. Cut off from the world of domestic servants and
bridge parties she used to know, she threw herself into her new
life. Her world shrank, revolving around Johnny and the children,
an assortment of friends and neighbours and, above all, the
animals. Isolated as she was, Buster kept in touch by writing
letters, sharing with friends and family the seemingly daily dramas
of life at Nethercote; it is these letters she drew on, 10 years later,
when writing Alas Poor Johnny.
Refreshments available in the interval and an optional snack, costing £4,
may be booked in advance for the interval.
Adult £10 to reserve the seat of your choice;
£5 for unreserved seating; 14 year-olds and under free.
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
St Luke’s
St Luke’s
Saturday May 16 – 7.30pm
Wednesday 20 May – 7.30pm
Accompanied by pianist
William Vann
Adventures
on horseback
Njabulo Madlala
South African baritone and 2010
Kathleen Ferrier Award-winning
Njabulo Madlala brings a voice of
rare distinction and beauty to the
Simonsbath Festival and demonstrates the
quality and range of his musicianship in
a dazzlingly diverse programme featuring
Schubert lieder, African-American spirituals,
French art songs, English ballads and
traditional South African folk songs.
Tracey Elliot-Reep
Refreshments available and
an optional canapé selection,
costing £6 and prepared by
Liz White, may be booked in
advance for the interval.
Tracey gives an inspirational and entertaining
presentation about her amazing horse riding
adventures in distant lands, illustrated with
stunning photography and film.
Tracey Elliot-Reep grew up on a farm on Dartmoor, surrounded
by horses, sheep and a majestic landscape. Early in life she faced
challenges at school where she struggled with dyslexia.
Using her animal training and ability as a photojournalist, Tracey has
shared her equine cross-country safaris in presentations around the
world. She relates her adventures in action-packed photographic
performances, stirring audiences to live their dream despite the
obstacles.
Tracey’s horseback adventures include travelling solo through New
Zealand, across southern Europe, Ireland, from Scotland to the
southernmost point of England and, finally, from Mexico to Canada.
She launched a greeting card, postcard and calendar business
20 years ago while living in a small caravan with her dog Sam on
Dartmoor, surrounded by Dartmoor ponies.
Adult: £15
Refreshments available and an optional snack, costing £4,
may be booked in advance for the interval.
For full details of the concert programme
please visit the festival website or telephone
Victoria Thomas on 01643 831343.
to reserve the seat of your choice;
standard tickets £10 (student/unemployed £7.50);
14 year-olds and under free.
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
Adult £10 to reserve the seat of your choice;
£5 for unreserved seating; 14 year-olds and under free.
5
St Luke’s
Saturday 23 May – 7.30pm
Michael Bochmann
and David Watkins
Sacred and Profane
World-class violinist Michael
Bochmann and harpist David
Watkins perform an irresistible
programme of music from the
sublime to the more down to
earth, including works by Bach,
Vivaldi, Saint-Saens, Paganini,
Mozart and Massenet, and
much-loved traditional pieces
to herald the arrival of summer.
eat well
with Riverford
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For full details of the
concert programme please
visit the festival website or
telephone Victoria Thomas
on 01643 831343.
Refreshments available and an optional canapé selection, costing £6 and
prepared by Julie Reed, may be booked in advance for the interval.
Adult £15 to reserve the seat of your choice;
standard tickets £10 (student/unemployed £7.50);
14 year-olds and under free.
6
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01803 762059
*Free vegbox on your 3 delivery when you place a regular vegbox order.
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rd
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
St Luke’s
Wednesday 27 May – 7.30pm
Dr Sue Baker
The Exmoor Pony –
from Domesday
to DNA
Author of ‘Survival of the Fittest – a Natural History of the
Exmoor Pony’ and past chair of the Exmoor Pony Society,
Dr Sue Baker assesses the future of the Exmoor Pony.
The history of the Exmoor Pony is interwoven with the story of
Exmoor’s inhabitants and communities. In the past, pony herds
generated an income from the sale of foals to provide transport
and power in harness. Hill farmers on Exmoor used their ponies
for shepherding, ploughing and harrowing and transport to market;
they were the original all-terrain vehicles of Exmoor.
But the days when ponies were needed for agricultural work are
long gone and their modern role is in equestrian leisure activities.
Today the Exmoor ponies need people to work for them: to create a
secure future through conserving their moorland home and ensuring
that their genetic management maintains a healthy population.
Refreshments available and a snack, costing £4 and supplied by Riverford
Home Delivery, West Somerset, may be booked in advance for the interval.
Adult £10 to reserve the seat of your choice;
£5 for unreserved seating; 14 year-olds and under free.
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
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Guardians of the Breed since 1921
A registered Charity, the Exmoor Pony Society was set up in 1921 for the
registration of pure-bred Exmoor ponies, the conservation of the breed and the
preservation of the breed standard as well as promoting the ponies to the general
public by the moorland farmers on Exmoor and holds the official stud book. The
Society works closely with the moorland breeders and is responsible for organizing
the inspection and registration of moorland foals and has recently obtained hi-tech
microchip readers and a mobile penning system on behalf of the moorland herds.
The Society works with the Exmoor National Park Authority and the Rare Breed
Survival Trust to conserve the Exmoor Pony, which remains on the Rare Breed
Survival Trust’s Watchlist in Category 2.
The Society is grateful to all its members, both on and off Exmoor, together with
those members of the public who provide information about the ponies on the
moor during the year and are concerned for their welfare and help with the
Exmoor Pony Festival.
You can help too – JOIN THE SOCIETY – Associate Membership is just £17.00 a year.
For more information call our Freefone number 0845 607 5350 or visit our website
www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk
8
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
St Luke’s
St Luke’s
Saturday 30 May – 4-6pm
Saturday 30 May – 7.30pm
with Johnny Rodriguez
Andean
music concert
Kausary Andean Music Workshop
The Peruvian band Kausary’s workshop will take participants on
a journey through Andean culture to experience the vitality of the
music and dance of Latin America. The emphasis is on hands-on
experience, with the opportunity to play some of the instruments,
including panpipes, guitar and charango, so that participants can
discover their own Andean spirit!
Refreshments available during the break.
Adult £5 14 year-olds and under £3
Combined ticket to include Kausary’s workshop and evening
concert at 7.30pm, St Luke’s Church Simonsbath:
Adult £12.50 (Concessionary £10); 14 year-olds and under £3
Refreshments available and a light Latin American-style supper, costing £8
and prepared by Frances Chanter, may be booked in advance for
approximately 6pm, between the workshop and the evening’s concert
Kausary
Kausary is one of Europe’s best-known Andean bands and
was formed in the UK in 1995 by musicians from Trujillo, on
the north coast of Peru. They wear the colourful traditional
costumes of the region.
Andean music comes from mixing native instruments like the
zampoñas or sikus (panpipes) or quena (Andean flute) with
guitar and the famous charango (a small guitar originally made
from an armadillo shell), combined with romantic lyrics.
Wind instruments and drums form part of the original melodies
from magnificent cultures like Quechuas and Aymaras.
Johnny F Rodriguez (panpipes, quena, charango, bass guitar
and backing vocals), Julio Rodriguez (guitar, lead vocals,
bombo [Andean Drum]), Manuy Figueroa (classical and electric
guitar, bass, percussion and flutes), Cleyder Figueroa (keys,
charango, percussion and flutes), Jorge Rodriguez (quenas
[Andean flutes], panpipes and guitar), Ciro Rodriguez (panpipes
and charango).
Adult: £15 to reserve the seat of your choice;
standard tickets £10 (student/unemployed £7.50);
14 year-olds and under free.
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
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10
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
St Luke’s
Saturday 6 June
7.30pm
Le Jazz
The Best
of all Worlds
The highly entertaining and dazzlingly dexterous musicians who form
Le Jazz show their mastery and enjoyment of a variety of musical styles,
performing a richly diverse programme of music from Faure to Django
Reinhart, with Gershwin and Jewish Klezma music along the way.
Chris Gradwell (clarinet and saxophone) is an associate of the Royal
Academy of Music; Andrew Daldorph (piano) took up a post as organ
scholar at Guildford Cathedral, subsequently gaining a fellowship of
the Royal College of Organists; Andrew Barrett (guitar) is the guitar
teacher at Wells Cathedral School; Mike Thorn (bass) has enjoyed a
long career as a musician in London, recording with artists such as
Michel Legrand and performing in shows such as Evita.
Le Jazz is the way they let their hair down.
For full details of the concert programme please visit the festival
website or telephone Victoria Thomas on 01643 831343.
Refreshments available and a £6 optional canapé selection prepared
by Frances Chanter may be booked in advance for the interval.
Adult £15 to reserve the seat of your choice;
standard tickets £10 (student/unemployed £7.50);
14 year-olds and under free.
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
Saturday 13 June – 7.30pm
St Luke’s
Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri
(The Italian Girl in Algiers)
Playboy Mustafa is bored with his wife Elvira; what he really
wants is an Italian girl. Coincidentally, an Italian girl Isabella
arrives, in search of her sweetheart Lindoro, a young Italian
man recently captured on the high seas by Mustafa’s pirates
and now in his service.
Mustafa tries to set Elvira up with Lindoro so that he can
marry Isabella. Cue a shipwreck and all havoc breaks loose...
“Talent Packed” The Evening Standard
“Guts, energy and initiative” The Telegraph
Pop-up Opera is an innovative touring opera
company dedicated to making opera
enjoyable and inviting, without losing
the quality of musical performance.
Language: Italian, Captions: English
Director: Darren Royston,
Musical Director: Berrak Dyer
Producers: Clementine Lovell and Fiona Johnston
Refreshments available and a £6 optional canapé
selection prepared by Frances Chanter may
be booked in advance for the interval.
Adult: £15
to reserve the seat of your choice;
standard tickets £10
(student/unemployed £7.50);
14 year-olds and under free.
11
Wednesday 17 June – 5-7pm
North Devon Poetry Workshop
with Fiona Benson
The North Devon Poetry Workshop returns to Simonsbath Festival
with an informal session, presenting a series of poems by members on
various themes and inviting poems from the floor. Award-winning poet
Fiona Benson will participate in the workshop and contribute to the
discussion of the poems. Everyone with an interest in poetry is most
welcome, especially poets, readers and writers inspired by Exmoor.
Event co-ordinator Richard Westcott extends a warm invitation to all.
For information contact Richard on 01769 572225 or email
[email protected]
Exclusive Wedding & Event Caterers
Elizabeth White Catering is a specialist,
quality and exclusive wedding caterer.
Our catering is traditional, classic and
elegant. The complete catering service for
your wedding or event. All our catering is
tailor made to suit your special event, your
tastes & preferences and your budget.
Tel: 01984 640553 Mobile: 07971 830989
Email: [email protected]
12
Wednesday 17 June – 7.30pm
Fiona Benson
Poetry Reading
‘A poet whose dark
imagination mixes solemnity
with lyricism . . . ’ The Guardian
© Gareth Franklin/PR
St Luke’s
Fiona Benson will be reading from her
pamphlet, Faber New Poets 1, and her T S Eliot
prize-nominated debut collection Bright Travellers.
Her selection will include poems inspired by the
archaeology and landscapes of Devon, including
poems about the submerged forest of Westward
Ho! and the dark ages architecture of Dartmoor.
She will also read from her acclaimed sequence
of poems ‘Love-letter to Vincent’, a series of
dramatic monologues which take the paintings
and biography of Vincent Van Gogh as their
stepping-off points, and which chart a journey of love,
loss and creativity. These poems speak across the paintings
to the great painter in the voice of his prostitute-mistress.
Refreshments available in the interval and an optional snack, costing
£5, may be booked in advance for approximately 7pm, between the
workshop and the evening’s poetry reading.
Combined ticket to include North Devon Poetry Workshop
and the Poetry Reading by Fiona Benson at 7.30pm, St Luke’s
Church Simonsbath:
£10 to reserve the seat of your choice; £5 standard unreserved
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
Simonsbath Sawmill
Simonsbath Sawmill was built for John Knight sometime after 1818
and refurbished for Viscount Ebrington (later Lord Fortescue) in 1898.
The building of stone and slate beside the river in the heart of the
village was once the hub of agricultural and estate management for
a huge country estate covering much of central Exmoor.
Sawmill Open Days
Simonsbath Sawmill will be open from 10am until 4pm
on the following Mondays: 4 May; 18 May;1 June; 15 June
Visitors will have an opportunity to look around the historic, waterpowered sawmill and estate workshops and learn about the history
of this remarkable village. ‘Drop-in’ tours are available all day and
volunteers will be on hand from 10am to show you around the mill and
tell you more of the history of the area. No booking is necessary but if
you are coming to Simonsbath especially to visit the mill it is advisable
to ring us on 01643 831202 (between 10am and 4pm on the day).
There is usually some parking available (at your own risk) at the mill
and we can reserve spaces for visitors with limited mobility if you
contact us in advance. Please note that there are no public toilets at
the mill. You may find it preferable to park at Ashcombe Car Park,
Simonsbath and walk the 500m to the mill but do take special care
on this busy road! The recommended route is through the meadow.
Please visit www.simonsbathsawmill.org.uk or Simonsbath
Sawmill’s Facebook page for more information. Tours are free but
donations towards the upkeep of the mill are very welcome.
National Mills Weekend
Saturday 9 May – Sunday 10 May 10am – 4pm
Simonsbath Sawmill will also be open for National Mills Weekend,
the annual celebration of our milling heritage which offers a chance
to explore mills throughout the country, many of which are not usually
open to the public. The sawmill will be open specially for this weekend
event with tours, displays and demonstrations from 10am to 4pm
each day. No booking is necessary.
Mills in Art Competition
If you come and visit Simonsbath Sawmill during the festival with
your sketch book or camera, there’s a chance you could win a prize!
The organisers of National Mills Weekend are running a “Mills in Art”
competition this year and inviting amateur artists and photographers
over 16 years of age to submit artwork featuring a windmill or
watermill. For the under 16s there’s a prize for the best drawing,
painting or collage of a mill. Entries must be submitted by 24 May
2015. There’s more information about the competition at the National
Mills Weekend website or ask at the Sawmill.
Both of Exmoor’s restored water-powered sawmills – at Simonsbath
and Timberscombe - will be opened specially for the weekend.
For further information see www.nationalmillsweekend.co.uk
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
13
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14
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
Exmoor National Park
and the Heart of Exmoor
Exmoor National Park covers an area of 267 sq miles (692 sq kms) –
a unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland shaped
by people and nature over thousands of years. High cliffs plunge into the
Bristol Channel and cosy pubs and tearooms offer delicious local produce.
On Exmoor it is still possible to find tranquility and peace as well as
rediscover a sense of adventure; to catch a glimpse of wild red deer, be
amazed by skies full of stars and explore villages full of character. Exmoor
National Park is also one of the few places in the world to be awarded the
prestigious designation of International Dark Sky Reserve, recognising the
fact that Exmoor has some of the darkest skies in the country and that it
works hard to make people aware of how precious this resource is.
For more information call in at one of the National Park Centres in Dunster,
Dulverton, or the Lynmouth Pavilion – or visit the website:
www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Wednesday 27 May 12pm-2pm
Picnic, Paddle and a Pootle
The Heart of Exmoor team invites you to come and enjoy a paddle and stream dipping,
with the opportunity for a relaxing picnic. Some equipment will be available but please
bring your ice cream tubs, kitchen sieves and magnifying glasses for stream dipping.
There will be a short optional nature pootle, walking along the river Barle and finding out
more about nature in this fascinating valley. Please bring your own food.
Children must be accompanied by adults. Toilets and parking available locally at
Ashcombe. Please wear outdoor clothing and suitable footwear. Meet at Simonsbath
Sawmill (TA24 7SH) on the B3223. Donations invited. Booking essential.
For more information and booking please telephone 01398 323841 or visit the website
www.exmoornational-park.gov.uk
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
15
Information and booking
Saturday concerts
at St Luke’s
Admission to the following concerts
in St Luke’s:
£15 to reserve the seat of your choice;
£10 for unreserved seating
(£7.50 student/unemployed concession);
14 year-olds and under free.
•The George Kypreos Band
•Njabulo Madlala
•Michael Bochmann
and David Watkins
•Kausary
•Le Jazz
•Pop-up Opera
Friends of Simonsbath Festival
Becoming a Friend of Simonsbath Festival
entitles you to block booking discounts, free
mailings and news updates while at the same
time helping to support the festival. Please
complete the form on page 18 and tick the box,
if you would like to become a Friend.
Refreshments are available at all events
and the following optional snacks – and
a meal before Kausary’s concert – may
be booked in advance by completing
the form opposite or by telephoning
Marian Lloyd on 01643 831451
• A mezze, Greek-style snack, prepared by
Frances Chanter, for The George Kypreos
Band’s concert interval (£6)
• A canapé selection, prepared by Liz White,
for Njabulo Madlala’s concert interval (£6)
• A canapé selection, prepared by Julie Reed,
for the Michael Bochmann and David
Watkins concert interval (£6)
• A Latin American-style meal, prepared by
Frances Chanter, before Kausary’s concert
(£8)
• A canapé selection, prepared by Frances
Chanter, for the Le Jazz concert interval
(£6)
• A canapé selection, prepared by
Frances Chanter, for Pop-up Opera’s
concert interval (£6)
PLEASE NOTE: TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE
FOR COLLECTION ONLY AT ST LUKE’S ON THE DAY,
THEY WILL NOT BE SENT OUT BY MAIL
16
Other events at St Luke’s
Admission to the following events:
£10 to reserve the seat of your choice;
£5 for unreserved seating;
14 year-olds and under free.
• Birdie Johnson
• Tracey Elliot-Reep
• Dr Sue Baker
• North Devon Poetry Workshop and Poetry Reading by Fiona Benson
Refreshments are available at all events and
optional light snacks may be booked in advance
for the interval by completing the form opposite or
by telephoning Marian Lloyd on 01643 831451.
How to book
Premium tickets, standard tickets and snacks may
be booked:
• by phoning Marian Lloyd on 01643 831451
• by emailing [email protected]
• by completing and returning the booking form opposite
• by downloading the booking form from the festival website: www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
Concessionary tickets are available for
students and unemployed only.
Please make cheques payable to Simonsbath
Festival and post with your completed booking
form to:
Marian Lloyd, Higher Bradley, Withypool,
Somerset TA24 7RS
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
!
Booking form for events at St Luke’s
(Free admission to all concerts for children under 14 years old)
Snack(s) Number Total cost
Event
Date and time Price per ticket insert how many of tickets
The George Kypreos Band 9 May –7.30pm£15 (reserved) £10 (unreserved) (£6)
Concessionary £7.50
Birdie Johnson
13 May – 7.30pm
£10 (reserved) £5 (unreserved)(£4)
£10 (unreserved)
Njabulo
Madlala
16 May – 7.30pm£15 (reserved)
Concessionary £7.50
Tracey Elliot-Reep
20 May – 7.30pm
£10 (reserved) £5 (unreserved)(£4)
Michael Bochmann £10 (unreserved)
23 May – 7.30pm £15 (reserved)
and David Watkins
Concessionary £7.50
St Luke’s parking
and facilities
There are only a few
parking spaces at the
church itself, which
are normally reserved
for visitors with limited
mobility. There is some
roadside parking or
Exmoor National Park’s
Ashcombe car park in
the centre of Simonsbath
which also has toilets.
The church is accessible
to wheelchair users and
has its own toilet facilities.
(£6)
Dr Sue Baker
27 May – 7.30pm
£10 (reserved) £5 (unreserved)
Kausary workshop 30 May – 4 - 6pm
£5 (under 14s £3)
(£6)
(£4)
(reserved) £10 (unreserved) Kausary
concert
30 May – 7.30pm£15 Concessionary £7.50
(£8)
£12.50 (concessionary £10;
Workshop and concert combined ticket
under 14s - £3 )
Rob Wilson-North
3 June – 7.30pm
£5
Venue: Boevey’s Tea Rooms
(£5)
Le Jazz 6 June – 7.30pm £15 (reserved) £10 (unreserved)
Concessionary £7.50
(£6)
Pop-up Opera
13 June – 7.30pm£15 (reserved) £10 (unreserved)
Concessionary £7.50
(£6)
Poetry workshop
17 June – 5 - 7pm £15 or £10 (concessionary £7.50) (£5)
Fiona Benson
Poetry Reading
17 June – 7.30pm
Workshop and poetry reading combined ticket
£10 (reserved) £5 (unreserved)
(£5)
£10 (reserved) £5 (unreserved)
Midsummer Concert at
19 June – 2pm
Moorland Hall (Wheddon Cross)
Admission free
Please complete the form overleaf indicating your seating preference and
make cheques payable to Simonsbath Festival www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
Free
Overall total
£
17
Name
!
Please complete to book tickets or to become a Friend of Simonsbath Festival
Title
Address
Postcode
Telephone number
Email address
If you have booked Premium Tickets or Reserved Seating for events at St Luke’s, please state your preferred row:
Rows A to M, on the left, facing the chancel: Rows A to J, on the right, facing the chancel: or the Balcony.
I would like to become a Friend of Simonsbath Festival, please send me further details –
please tick the box
Please send your completed form, with a cheque made out to Simonsbath Festival to:
Marian Lloyd, Higher Bradley, Withypool, Somerset TA24 7RS Telephone 01643 831451
PLEASE NOTE: TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION ONLY AT ST LUKE’S ON THE DAY,
TICKETS WILL NOT BE SENT OUT BY MAIL
18
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
Other venues at Simonsbath Festival
Events at the sawmill
Admission to events at the sawmill is free.
Sawmill parking and facilities
There is no public parking or public toilets at the sawmill. Visitors are
advised to use the Exmoor National Park’s Ashcombe car park which
also has toilets. Parts of the Sawmill are accessible to wheelchair
users and arrangements can be made to welcome people with
disabilities (ring 01643 831202 between 10am and 4pm on the day).
Events at the Exmoor Forest Inn
To book events at the Exmoor Forest Inn please telephone
01643 831341 or for more information visit the website
www.exmoorforestinn.co.uk
Boevey’s Tea Rooms
For reservations and bookings please complete the booking form or
telephone Marian Lloyd on 01643 831451.
Exmoor Society events
Exmoor Society walks are normally free of charge. For further
information please telephone the Exmoor Society on 01398 323335
or visit the Exmoor Society website www.exmoorsociety.org.uk
Exmoor National Park and
Heart of Exmoor events
To book events organised by the Exmoor National Park and
Heart of Exmoor please contact David Rolls on 07875 565823
or visit the website www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or
www.heartofexmoor.org.uk
For general enquiries please contact Victoria Thomas on
01643 831343 or email [email protected]
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
19
The Crown Hotel – Exford
The warmest welcome awaits everyone at this famous
17th Century family run coaching inn at the heart of the
Exmoor National Park, with 3 star accommodation,
an award-winning restaurant and a cosy country bar,
serving great food, real ales and fine wines.
The Crown Hotel, Exford, Somerset TA24 7PP
T: 01643-831554 E: [email protected]
www.crownhotelexmoor.co.uk
WINE TO ENJOY
At Moorwine you are assured of quality at the
right price. As our wine comes from the less
commercial vineyards from around the world, you
can really taste the passion of the growers and the
love from the small producers really comes
through. We bring you wines which you will want
to drink again, again and again and we try never
to be dull or boring, bringing you wines to test
your palate and for you to enjoy.
We look forward to meeting you.
Telephone : 01398 341406 / 07970 567628
Email : [email protected]
FREE LOCAL DELIVERY
20
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
The Exmoor Society
The Exmoor Society works to protect and enhance the special qualities and diverse wild landscapes of Exmoor.
The society was formed in 1958 and is a registered charity dedicated to the conservation, protection and
enjoyment of Exmoor National Park. It welcomes everyone who supports these purposes and wants to enjoy
the special qualities of this unique national park.
Guided walks organised by the Exmoor Society as part of Simonsbath Festival:
Wednesday 13 May
11am – 1pm
Mining and Mystery at
Wheal Eliza
A short walk along the River
Barle to Wheal Eliza, exploring
the history of the Knights, mining
in this part of Exmoor and the
tragic mystery of Wheal Eliza.
There are one or two short
climbs but overall this is an easy
walk along the valley.
Return to Simonsbath for a visit
to the sawmill and an optional
pub lunch, or bring a picnic.
Walk leader Rachel Thomas.
Tuesday 19 May
2.30pm – 4pm
A stroll through the
History and Landscape
of Simonsbath
A relaxed walk ending with a
visit to the sawmill. Not suitable
for children or dogs.
Walk leader Wendy Mills.
Meet at Ashcombe car
park (Grid Ref SS774395)
for all the Exmoor
Society walks.
No booking is required and
the walks are normally free
of charge, although a small
donation is requested from
non-members.
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
Friday 29 May
10.30am – 3.30pm
Simonsbath’s Lost
Gardens and the source
of the River Exe
A 5-mile walk through the former
gardens of Simonsbath House,
over the moor to the source of
the River Exe and back down
Limecombe to the River Barle,
ending in a visit to the sawmill.
Please bring a picnic and wear
suitable clothing and walking
boots. Dogs welcome.
Tuesday 16 June
2.30pm – 4pm
Flowers and Footpaths
in Simonsbath
A leisurely stroll through the
species-rich meadows of
Simonsbath. Please wear
weatherproof clothing
and footwear. Not suitable
for children or dogs.
Walk leader Wendy Mills.
Walk leader Jenny Gibson.
For further information please telephone the Exmoor Society on
01398 323335 or visit the website: www.exmoorsociety.org.uk
21
22
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
Boevey’s Tea Rooms
Monday 4 May – Friday 19 June
Simonsbath Festival Art Exhibition
Boevey’s Tea Rooms, the converted linhay of Simonsbath House
on the turning into the hotel, is host to the Simonsbath Festival Art
Exhibition throughout the duration of the festival.
For more information please see page 26.
Wednesday 3 June – 7.30pm
Rob Wilson-North
Conservation Manager
Exmoor National Park
Discovering the lost pleasure
gardens of Simonsbath
Rob Wilson-North explains how current research is revealing more
about the enterprising Georgian industrialist John Knight’s vision for
Exmoor and his plans for a great mansion at the heart of his estate
in Simonsbath with pleasure grounds after the picturesque style.
In 1815 the Royal Forest of Exmoor was enclosed by an Act of
Parliament, beginning a series of events which led to the last and
most ambitious land reclamation enterprise in England, driven by
John Knight who bought the Royal Forest from the Crown in 1819.
Bar open for refreshments, including wine, beer, tea and coffee.
A light ploughman’s, with a selection of local cheeses, costing £5,
may be booked in advance for the interval.
Admission: £5 (Book early for this event to guarantee a seat.)
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
23
Exmoor Forest Inn
Diary of Events
Wednesday 13 May – 1pm - 3pm
Forest Walkers’ Lunchtime Special
A meal and a drink for £10
Tuesday 19 May – 4pm - 6pm
Forest Walkers’ Afternoon Tea
Friday 22 May – 8.30pm
Geoff Nichols and Good Vibes
please see opposite page for details
Friday 29 May – 7.30pm
Wine tasting with food
£12.50 per person (Booking required)
Friday 5 June – 7.30pm
Exmoor Forest Quiz Night
Free for booked teams of four – and a prize for the
winning team. Bacon baps £2
Wednesday 10 June – 7.30pm
‘Moor Songs’ with Tom and Barbara Brown
please see opposite page for details
Tuesday 16 June – 4pm - 6pm
Forest Walkers’ Afternoon Tea
For information and booking telephone the
Exmoor Forest Inn on 01643 831341 or visit the website:
www.exmoorforestinn.co.uk
24
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
Friday 22 May – Music starts at 8.30pm
Wednesday 10 June – 7.30pm
and food at the Exmoor Forest Inn
‘Moor Songs’
Good Vibes
Geoff Nichols returns to the Exmoor Forest Inn with his Swing
jazz band Good Vibes. Having led the legendary Avon Cities jazz
band for many years, trumpet and vibes star Geoff Nichols turns
to the Swing music of the 1930s and 40s to present his Good
Vibes band for the discerning jazz fan.
Tom and Barbara Brown
Admission £10
The Exmoor Forest Inn hosts an open
acoustic session of Exmoor music and
song led by popular folk and traditional
entertainers Tom and Barbara Brown.
Singers and musicians are welcome to bring
their voices and instruments – audience also
welcome, but expect to join in the choruses!
For information and booking telephone the
Exmoor Forest Inn on 01643 831341 or visit the website
www.exmoorforestinn.co.uk
For information telephone the Exmoor Forest Inn on
01643 831341 or visit the website www.exmoorforestinn.co.uk
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
Free admission
25
Simonsbath Festival
Art Exhibition
Simonsbath House Hotel
and Outdoor Centre
Monday 4 May – Friday 19 June
Simonsbath Festival Art Exhibition is held throughout the festival in
Boevey’s Tea Rooms, the converted linhay of Simonsbath House on the
turning into the hotel. Organised by Sandy Schott, the exhibition features
a wide range of local artwork created by artists living in the Parish of
Exmoor, and some from a little further afield to the fringes of Dartmoor.
The artwork is mainly Exmoor themed and includes paintings in oil,
watercolour and pastel as well as printmaking and photography.
Admission to the exhibition is free
during Boevey’s summer opening
hours, from 10.30am to 5pm daily.
Simonsbath House is a historic building
and the oldest house in Simonsbath.
It was built in the mid-17th century by
the merchant, lawyer and philosopher
James Boevey (1622-1696), the
warden of the Royal Forest of Exmoor,
and for 150 years his was the only
house in the forest
For information and bookings telephone
01643 831259 or visit the websites
www.simonsbathhouse.co.uk
or www.shoc.info
2
1
1. Brendan Common at Dawn by Chris Howe
2. Photograph by Nick Simpson
3. Dartmoor Greyface Ewe by Lucy Pearn
3
For more information on the Art Exhibition telephone Sandy Schott
on 01643 831844 or email [email protected]
26
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
Friday 19 June – 2pm
Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross
Midsummer family and
community concert
Simonsbath Festival celebrates Midsummer and marks
the end of Simonsbath Festival 2015 with a family and
community concert, featuring the popular folk and traditional
entertainers Tom and Barbara Brown, and continuing
its project ‘Songs from the Exmoor Forest’.
As part of the festival’s broader
activities in the community,
Tom and Barbara Brown are
running a series of workshops
throughout the period of the
festival in Exford, Cutcombe
and Timberscombe first schools
to teach children the traditional
music and songs of Exmoor,
‘Songs from the Exmoor Forest’,
working towards their performance
at this afternoon’s concert.
ADMISSION FREE
Refreshments available.
For information and tickets telephone Marian Lloyd on
01643 831451 or visit the festival website.
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
27
Wheddon Cross,
Minehead, TA24 7DR
TEL: 01643 841222
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.restandbethankful.co.uk
Superb Range of Bar and Restaurant Meals, 7 Days a week,
Traditional Carvery Meals on Wednesdays and Sundays
Luxury en-suite Accommodation
Warm and friendly local atmosphere
CAZ BAR – Outside Bar Facility, Parties and Weddings
Eric, Julie and Caroline Norman look forward to welcoming you
28
Simonsbath Festival 4 May – 19 June
DateEvent
May 4
May Day celebrations
May 9-10
National Mills Weekend
May 9
May 13
May 13
May 13
May 16
May 19
May 20
May 22
May 23
OU
WEST C NTRY
B L A C K S M I T H S
At allerford Forge
Blacksmithing Welding &
Fabrications service working
with all forms of metal.
Artistic, Architectural &
Restoration Specialists
To view a full selection of
work visit:
westcountryblacksmiths.co.uk
Phone:
01643 863339 or 07548 212289
Email:
[email protected]
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
May 27
May 29
May 29
May 30
June 3
June 5
June 6
June 10
June 13
June 16
June 17
June 19
The George Kypreos Band - Greek music
Mining and Mystery at Wheal Eliza – walk
Forest Walkers’ Lunchtime Special
Birdie Johnson – talk
Njabulo Madlala – concert
The History/Landscape of Simonsbath – walk
Tracey Elliot-Reep – illustrated talk
Geoff Nichols and Good Vibes
Michael Bochmann/David Watkins – concert
Picnic, Paddle and Pootle – family activity
The Source of the River Exe – walk
Wine Tasting
Kausary – Andean music workshop/concert
Rob Wilson-North – illustrated talk
Quiz night
Le Jazz – concert
Tom and Barbara Brown – open music session
Pop-up Opera – The Italian Girl in Algiers
Flowers and Footpaths in Simonsbath – walk
Fiona Benson – Poetry workshop and reading
Midsummer family and community concert
FESTIVAL EVENTS DIARY AT A GLANCE
May 4 – June 19 Simonsbath Festival Art Exhibition
29
Simonsbath Festival 2015
4 May – 19 June
Sponsoring
Simonsbath
Festival
feed
timber & fencing
Pathfields Business Park,
South Molton EX36 3LH
T: 01769 574477
equine
garden
pet
household
diy
clothing & footwear
food & drink
www.molevalleyfarmers.com
With financial support from the Exmoor National Park Partnership Fund
and the Moorland Landscape Partnership’s Heart of Exmoor which is
pleased to be supporting the Simonsbath Festival through its lottery
funding. Please visit our website to discover and enjoy even more about
Exmoor’s moorland – www.heartofexmoor.org.uk.
Festival programme produced
and edited by Victoria Thomas
Designed by Maggie Lyddiatt
Advertisement sales – Philip Hull
Photography: landscapes courtesy
Nicola Friedrich;
Simonsbath Festival logo (left)
illustrated by Lucy Pearn
Telephone 01643 831343 Email: [email protected]
www.simonsbathfestival.co.uk
When the world comes to Simonsbath in the
of Exmoor
Printed by Brightsea Press
farming