CHRISTMAS CHEER
The Montacute House Food Fayre on 19 December features music and mistletoe, mulled cider and apple juice and lots of other eats! National Trust shop and restaurant open and added NT surprises include real reindeer. If you want to plan your foraging in 2010, there are more food markets at Montacute 27 March, 1 May, 26 June, 25 September, 30 October, 27 November and 11 December.
Still on food, South Petherton has a produce market in the Blake Hall 6 to 9 p.m. on 22nd December. And in the face of all this eating, Bruton sings! The Choral Society gives a Christmas by candlelight concert in the Longhouse at Mill on the Brue, Thursday 17th December at 7.30pm. Tickets include a glass of mulled wine and nibbles and are on sale from Bruton Pharmacy or at the door.
BIRDING
Walk off extra pounds with a guided walk at RSPB’s West Sedgemoor reserve on either Boxing Day or New Year’s Eve, or take up a 2-for-1 offer to do Greylake and West Sedgemoor in January.
RSPB’s 2010 Somerset events have been set and there are lots of nature related activities throughout the year, from peat-free compost days to guided walks and bug hunts! Contact RSPB West Sedgemoor on (01458) 252805 or email to west.sedgemoor@rspb.org.uk for more details. Visit www.rspb.org.uk/reserves to find out more about all the reserves and walks events.
And make sure you catch the starlings at Ham Wall near Glastonbury. Phone the STARLING HOTLINE for regular updates on 07866 554142
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
Somerset is to have a purpose-built county Heritage Centre by the end of 2010, offering full visitor facilities with a large search room giving access to everything held in the County Records. The Centre will house all the County’s archives and reserve collections in modern, purpose-built facilities. It will be easy for people to learn about Somerset and their own history through more than 10 million items currently in storage. South Somerset has its own Community Heritage and Access Centre based at Lufton in Yeovil and showing exhibitions at the Heritage and Information Centre.

The reservoir at Chard is having some important visits this autumn from migrating birds. A great white egret, cattle egret, turnstone and spotted redshank have all checked in for a stay and there is now a red throated diver enjoying the site. The water level has been lowered to carry out some work on the banks and the site rangers think the exposed mud - and what it contains - may be the attraction for some of these birds.

Banish the winter blues with free entry to the gardens on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting this Thursday and running until the 20th December - 10am-4pm

An opportunity for a walk, some refreshment in the tearoom and a little stress-free Christmas Shopping – Perfect!

Look out for the fantastic sale in the Plant Centre also starting this Thursday.

Halloween at Wookey Hole from 24th Oct to 1st Nov. Tel 01749 672 243

Haynes International Motor Museum - an experience you will remember forever at one of Europe’s greatest motor museums. Download money off voucher from WOS website. Tel 01963 440804.

The Mount Somerset, 21st October, Cookery Demo, Cider History, talk and tasting with Gaymers Cider, £30 per person to include two course lunch and a glass of cider.
27th October Make your own Christmas Pudding Cookery demo including afternoon tea. 24th November How to Prepare the Perfect Turkey Cookery Demonstration £30 per person to include 3 course lunch and a glass of wine. Sunday Lunch with Jazz 25th Oct, 29th Nov. Miles Tea and Coffee talk with full afternoon tea 21st Nov. 27th November Gourmet Gala Champagne Dinner hosted by Laurent Perrier. 5th December Christmas Wreath Making. For full details telephone 01823 442500.

Hestercombe Gardens… always something going on… 22nd November Big Christmas Market, not to be missed. If you have never been to Hestercombe Gardens it really is a must visit place. For more details please telephone 01823 413923.

Looking for a Quality Christmas Hamper, then look no further than The Somerset Emporium. Tel 01823 480236 for more details.

100 years of WoW at the Fleet Air Arm Experience, Europe’s Largest Naval Aviation Museum. tel 01935 840565 for more details.

Willow and Wetlands, attractions include: Unique Basket Museum, Wetlands Exhibition, Courtyard Tea Room, Willow Walk and much more, for more details tel. 01823 490249.

26 September - Food glorious food….
Join a celebration of Somerset food and produce at beautiful Montacute House. Farmers Market with 30 stalls, cookery demo with TV chef Lesley Walters, Tudor cooking display (with tasting if you dare), Morris Dancers, The Westridge Singers, apple play and story telling…a lovely autumn equinox event
10.00 - 4.00 Saturday 26 September

Thursday 30 July 2009 11am to 4pm
Stalls and attractions
in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care

Summer has arrived in Chard! The fruit picking season starts at Forde Abbey from 18 June 2009 - the fruit garden has strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants and gooseberries.

June's blooms

The wedding season is upon us and there is only limited accommodation in Chard, so book early to avoid dissappointment!

See the beautiful true heralds of Spring at Forde Abbey gardens. Visit www.fordeabbey.co.uk for more details.

The heaviest snowfall in decades left Chard looking like an alpine town. Despite the unusually severe conditions, all our guests managed to arrive safely and we were able to help a few other travellers who were stranded and unable to make it home.

Snow arrives