Timberscombe Village Show Report

 

 In sunshine and heat Timberscombe Village Hall welcomed a good crowd on Saturday 16th August to view the talents of the village. It was heartening to see many new exhibitors as well as seasoned regulars.

All pictures by Gabrielle Horrobin

One comment,  “it’s been a difficult year for growers’ was made;  despite this there were some spectacular exhibits on the veg table, with Andy Heard, once more, winning the Joyce and Eddie Smith trophy and getting the “People’s Choice” with his carrots. The Cut Flower Section was smaller than usual because varieties had been ‘peaking too early’, although the Floral Arrangers were not deterred and produced some exquisite arrangements.  There was plenty to admire in the Art and Handicraft sections, with shades of ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ showing in class 61.  Youngsters in the village were also well represented, again including newcomers  delivering some excellent artwork and models.

 It’s important for village shows to continue and for this we rely on and thank our judges who are called on every year. We value them, sadly they are becoming a ‘rare breed’. 

A highly valued member of our community, Joyce Smith revived the Village Show in 1984 after an absence of 40 years and she organised it for 21years before handing over to Wendy Cook in 2005, although Joyce  has remained as a steward, including this year. For more information see https://stpetrockshistorygroup.omeka.net/

Her connection with the Village Hall has been constant as she has continued to be its cleaner for 36 years, until this year, when she decided it was time for her to step down at the age of 88! She is pictured receiving her retirement gift from Village Hall Chairman, Martin Booth.

Thanks, as always, this year go to:  the organisers, their stewards and helpers; Timberscombe First School; The Lion Inn;  all donators to the raffle; Minehead Garden Centre; exhibitors and everyone who supported the day.  Finally thank you to Ken, our auctioneer, who rounded off the day with a lively and entertaining auction.  All funds raised go to the Village Hall.

Trophy winners. Best in Show: Gabrielle Horrobin.  Runner up Best in Show: Joy Booth. Most Points  Overall: Andy Heard.  People’s Choice: Andy Heard.  Best Photography: Malcolm Bennett. Art Challenge Cup: Gabrielle Horrobin. Best Handicraft: Deb Ball.  Best Cookery: Joe Gould.

Best Flower Arrangement: Joy Booth.   Best Cut Flower: Susanne Leggett.  Sweet Pea Challenge cup: Pauline Bennett.   Best Fruit & Veg: Andy Heard.

Children’s. Novice Handicraft: Theon.  Best Child’s Exhibit: joint. Evie & Lucas.   Runner-up Best Child’s Exhibit: Amelia D.

Report by Pauline Ward Bennett

 

 

 

Message from the Fire Brigade

Our next Community Conversations event will be on 10 September 2025 at 12:00pm and the topic will be focused on road safety. Join through the link on our website.

It doesn’t matter what your background or experience is, whether you represent an organisation or are speaking as an individual, you’re very welcome.

If there is something you’d like to find out about, you can share your questions in advance by emailing Pressofficer@dsfire.gov.uk

If you’re having a problem joining, please call us on 01392 719999.

If you have any questions, please do let me know.

Best wishes,

Megan Hegarty

Consultation and Engagement Officer
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Phone:  01392344074
Website: www.dsfire.gov.uk

Exmoor Events

Exmoor National Park Authority is delighted to announce the launch of the programme for the biggest ever Exmoor Dark Skies Festival

Running from Friday 17 October to Sunday 2 November 2025. Sponsored by BMW Vertu, Bridgwater, this annual celebration of Exmoor’s internationally recognised dark skies promises a packed programme of over 70 stargazing events, science activities, storytelling and outdoor adventures. There’s also a fun Exmoor Dark Skies Festival Competition for children.

The full free event listing and programme is available now from our Exmoor National Park centres and to download here.

 

Things to do this Summer

We have the last of our Ecology Action Days series coming up for young people.

Explore different habitats, enjoy interesting activities with our rangers and experience ecological surveying – no experience necessary!

Following some great sessions themed on Meadows and Woodland we still have these sessions available:

Rivers: Tuesday 19 August

Peatland: Thursday 28 August

To book a space, please email pioneers@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk stating the days you would like to book. Aimed at ages 16–18 years

Made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a legacy donation to CareMoor.

If you live in or around Exmoor and don’t have access to transport, please get in touch – we may be able to help (although cannot guarantee).

   

 

A Walk through Dunster’s History

11am start, Dunster National Park Centre TA24 6SE, Wednesday 27 August

Join a guided walk leader and explore the picturesque streetscape and surroundings of Dunster village. A 2 hour guided walk around a village steeped in history.

Dunster Outback Guided Walk

11am start from Dunster National Park Centre, TA24 6SE Wednesday 3 September

A 4 mile circular walk through the ages, from the outskirts of Dunster village up to Bat’s Castle with amazing views of moorland, coast and woodland.

Find lots of great Exmoor’s walks help you to explore the best of Exmoor National Park. With over 1000km of footpaths and bridleways there are long and short walks on Exmoor for everyone like this one in the video above on Dunkery Beacon. Find out more here

 

Come into our National Park Centres to join a free activity or drop in to discover…

-Exmoor Films on show

-Our state of the art digital microscopes

-Telescope hire

-More about Exmoor’s wildlife, heritage, landscape and dark skies, through inspiring and interactive displays

-Exhibitions

-Opportunities for young people to become a Park Protector

Find us in Dunster, Lynmouth and Dulverton

Wildlife

 The Red Deer of Exmoor 

Come and find out all about native wildlife – Talk with Ranger Rich Eales

Saturday 23 August 2pm

Free – donations to CareMoor welcome

Lynmouth National Park Centre 

Red Deer have lived on Exmoor since prehistoric times. It’s estimated around 3,000 deer today inhabit the farmland and moors, with people flocking to the area each Autumn to experience the rut.

8 White-tailed or Sea Eagles have been visiting Exmoor National Park over the last few years, following their release on the Isle of Wight by Roy Dennnis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England.

Find out more about them and what they like to eat in this latest video above.

Three white-tailed eagle chicks have successfully fledged in Southern England this summer. The chicks were bred by eagles released in a joint project with Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation to return this lost species.

All of the eagles are tagged so we can keep up to date with their progress and we look forward to seeing if the chicks will follow the flight path of their predecessors and visit Exmoor.

More on White-tailed Eagles here

Sowing the Seeds

Thank you to the landowners who are helping us with our meadow restoration projects.

Our conservation team have been working hard, harvesting and sifiting seed from donor meadows, to create more species rich habitats across Exmoor supporting soil health and pollinators.

Read more on meadow restoration here

 

 

Bird Flu Alert from Trading Standards

You may be aware that we are currently dealing with several cases of Avian Influenza across both Devon and Somerset. More information is available on the .Gov website Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England – GOV.UK

To help raise awareness and ensure residents are informed—particularly those who may not be signed up to Defra Alerts—I have attached a few posters.

All bird owners must register their birds using this link: Register-your-birds-All

Symptoms of Bird Flu can be found using this link: Avian Influenza Clinical Signs APHA