What's on in Somerset

Porlock Carnival
Porlock
West Somerset
TA24 8QD
Tel: 01643 863150
   

The carnival atmosphere permeates the village, bringing light hearted entertainment and fun-filled days. The procession winds it's way through the streets - with some hilarious entries including in past years fluffy ducks on bicycles . . .
Join us in the celebrations . . .

Date: Porlock Carnival 05/09/2009

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 3AR
Tel: 01278 436438
   

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival. One of the world's largest illuminated winter carnival processions, and over two hours long. This is the only carnival to be followed by the old tradition of 'Squibbing'.

Dates:
Bridgwater Carnival 06/11/2009
North Petherton Carnival 07/11/2009
Burnham and Highbridge Carnival 09/11/2009
Shepton Mallet 11/11/2009
Wells 13/11/2009
Glastonbury 14/11/2009
Weston-super-Mare 16/11/2009

Spring Steam Gala
Bishops Lydeard to Minehead
West Somerset
TA24 5BG
Tel: 01643 704996
   

The event takes place on 21st to 22nd and from 26th to 29th March An intensive timetable of trains will be in operation over the line and will reflect both the main line services and those on the branch lines that carried locals and visitors to the junctions to meet those main line expresses and stoppers. On both Saturdays and Sundays a vintage bus link will run between Dunster Station and Dunster Village. West Somerset Railway will continue to update information on their site - www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk. However, if you wish to know what engine is working which train this information will be in the usual Souvenir Booklet which will be published a couple of weeks ahead of the Gala. This can be purchased via the Booking Form on WSR's site and also includes histories of the locomotives taking part and information about the Gala and the West Somerset Railway

Dates:
Spring Steam Gala 21/03/2009 - 22/03/2009
Autumn Steam Gala 01/10/2009 - 04/10/2009

Dunster by Candlelight
Dunster
West Somerset
TA24 6SG
Tel: 01643 705075
   

To mark the beginning of the festival the Lantern Lighting Procession is led by the spectacularly costumed stiltwalkers from Syrcus Circus, with Taunton Garrison and Sutton Household carrying the lantern poles, providing a river of light through the village.
Johnny Kingdom * Syrcus Circus * Rattlebox Theatre * Dunster Carollers * Sutton Household Flaming March * Exmoor Zoo Creature Feature * Fire Juggler * Father Christmas * Torchlit Walk * Celtic Fiddler * Roadwater Singers * Milling by Candlelight * Barrel Organ * Blazing Stumpers * Fairground Organ * West Somerset Morris Men * Clowns * Lady and the Fool * Baggins Wood * Charity Stalls * Roundabout * Medieval Musician.
Programmes will be on sale from the end of October in Dunster shops, Tourist Information Centres West Somerset Garden Centre, Driftwood Cafe at Blue Anchor, W H Smith in Mineheadand many other outlets. All monies raised from programme sales go to St Margaret's Somerset Hospice Dunster’s wide variety of shops are open throughout the two evenings for Christmas shopping and a range of restaurants and street stalls will cater for your every need. Please give generously to the street collectors and entertainers during your stay. Collections are to support St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice You’d like to come and experience Dunster by Candlelight ? Great, we’d be very pleased to see you but if you are coming from a distance please follow the signs for Park and Ride. Because of the huge numbers of people who come to Candlelight there is NO PARKING in Dunster itself during the evenings. Park and Ride is cheap (free parking, £3 for each adult return – accompanied children under 14 travel free) and headache free. Park and Ride buses run continuously from 3pm each day and the last bus from Dunster is at 9.30

Date:
Dunster by Candlelight 04/12/2009 - 05/12/2009

RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day 2009
RNAS Yeovilton
NR Yeovil
Somerset
BA22 8HT
Tel: 08445 780780
   

An extensive flying and static display will take place to mark this significant milestone with rare naval aircraft such as the Swordfish, Sea Fury, Seafire and Sea Vixon coming together with other vintage aircraft, historic warbirds and classic jets to evoke nastalgic memories of a century of Fleet Air Arm aviation. Their modern counterparts such as the iconic Harrier and resident Lynx and Sea King squadrons will also demonstrate their capabilities currently used extensively around the world.

Gates open 0900
Exhibition / Trade Fair open 0900
Vintage Fly-in 0930 – 1030
Arena displays 1000 – 1100
Morning flying display 1100 – 1230
Arena displays 1215 – 1315
Afternoon Flying Display 1315 – 1630
Airfield closes 1700

Date:
Opening Saturday 11/07/2009 09:00 - 17:00

Royal Bath & West of England Society
The Showground
Shepton Mallet
Somerset
BA4 6QN


In Somerset the Royal Bath & West of England Society will be staging a whole host of current events ranging from agricultural shows and events, motorcycle, and rural craft shows to Conferences, countryside features & extreme sports in a fiesta of fun for 2009.

Date:
Royal Bath and West Agriculture Show 27/05/2009 to 30/05/2009

St Matthews Fair Ground
Bridgwater
Somerset






The Fair is held annually for four days beginning on the last Wednesday of September. Put it in your calendar and come along next time!

The travelling fair that visits Bridgwater in late September each year is billed as the largest Funfair in the South West and many new rides are premiered here. As well as rides and hoopla stalls, there are a large number of market traders selling their wares in West Street for the duration of the fair.

All about Bridgwater Fair:

Bridgwater town was granted a Royal Charter in 1200 AD by King John. The first Funfair was held in 1249 and there has been a fair held annually on the St Matthews field, (known locally as the Fair field) for over 600 years. It is the largest travelling funfair in the southwest with 30 major rides ranging from the latest high tech thrill rides to traditional gallopers and dodgems. There are also approximately 15 children's rides, 50 hoopla stalls and much sides ground. In addition to this, there are approximately 100 market stalls selling a wide variety of items that line West Street for the duration of the Fair and another 100 stalls are located on the Fairfield on the opening day, together with a Horse Fair.