Events

The Society Calendar of Events 2012 and is now available to download, please click here.  A shorter hard copy is distributed with the Spring Newsletter.

This year sees our events expanding to 21 guided walks open to members and non-members. Back by popular demand, the two reciprocal joint walks with the Dartmoor Preservation Association are running again this year in new locations. There is the Spring Conference in April, farm visit in July, the AGM weekend in September, the woodland visit in October and Christmas lunch in December. Local groups events are also listed up to March 2013.

Browse through the Calendar for details - there is something for everyone, please come along and join in.

Guided Walks Programme 2012

The 2012 walks programme is even bigger this year with a diverse range of walks for all ages and abilities. Along with our usual range of walks in 2012 we have new walks for children and families (a summer paddle on the Barle) and for young people (on an Exmoor farm) both in the school summer holidays. We have two new walks organised in partnership with Heart of Exmoor, the National Trust and Countryside Mobility with 'Tramper' all-terrain mobility scooters provided free of charge. We are grateful for their support and hope these will enable those who may not otherwise manage these walks to take part. There are two guided tours of Simonsbath sawmill, of the West Somerset Mineral Line and walks to commemorate Hope Bourne and Hazel Eardley-Wilmot. For literary links, walk to Pinkery Pond to see the landscape that inspired Henry Williamson and to Badgeworthy Water and Oare Church, settings of Lorna Doone. And all these are set in the stunningly beautiful and magical landscape of Exmoor.

Starting with the walk on 7th April 'All Things Bright and Beautiful', see England's tallest trees, Bats Castle hill fort and Grabbist Hill which inspired the hymn.

Alfred Vowles Photographic Competition 2012 - Exhibition of Winning Entries

This exhibition will be open at the Porlock Visitor Centre from 21st February to 17th April. Further details are available on the Awards and Competitons page.

The National Park Societies Conference 2011 was hosted by the Exmoor Society from 4th - 6th November 2011.

'Deer on Dunkery'- the final guided walk for 2011 took place on Saturday 22nd October.

This highly successful walk was enjoyed by 40 members of the Society and the Dartmoor Preservation Association. With lunch beforehand at the Rest and Be Thankful, Wheddon Cross, the walk started with an introductory talk and information provided by the National Trust. A very large herd of deer, with two very fine stags, was seen below the Rowbarrows and a smaller herd of hinds with a stag seen in the fields at Bagley.Ponies were also spotted along this 6 mile walk through the ancient woodland of Horner Wood, along the East Water stream and across pasture and moorland.

On the Circular Walk from Simonsbath 13.10.11

This was the view enjoyed by walkers on the "Over the Highest Point on Exmoor" walk

Do come along and enjoy the beautiful and often dramatic scenery of Exmoor on the walks and events.

A view on the Circular Walk from Simonsbath 13th October 2011

The Society Walks are free to members. Guests and visitors are welcome. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing and be prepared for inclement weather; carry wet weather gear with you. Dogs on leads unless otherwise indicated. Follow the guidelines which will be given by the walk leaders. Leaders will set a pace suitable for the party - please do not force a faster pace. Take a picnic (unless an optional pub lunch/tea is indicated) and plenty to drink.

Local Groups

The Society has the following local groups: Barnstaple, Bristol, Dulverton, Porlock and South Molton. These groups organise a varied and interesting programme of events in their own local areas, and sometimes beyond, which are included in the list above and which you are welcome to join. The Groups welcome visitors to their meetings and activites but reserve the right to charge a small fee to non-members (of that particular group). Please check with the Group Secretaries prior to events and particularly for outings as booking may be necessary.

The contact names for the local groups are:

Bristol Group - Chris Norrish

Dulverton Group - Ginny Fox

South Molton Group - Jo Griffin

Barnstaple Group - Julia Holtom

Porlock Group - Lesley Evans

Please note that participants attending activities do so at their own risk.

                                       Walkers and riders at Horner

Society Spring Conference 2011 'Exmoor's Heritage: Inspiring the Future; Understanding the Past'

The Spring Conference took place at Dulverton Town Hall on 6th May 2011. To read the speech by Rachel Thomas, Chairman of the Society, 'Setting the Context' please click here. To read the press release please click here.

Speakers at the Spring Conference 2011

Back row left to right:Martin Hesp, Rob Wilson-North, Society President Sir Antony Acland

Front row left to right: Elizabeth McLaughlin, Peter Beacham, Steven Pugsley, Society Chairman Rachel Thomas

The winners of the Lucy Perry Literary Award were presented with their prizes at the conference. Their winning poems can be read on the Awards/Competitions page.

The junior and senior winner of the Lucy Perry Literary Award with Society President Sir Antony Acland outside the Spring Conference 2011