Word Gets Around Magazine

29/08/2025

Don't forget it's Minehead Bay Festival this weekend! Come rain or shine there's lots for you to enjoy! 😁

06/08/2025

The much-loved Minehead Bay Festival is back for its fourth year on Saturday 30 August 2025 from 12-6 pm, offering a free one-day celebration of music, art, food, and culture right on Minehead’s beautiful seafront.

Are you going along?

# community

Minehead, Somerset – The much-loved Minehead Bay Festival is back for its fourth year on Saturday 30 August 2025 from 12-6 pm, offering a free one-day

30/07/2025

Somerset Team Tackle Three Peaks Challenge in Memory of Friend

A team of women from Porlock Ladies FC have completed the Three Peaks Challenge in memory oftheir friend Sarah, while raising vital funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance in a touching tribute to her life.

The team, made up of Aimee James, Hannah Worth, Amber Coles, Izzy Fitzgerald, Julie Netherway,and Jess Kerslake, from Williton, Minehead, and Wellington, were also joined by Hannah’s dad Bob Worth and her boyfriend Matt Brown. Football coach Adrian Shopland provided essential logisticalsupport, driving the group between the peaks.

The challenge required the team to climb the three highest peaks in the UK, Ben Nevis (Scotland),Scafell Pike (England), and Snowdon (Wales) in under 24 hours. The team completed it in anextraordinary 23 hours and 49 minutes.

Aimee says:“Sarah was an amazing lady, wife, mother and daughter. She was taken too soon, and I know she willbe with us on the day watching over us. I will be sure to have a few minutes at the end thinking abouther and all the special memories we have of her, she will be missed always.”

“We chose the air ambulance, as unfortunately, although Sarah had got through her treatment, shehad just started chemo tablets and the second day in, had an adverse effect and went into cardiacarrest. The air ambulance was there to support her in no time, and, although they were not needed, weknew how much it cost for this to happen.”

Their determination and dedication are a powerful reminder of the impact one life can have. While the challenge was difficult,

Aimee reflects that:“The weather couldn’t have been better, we were really lucky. It was clear and sunny. Ben Nevis waslovely and so clear, Scafell was similar, Snowdon was in the dark and so so hard, we ran the last twomiles. It was the hardest but most amazing thing I’ve ever done.”Every mission the air ambulance flies costs around £3,500. With no direct government funding, everymission is funded by people like Aimee and her team.

Without such support, the service would notexist.To find out more ways you can support the charity while remembering a loved one, see link below.

https://www.dsairambulance.org.uk/Listing/Category/in-memory

29/07/2025

Dino Day - A date with a Dinosaur

Arts company Emerald Ant and The Watchet Market House Museum, are pleased to present the Iguanodon Restaurant, a wonderfully quirky piece of free street theatre coming to The Esplanade, Watchet on Sunday 31st August. A furious romp through 50 years of ground-breaking scientific discoveries that changed how we see the world, ‘Iggy’ the Iguanodon provides family fun for Dino lovers of all ages.

It’s New Year’s Eve, 1853, and in Crystal Palace Park a group of eminent professors and geologists are holding a sumptuous banquet in an unusual venue – inside the concrete cast of an Iguanodon.

Fossil-fuelled fun ensues as the dinner guests in the Iguanodon Restaurant, famous dinosaur hunters William Buckland, Gideon Mantell, Mary Anning and Richard Owen wrangle over their amazing fossil finds.

Is it a bird? A giant fish? An ancient crocodile? They debate questions around extinction and evolution – how come dinosaurs no longer exist? What does the stone beneath our feet tell us about the world? And what’s really in that blancmange? Find out in this highly visual, funny and peculiar performance, which will have British Sign Language interpretation.

Perfect for families the Iggy performances will be accompanied on the Dino Day by a drop-in workshop – children (age 4 to 104!) can learn more about fossils, dinosaurs and of course about their local museum. Roll your sleeves up and get creative, maybe create a badge to take home, and join in with the activities on offer.

This Dino Day is one of 11 across Dorset and Somerset this summer, part of Emerald Ant’s ‘Iggy for All’ project, supported by the Arts Council, Dorset Council, the Valentine Trust and other foundations.

Full details can be found on the Emerald Ant website: https://emeraldant.com/iguanodon-restaurant/

lovewatchet

24/07/2025

Community raises over £90,000 to support those affected by Exmoor coach crash

Over £90,000 has been raised so far for Somerset Community Foundation's (SCF) Together for West Somerset Appeal, supporting people affected by the tragic coach crash in Exmoor on 17 July.

An incredible £36,000 of this has been raised by a GoFundMe campaign started by local resident Bobbie Rammond, who has chosen to donate the funds to SCF to distribute to those affected.

Bobbie said: “This tragedy has shaken our whole community, and the outpouring of support has been both humbling and emotional.

When I started the fundraiser, I simply wanted to do something – anything – to help those affected. I’m grateful to now be working alongside SCF to ensure that the funds raised go exactly where they’re needed most, with care, transparency and compassion.

This partnership will allow us to reach the families and individuals most impacted, not only now but in the difficult weeks and months ahead.”

Justin Sargent, Chief Executive of Somerset Community Foundation, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the kindness and solidarity that Bobbie, and the thousands of supporters of his appeal have shown, to our community at this incredibly difficult time.

Their generosity is already helping us to provide direct support to those affected and will help us ensure that psychological support is there for anyone who needs it in the weeks, months and years ahead.”

Funds from the Appeal are already providing direct support to the families most affected, working closely with Minehead Middle School and Avon and Somerset Police

The Appeal is now focused on raising vital funds for a range of holiday activities for children and families and immediate and long-term psychological support for those affected.

To donate to the Appeal or read more, visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk/appeal

Cheques can be made payable to Somerset Community Foundation and sent to Somerset Community Foundation, Yeoman House, The Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6QN. Please write ‘Together for West Somerset’ on the back of the cheque.

20/07/2025

Together for West Somerset Appeal launched after Exmoor coach crash

Local charity Somerset Community Foundation has launched an emergency Appeal for the children, families and wider community affected by the tragic events of July 17 when a coach left the road in Exmoor carrying around 70 passengers, including many children from Minehead Middle School.

The Minehead Community Response Fund will be set up and distributed with guidance from a range of partners including Somerset Council, Somerset NHS, local schools, National Emergencies Trust, Fundraising Regulator and The Charity Commission.

Justin Sargent, CEO of Somerset Community Foundation, said: “The events of Thursday are devastating for the children, families and wider community in Minehead and Exmoor and across our county.”

“We know that what happened will have both immediate and long-term effects on so many people’s lives. We’re launching the Together for West Somerset Appeal to raise funds for the children, families and staff directly impacted and the wider community. We know people will want to do what they can to ease the suffering and pull together around those whose lives have changed in an instant.”

Donations to the Appeal will help to provide direct support for individuals experiencing injury, financial hardship or psychological impacts from the incident. The Appeal will also fund community organisations working in Minehead and the surrounding areas to provide support for those affected.

Councillor Bill Revans, Leader of the Council, said “What happened on Thursday is an unthinkable tragedy. My thoughts, and those of all of my colleagues at Somerset Council, are with everyone affected. We are grateful to Somerset Community Foundation for launching their Appeal and for offering to co-ordinate community efforts and donations. I know they will ensure funds swiftly reach those who need immediate help and support our communities in the months and years to come.”

Funds from the Go Fund Me appeal launched by local resident Bobbie Rammond which at the time of writing has raised over £25,000, will be distributed by Somerset Community Foundation to support a co-ordinated response.

To donate to the Appeal or read more, visit www.somersetcf.org.uk/appeal

Cheques can be made payable to Somerset Community Foundation and sent to Somerset Community Foundation, Yeoman House, The Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6QN. Please write ‘Together for West Somerset’ on the back of the cheque.

18/07/2025

We are truly shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic event that took place yesterday on Exmoor. Our thoughts are with everyone affected and connected with Minehead Middle School. We are a close knit community and we hope that the love, support and strength from this will help through this dark time. Thank you to the emergency services for all you do, and in such difficult circumstances.

Clive and Paul

03/07/2025

We've got a winner!!! 🦎

We had lots of entries in issue 45!

One lucky reader gets to treat themselves with a £20 cash prize.
They were selected by the wheel from our other beady-eyed readers who correctly found Charlie the Chameleon, hiding on Page 20 in the Browned butter and almond summer fruit cake recipe.

Look out for Charlie in our July/Aug issue and enter here...
wordgetsaround.co.uk/charlie

Good luck! Clive

02/06/2025

In our latest May/June issue, we have a wonderful 'Ponds Alive' feature by Elizabeth Atkinson, Coordinator of the West Somerset Wildways project for Somerset Wildlife Trust

Check out their upcoming events on 28th June.

Ponds Alive! is funded by the National Trust's Freshwater Community Grant in partnership with the Species Survival Fund, which was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund
in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

14/05/2025

SOMERSET DAY 2025 BRINGS COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
FOR A RECORD-BREAKING 10TH ANNIVERSARY

OVER 18,000 attend Taunton’s Eat Festival, 1,000+ celebrate at Rich’s Cider Farm, Somerset’s flag flies in Times Square and Antarctica, and the campaign achieves major TV, radio, press, and social media reach across the world.

Communities across Somerset and far beyond came together in spectacular fashion to mark the 10th anniversary of Somerset Day, with a record-breaking weekend of events that showcased the county’s pride, heritage and vibrant community spirit.
From village greens and bustling town centres to TikTok clips, Instagram stories and flag sightings, Somerset’s celebratory energy lit up both local streets and digital timelines, amplifying Somerset’s message across the region and beyond.

Among the standout moments of the weekend was the BBC Radio Somerset Flag Challenge, where presenters rallied to fly the Somerset flag in as many locations as possible around the world. Their efforts saw flags proudly displayed everywhere from Times Square in New York to Antarctica, The Gambia, and Australia, as well as iconic local landmarks across the county. The competition saw 870,000 views on BBC Somerset’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Music lovers were treated to a nostalgic Somerset moment at the Barrel & Bloom Festival at Rich’s Cider Farm, where a rousing set from The Wurzels had festivalgoers young and old singing along and waving flags. With over 1,000 tickets sold, the event was a highlight of the weekend.

In Taunton, the town centre was transformed into a vibrant hub of food, drink and entertainment as eat:Taunton attracted more than 18,000 visitors and hosted 110 local food and drink producers. The event further cemented Somerset’s growing reputation as a destination for culinary excellence.

These flagship celebrations were part of a wider programme of over 40 different events across the county – including school flag-raisings, historical tours, craft markets, parades and community picnics. The diversity of activities reflected Somerset’s unique blend of tradition, creativity and community spirit.

Nigel Muers-Raby, CEO of Passion for Somerset CIC, said:
“This weekend has been a phenomenal success and a true testament to the passion and pride that people across Somerset have for our beautiful county. To mark our 10th anniversary with such a vibrant programme of events has been deeply moving and we’re already excited about building something even bigger for next year.”
Cont.

Serin Brown, Director of Passion for Somerset, added:
“This year was all about making Somerset Day more accessible than ever. With family-friendly events across the county, we focused on engaging future generations and creating joyful, inclusive ways to celebrate our local pride. From flag-waving toddlers to grandparents singing along with The Wurzels, it really was a celebration for everyone.”

Mark your calendars: Somerset Day 2026 is set for Monday 11th May, with a weekend of festivities beforehand.
The Passion for Somerset team extends heartfelt thanks to the volunteers, performers, sponsors, partners and organisations across the county who made Somerset Day 2025 such a special milestone.

For more information visit www.somersetday.com

14/05/2025

Dino Day - A date with a Dinosaur

Arts company Emerald Ant and the Gauge Museum, Bishops Lydeard, are pleased to present the Iguanodon Restaurant, a wonderfully quirky piece of free street theatre coming to the Gauge Museum at Platform 1, Bishops Lydeard Station on Saturday 21 June.

A furious romp through 50 years of ground-breaking scientific discoveries that changed how we see the world, ‘Iggy’ the Iguanodon provides family fun for Dino lovers of all ages.

It’s New Year’s Eve, 1853, and in Crystal Palace Park a group of eminent professors and geologists are holding a sumptuous banquet in an unusual venue – inside the concrete cast of an Iguanodon.

Fossil-fuelled fun ensues as the dinner guests in the Iguanodon Restaurant, famous dinosaur hunters William Buckland, Gideon Mantell, Mary Anning and Richard Owen wrangle over their amazing fossil finds.

Is it a bird? A giant fish? An ancient crocodile? They debate questions around extinction and evolution – how come dinosaurs no longer exist? What does the stone beneath our feet tell us about the world? And what’s really in that blancmange? Find out in this highly visual, funny and peculiar performance, which will have British Sign Language interpretation.

Perfect for families: as well as the Iggy performances on the Dino Day, children (aged 4-104!) can learn more about fossils, dinosaurs and their local museum, at a fun-filled, drop-in workshop. Roll your sleeves up and get creative, maybe even make a badge to take home to remind you of your day with Iggy. And don’t forget to explore the Railway Garden – you might just find one or two dino surprises!

This Dino Day is one of 11 across Dorset and Somerset this summer, part of Emerald Ant’s ‘Iggy for All’ project, supported by the Arts Council, Dorset Council, the Valentine Trust and other foundations.

Full details can be found on the Emerald Ant website: https://emeraldant.com/iguanodon-restaurant/

Emerald Ant

10/05/2025

Have a great Somerset Day.