Ham Hill Exposed

How exciting is this! Ham Hill is part of our furniture and we take it for granted but Cardiff and Cambridge Universities are now carrying out archaeological excavations. The dig is a 3-year programme, with students undertaking the work each summer. If you pass through the field being excavated you will see the cabins and quarters of the archaeologists who are living on site. Extensive geophysical surveying last year will be the focus for the dig and results will be presented to the public through outreach open days and in new interpretation panels. The archaeologists are holding an open day to coincide with Ham Hill Fayre on Saturday 3rd September. Raised viewing platforms are to be constructed so visitors can get an almost-bird’s eye view of proceedings. For up to date information on the dig go to www.hamhillfort.info

Dillington House Open Day
Included in writer Simon Jenkins’ 1000 Best Houses in England, Dillington is Somerset’s premier residential centre for adult learning. The 5-star campus accommodation is all en-suite and includes rooms with private decks looking across open countryside. If you’ve never had a Dillington experience, jump at the chance of a taster on 4th September. The house and grounds will be open from 12-midday until 5 p.m. with music and entertainment, talks and tours, free mini-courses and food and refreshments.

The choice of courses in Dillington’s new programme (non-residential too) is huge and includes fascinating local topics – Literary Somerset; Starlings: Song and Landscape; The Wild and Wonderful Levels – and many more. Get the full picture on www.dillington.com or telephone 01460 258648.

Holiday action
Find out fun things for children to do these summer holidays with South Somerset’s online guide with all the info in one place. http://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/holidayactivities

Guild of Crafts in Somerton
Catch the summer exhibition Symphony of Colour ending 3rd September.

A colourful and uplifting exhibition exploring colour with new works in quilts, fabrics and textiles, reflective sculptures and more http://www.somersetguild.co.uk/

Drayfest
Drayton’s first festival on 3rd September has music from The Rattlesnakes, Karl Weber and Jakey Zee, local food and cider and camping by arrangement. Drayfest takes place 3rd September, 7 p.m. at Drayton Nurseries. Information and tickets on 01458 251926.

East Lambrook Photographic Exhibition
Three Somerset-based photographers will be exhibiting their work at The Malthouse Gallery, 27th August to 10th September, with a mix of landscape, portrait, botanical and travel images. Free parking and free entry, tearoom on the spot and pub across the road. The Malthouse Gallery is at East Lambrook Manor Gardens TA13 5HH, closed Sundays and Mondays but open Bank Holiday Monday www.eastlambrook.com

Somerton

The French Market comes to Somerton in the Square on 3rd September 9.30 a.m.. to 4.00 p.m. Temptations on sale will include cheeses, sausages, bread, wine and preserves. More stalls in The Parish Rooms, refreshments and free parking. Find out more about Somerton on www.somerton.co.uk

Chard Heritage Open Days
8th September from 2 to 4 p.m. Lawrences of Crewkerne will carry out Antique Valuations at £2 an item, portable items only please.

9th September Carnivals In Somerset Promotion Project will have the project’s multi-media vehicle on the museum field. The van uses audio-visual equipment to tell the story of Somerset carnival. Find out more at www.cispp.org.uk or with a leaflet from Chard TIC. In the afternoon, Museum curator, Roger Carter, will lead a Town Walk starting from the museum at 1.30 p.m. and finishing about 3 p.m.

10th September Bill the Bodger will demonstrate the traditional wood-turning craft of bodging. Musical accompaniment from Hillary Mead and local modellers also exhibiting their skills.

Cranford at The Bishop’s Palace
A new adaptation of the popular story will be performed in the gardens of The Bishop’s Palace on 19th September, bar and BBQ available. Tickets (two performances) are available from The Bishop’s Palace shop, The Palace Trust Office telephone 01749 988111 ext 200 and from www.bishopspalace.org.uk

Montacute Farmers Market

Running alongside the October market, there will be a drop-in workshop led by artist Hilda Vaughan to make a Great Crane sculpture with papier mache and garden wire. Damon Bridge, manager of the project to reintroduce cranes on the Somerset Levels and Moors, will also be there with information about the successful project.

Saturday 29th October in the Old Stableyard at Montacute House