Great Cranes
The project to reintroduce European Cranes to the Somerset Levels is moving on and getting plenty of media coverage. Most recent sound bite was BBC Radio’s Saving Species programme (R4 on 8th June if you want to play it again). All the eggs brought so carefully from Eastern Europe have hatched. Visit the website for pictures of the one-month old chicks in their “crane school” at Slimbridge. You can also meet Amy King and Roland Digby, the surrogate crane parents who are rearing the birds through their first delicate weeks. These babies will soon be in Somerset so watch their progress on http://www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk

Large Blues
Large Blue Butterflies were re-introduced to Somerset 25 years ago, having been declared extinct in 1979. They occupy a site owned by the National Trust at Collard Hill near Glastonbury, one of 25 South West sites where the butterfly has re-established. The Trust is hoping for a bumper year for Blues this summer and Collard Hill has lots of other species to spot too, many butterflies and moths and beautiful orchids.
Here’s some Blue things to do:-
20th June - a Collard Hill open day for visitors to meet wardens involved with the care of the Large Blue.
You can download a walk around Collard Hill showing best places for Blues at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks
An NT dedicated hotline will give up-to-date recorded information on numbers during the flight season (further information on 07824 820193).
You can go on a Large Blue blog with daily updates and pictures at http://ntlargeblue.wordpress.com/

Glove Affair
An exhibition of glove-related art - garments, hangings, sculptures, animatronics and writings, all on the
theme of gloves and their symbolism in history, art, literature and romance.
A South West Textiles Group Touring Exhibition running from 17 July to 11 September at the Somerset Rural Life Museum. Further information on 01458 831197

Ilminster Midsummer Experience
Join in Ilminster’s four-day festival with exciting entertainment for all the family including Craft and Food Fair, Ilminster Party in the Square, Nine Choirs evening, Strolling Garage Sale, flower festival, sports and more….
10-13 June 2010
www.ilminsterexperience.co.uk

Ilminster’s First Tuesday
On the first Tuesday of every month, Ilminster Businesses are offering the chance to win a fabulous prize in the First Tuesday draw. All you have to do is shop in Ilminster, look for the First Tuesday blue and green balloons outside businesses, shops, restaurants and pubs and then ask for details on how to enter.
30 businesses are taking part and it’s growing!

Arts in the Garden
This is the summer exhibition of the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen running in The Walled Gardens of Cannington, one of the Classic Gardens of Somerset.
Exhibition runs 16th - 27th June 2010
For information go to www.canningtonwalledgardens.co.uk

All lit up at Glastonbury
St Michael’s Tower on Glastonbury Tor - owned by the National Trust - is to be illuminated each night of Glastonbury Festival (23 to 27 June) from sunset to sunrise. Coloured light using the latest LED technology will go on at 21.31 British Summer Time each evening, the exact time of sunset. The Tor is five miles from Worthy Farm and will be visible from higher ground on the site as well as the surrounding countryside. And Festival goers this year also have the chance to escape to the National Trust’s Outside Inn and enjoy a fresh air bar and chill-out zone using Silent Disco headphones to listen to the sounds of the outdoors. Find out more about the NT at Glastonbury on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glastonbury or on Twitter.