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X-WR-CALNAME:Somerton Arts Festival
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Somerton Arts Festival
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DTSTART:20230101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250708T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250708T143000
DTSTAMP:20260430T004957
CREATED:20250404T152610Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T123105Z
UID:7950-1751985000-1751985000@somertonartsfestival.co.uk
SUMMARY:A Shoemakers Tale
DESCRIPTION:Event sponsored by John Rickard & Wendy Smart\nJoin us in the Parish Rooms to find out more about the origins a local company we’re all very familiar with – the iconic Clark’s Shoes. \n  \n \n200 Years of Clarks\nJoin Dr. Tim Crumplin as he charts the origins of the Clark family\, their beginnings in Street during the 18th century and the commercial and social influences the Quaker business had upon the town from the time of its founding in 1825 to today. Alongside the family records and collections\, the archives contain over 100\,000 items charting over 200 years of shoemaking history. In 2004 Tim was employed as a post-doctoral researcher to compile a history of the company\, he took on management of the collection in 2009. Tim is Somerton born and bred and is delighted to be giving us this insight into of one of the most famous names in footwear. \n  \nNew Shoemakers Museum\nFind out about the new Shoemakers Museum which is due to open in Street in September 2025. Director Rosie Martin is leading the project to create an exciting new visitor attraction that will make the collections of the Alfred Gillett Trust available to the public for the first time. The museum will share stories of over 200 years of shoemaking history\, focusing on the legacy of Clarks\, the iconic footwear brand founded in the village of Street. \nAfter 12 years of planning\, consent for a new building was granted in December 2023 and the months since have been an exciting whirlwind of designers\, architects\, builders\, ecologists\, and a host of specialists working together to bring the museum to life! Discover how Rosie and her team have managed to create an exciting and welcoming visitor experience opening in time to celebrate the bicentenary of Clarks shoes. \nRefreshments will be available between the two talks. \n  \nTicket prices:  Early Bird £7 | Standard £8 | On the Door £9\n\n\n\nBUY TICKETS\n\n\n\n  \n  \nTickets will also be available from Stationery House in Somerton from 1st May. Early Bird ends 25th May.
URL:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/events/a-shoemakers-tale/
LOCATION:Parish Rooms\, Somerton\, Market Pl\, Somerton TA11 7NB\, Somerton\, TA11 7NB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk,Town Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20160314_01_007.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250703T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250703T193000
DTSTAMP:20260430T004957
CREATED:20250404T151340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T123008Z
UID:7945-1751571000-1751571000@somertonartsfestival.co.uk
SUMMARY:Bringing History to Life
DESCRIPTION:Event sponsored by Matt Carson\nJoin us in the Parish Rooms for two fascinating talks by local historians taking us on a journey of discovery through some of the Second World War’s more interesting facets. \nThe Hunt For The Bismarck\nJosh Bassett\, Founder of Historigraph is back to tell us about one of the most dramatic and famous naval battles of WW2. Lasting for nine long days\, these events saw dozens of warships involved and two devastating sinkings in what became the most costly naval battle in the entire European war. \n \nThe Sinking of the Tirpitz\nDave Morris\, the Principal Conservator of the National Museum of the Royal Navy returns with another fascinating insight into local military history. Royal Academy artist Stanley Lewis was based at Low Ham on the Searchlight Battery and was commissioned by the navy to build a 3D papier-mache model of Alta Fjord for the pilots to study and learn the terrain/approach. Dave’s talk covers his story\, why the Tirpitz was where it was and all about how Dave is a leading a team to recover parts from one of the crashed Barracudas that took part in the raid. \n \nRefreshments will be available during the break between the two talks. \nTicket prices:  Early Bird £7 | Standard £8 | On the Door £9\n\n\n\nBUY TICKETS\n\n\n\n  \n  \nTickets will also be available from Stationery House in Somerton from 1st May. Early Bird ends 25th May.
URL:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/events/bringing-history-to-life/
LOCATION:Parish Rooms\, Somerton\, Market Pl\, Somerton TA11 7NB\, Somerton\, TA11 7NB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk,Town Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bismarck.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250702T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250702T190000
DTSTAMP:20260430T004957
CREATED:20250408T114609Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T122931Z
UID:7984-1751482800-1751482800@somertonartsfestival.co.uk
SUMMARY:Gin Tasting
DESCRIPTION:Event sponsored by Avalon Sciences\nJoin local drinks expert Stuart Avison as he guides you through an evening of all things gin! Learn about the history of gin and hear all about our local brand E18hteen. The evening begins with a G&T followed by samples of different flavoured gins and gin liqueurs and finishes with a gin cocktail. If you’re a gin lover and always wanted to understand more about the spirit\, this is the event for you. \nSpaces are limited to 30 so booking is essential. \nTicket prices:  Early Bird £16 | Standard £18\n\n\n\nBUY TICKETS\n\n\n\n  \n  \nTickets will also be available from Stationery House in Somerton from 1st May. Early Bird ends 25th May.
URL:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/events/gin-tasting/
LOCATION:The Etsome Arms\, Somerton\, West Street\, Somerton\, Somerset\, TA11 7PR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk,Town Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gin-tasting-galway-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240711T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240711T193000
DTSTAMP:20260430T004957
CREATED:20240325T114659Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240507T093423Z
UID:7561-1720726200-1720726200@somertonartsfestival.co.uk
SUMMARY:WW2 Talks
DESCRIPTION:An evening of fascinating talks given by two local historians… \nOperation Pedestal – The Convoy that Saved Malta\na presentation by Joshua Bassett\n \nIn August 1942\, the Royal Navy organised a large convoy to relieve the besieged island of Malta in the mediterranean. For four days and nights the ships pressed onwards in the face of fearsome German and Italian attacks. At great cost\, crucial food and fuel supplies were delivered to the island\, saving it from surrender in the nick of time. \nThe Great Escape and The Rolex Watches\na presentation by David Morris\nMany Allied military personnel were captured and taken prisoner of war during WW2\, with many airmen being held captive in the German camp Stalag Luft III (made famous by the film ‘The Great Escape’). Royal Navy Pilot Derek Martin\, a Devon Man\, was shot down over Norway in 1940\, taken prisoner by German Forces and spent the entire war behind the wire in Stalag Luft III.  This talk explores his story from take-off\, shoot down\, capture and time as a prisoner\, and explains how\, of all things\, Rolex wrist watches were a vital piece of escape equipment for those trying to break out\nand make a run for it. Intrigued? Come and learn more about ‘The Rolex Great Escape watches’. \nThere will be a break between the talks at 8.15. Price includes tea\, coffee and biscuits. \nTicket prices:  Early Bird £7  |  Advance £8 | On the Door £9\n\n\n\nBUY TICKETS\n\n\n\n  \n  \n\n 
URL:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/events/ww2-talks/
LOCATION:Parish Rooms\, Somerton\, Market Pl\, Somerton TA11 7NB\, Somerton\, TA11 7NB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk,Town Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240710T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240710T160000
DTSTAMP:20260430T004957
CREATED:20240202T134620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240701T181703Z
UID:7437-1720621800-1720627200@somertonartsfestival.co.uk
SUMMARY:A Somerset Miscellany
DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by WineWize\nDavid is a film maker from Bristol and has been making films and TV programmes\, often featuring Somerset for many years (modesty prevents us from saying how many years!). He did a couple of film shows for the Festival in pre-Covid days and we’ve asked him to return for an afternoon film show and talk about the glories of our wonderful county. \nNo doubt he’ll talk about the Somerset & Dorset Railway (aka Slow & Dirty)\, Somerset’s castles and churches\, but he’ll also talk and show film about some of the characters he has met and the farming & countryside traditions of this fascinating county.\nThis is sure to be a popular event so get your tickets early! \nTicket prices:  Early Bird £7  |  Advance £8   |   On the Door £9\n\n\n\nBUY TICKETS\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/events/a-somerset-miscellany/
LOCATION:Parish Rooms\, Somerton\, Market Pl\, Somerton TA11 7NB\, Somerton\, TA11 7NB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk,Town Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DavidParker.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240707T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240707T140000
DTSTAMP:20260430T004957
CREATED:20230203T143057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240701T182328Z
UID:6952-1720353600-1720360800@somertonartsfestival.co.uk
SUMMARY:A walk through time - History Walk  12pm
DESCRIPTION:Tickets for the walk at 2pm have now sold out\, so Martyn has agreed to guide two more walks. This one is at 12pm. \nMartyn Smith\, the Somerton Music & Arts Festival treasurer\, will be your guide for a tour of historic Somerton. Martyn was born in the Midlands and a job-related move brought him to Somerton in 1990.\nHe says ‘Somerton is such a great place to live and I’m always proud to show people around our ancient hill-top town with its interesting buildings and beautiful church.’\nThis gentle walk will take around one hour or so and will take in St Michael’s Church and some of the other old buildings in the historic centre of town.\nThe group size is limited to 20 so it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment. The walk starts from the cobbled area outside Somerton Parish Rooms.\nAs this walk takes place through the town\, participants should wear appropriate footwear and be especially aware when crossing roads. \nTicket price :  Advance: £6\n\n\n\nBUY NOW\n12pm HISTORY WALK\n\n\n\n  \n  \n\n 
URL:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/events/history-walk/
LOCATION:Market Place\, Somerton\, Market Place\, Somerton\, Somerset\, TA11 7NB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk,Town Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://somertonartsfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/IMG_1652-scaled.jpeg
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