9th - 11th Priddy Folk Fayre (between Wells & Cheddar)

9th - 17th Somerton Arts Festival

9th - 11th NASS'10 - National Action Sports Show @ Bath & West Show Ground

9th - 18th - Frome Music Festival, Frome

10th - Tarrant Hinton Village Fete & Fun Dog Show

10th - Sedgemoor Vintage Show, Highbridge

10th - Yeovilton International Air Day 08445 780780 (tickets)

10th - Somerton Market & Craft Show 10am - 4pm

10th & 11th - Haynes Model Motor Show @ Sparkford

16th - 18th - BIG GIG 2010 @ Bath & West Show Ground 9am to 5pm

16th - 18th Low Ham Steam Rally, Low Ham, Langport - great family day out

17th & 18th - Great Mini Meet @ Sparkford

18th - 2pm Beckery Chapel, Glastonbury 2pm - 4pm 3 mile guided tour to the site of Beckery Chapel and walk into Glastonbury. 01823 255089

20th - Wiveliscombe Guided Walk 6pm - 8pm 4 mile guided tour of Wiveliscombe - contact Sarah Bisson on 01823 255089

24th & 25th - Festival of Football & Fun @ West Point show ground, Exeter

24th - Charlton’s Village Day @ Memorial Playing Fields, Charlton Adam TA11 7BE

25th - Lowland Games @ Thorney Lakes, Muddy fun for all

28th - Dunster Country Fair - well worth a visit

10th - 1st Aug - Harbourside Festival @ Bristol

2nd - 4th Paignton Dog Show, West Point Showground, Exeter

6th - 7th Taunton Flower Show, Vivary Park, Taunton

7th - Nunnery Street Fair

7th - 8th Glastonbury Abbey Music Extravaganza

8th - Dunster Castle under seige - battle re-enactment

15th - Mid Somerset Show, Shepton Mallet - FREE ADMISSION

15th - Monster Truck madness @ Sparkford

20th - Dunster Castle Show

27th - 30th Autumn Bank Holiday

29th - Giant Flea Market @ Bath & West Show Ground 9.30am to 4pm

30th - Italian Job Stunt Show @ Sparkford

Somerset Carnivals

Bridgwater Carnival was the first carnival to take place & is now the biggest, attracting over 100,000 people to the event each year. It dates back to 1605 when Guy Fawkes infamously tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The annual event is always the first friday after Bonfire Night. However, this is a recent change it used to be on Thursdays. This brought about an end to a carnival tradition - 'Black Friday', whereby participants celebrated their hard work (with the consumption of alcohol) the day after the carnival. Many carnivals are struggling to survive as a lot of money is needed to keep them going. Strict health & safety regulations have added to the cost. The original Bridgwater celebrations featured a large bonfire built out of a large wooden boat to which around 100 tar barrels were set alight at the Cornhill. The tradition was stopped however due to the lack of old wooden boats to burn and because a number of good boats were thrown onto the fire and burned by revellers.

CVlubs spend all year working on their carts, Effigies or 'guys' representing the funpowder plot instigators were added to the fire by local groups of people known as 'gangs'. This turned into a procession which became more elaborate over the years: featuring costumes & music until this became a key feature of the event.

Today, carnivals feature a parade of floats which are called carts and have people called 'masqueraders' who dance on them. They are large and elaborate and are built by local clubs - individually funded by charitable donations and sponsorship. The carts are built in members' free time on a voluntary basis and can cost around £20,000+. They are based on themes such as songs, Disney Characters and popular books. They are driven by tractors and require a large generator to provide enough power to light up the carts.

Bridgwater Carnival is famous for 'squibbing' which is when fireworks are held aloft on the end of a long wooden handle called a 'cosh'. The squibs give off sparks like a roman candle. They used to end with a loud bang, however Health & Safety concerns have meant this does not happen anymore.

Fancy going to one of the many carnivals? Why not stay at Bowdens and take advantage of the coach from the Park to the Glastonbury Carnival. One of the Largest that is held on a Saturday. Procession commences approx 7pm and finishes approx 9.30pm. Coach leaves the park late afternoon and returns when the procession has finished.

3rd & 4th Dunster Candle Light - WS Railway 01634 704996

4th - Owners Turkey & Tinsel Night - details nearer the time

12th - Giant Flea Market @ Bath & West Show Ground 9.30am to 4pm

19th - Toy & Train Show @ Bath & West Show Ground 10.30am to 3.30pm

25th Christmas Lunches served at 1pm - bookings only - menu & prices available approx July 2010

31st NEW YEARS EVE - Private Party for Seasonal, Static Owners & regular clients.