New partnerships support organic growth at Feltham’s Farm

ONE of the region’s award-winning cheesemakers, Feltham’s Farm near Wincanton has announced details of three new wholesaler partnerships across the UK, expanding its reach significantly as demand continues to grow at the certified organic dairy. New wholesalers now stocking the Feltham’s Farm range of multi-award-winning products include fine food specialists, Carron Lodge in Lancashire, Suma…

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Children’s book prize

THERE is a hugely competitive world of children’s books – best-selling authors like Michael Murpurgo, Jackie Donaldson or Jacqueline Wilson sell millions of books, and authors and broadcasters like Michael Rosen are a huge box office draw. But getting a foot on the ladder of top children’s writers is a struggle. Publisher and writer Tim…

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Affordable tickets for Yeovil pantomime

YEOVIL’s Westlands Entertainments Venue has released 1,000 tickets priced just £3 for this year’s pantomime, Aladdin, as part of the venue’s accessible ticket scheme. The special low-cost ticket offer is aimed at ensuring local families in low-income households do not miss out on the magic of live festive theatre during challenging economic times. The accessible…

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Somerset Taste of the West winners

A WIDE range of food and drink products from Somerset have won gold awards in this year’s regional Taste of the West Awards, and now go forward for a final round of judging. Somerset producers won 34 Taste of the West Awards, from eggs and sausages to jam and ice cream, recognised with Gold, Silver…

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Gold again for Poole’s Lighthouse

POOLE’s Lighthouse arts centre has retained the Gold award at the Dorset Tourism Awards, where it was named Business Events Venue of the Year. It is the fourth time in five years that the arts centre has won this coveted award (in 2024 it had the silver award). The awards follow a three-month judging process…

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Poetry with a wry smile

FANS of contemporary comic poetry – or even just occasional Facebook users – are sure to have come across the witty and vividly contemporary writing of Brian Bilston. Now the social media star (he apparently has more than 500,000 followers) is on tour, and you can catch him live at the Electric Palace at Bridport on…

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Talented teenagers picked for Honk!

FOUR young performers, aged 16 and 17, have been chosen to join the cast of Honk!, the Christmas show at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester. They will be playing the ducklings and froglets in the award-winning musical, which runs from 21st November to 3rd January 2027. Artistic Director Iwan Lewis announced the names of the four…

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Silver jubilee for St Agnes Fountain

CHRISTMAS just wouldn’t be the same for folk fans without the traditional visit by St Agnes Fountain, the acclaimed folk group who bring their special sparkly brand of festive music to the Beehive and the David Hall this year on Thursday 10th December at Honiton, Sunday 13th at South Petherton and Tuesday 15th at Forest…

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Bluegrass from the West Country

BLUEGRASS may be most associated with the Appalachian Mountains, but its origins lie deep in the remote Celtic and ancient traditions of Britain – Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall … and the far West Country county is the home of Flats & Sharps, the internationally popular bluegrass band which is coming to Dorset for three dates with…

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Take me back to old Budapest

BUDAPEST, with its dramatic location on the Danube, is one of Europe’s great cities, half of the twin hearts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and a cultural Mecca with a dark and enthralling history. Perhaps its greatest period was the late 19th century and the first three decades of the 20th – the music of that…

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