Exmoor Radio

The Exmoor Radio Show - Episode 16

The Exmoor Radio Show shares stories and conversations with the people who work and play in Britain's most magical national park. The programme is recorded on location in Exmoor and produced in Lynton by Keri Jones. In this episode of The Exmoor Radio Show: The Exmoor village of Brendon has found an innovative way to raise funds for church and village hall repairs. Exmoor Radio attended their first ferret racing evening and, it seems, nearly every resident of this remote Somerset community was in attendance on a damp, dark February evening. (00:58) Lyn Valley author, Simon Dawson, has developed a devoted following for his books, which share his comic observations and quirky stories about living off the grid sustainability at the Exmoor smallholding he shares with his wife Debbie. Keri Jones chatted with Simon about his latest books. One of his forthcoming releases is all about butter but Simon is also preparing to publish his most challenging writing project to date. 'The Boy Without Love' tells the story of Simon's unhappy past. His mother did not love him. Simon explains how difficult it was to write this deeply personal account of his childhood. (06:56) Culbone is a magical and spiritual part of Exmoor and Porlock resident Jeff Cox discovered this secluded valley by chance. Jeff, his wife Jean and his son Philip were on walking holiday from their Warwickshire home when they knocked on the door of Culbone Lodge and asked for directions. The following conversation with resident Joan Cooper changed the course of the family's life. Jeff will talk about his life in Culbone and his work with author, mystic and yoga teacher Joan in a talk at Porlock's Dovery Manor Museum at 2.30pm on Thursday 28th February. (20:24) Exmoor National Park Authority is funding a poetry project that will tell the story of moorland farming today. The Park has awarded a £2,500 grant to support the Pasture Fed Livestock Association's poet in residence. Exmoor Radio talks with writer Adam Horowitz and hears how he has been shadowing farmers on two Exmoor farms whilst preparing his pieces for a new publication. (27:09)

The Exmoor Radio Show - Episode 15

The Exmoor Radio Show shares stories and conversations with the people who work and play in Britain's most magical national park. The programme is recorded on location in Exmoor and produced in Lynton by Keri Jones. In this episode of The Exmoor Radio Show: Linda and Peter Hendrie are the longest-serving landlord and landlady in the 16th century White Horse Inn's history. The couple chat with Keri Jones about some of the milestone events during their thirty years in charge of the Exford pub. They talk about extending the accommodation, their role in community life, the impact of the devastating foot and mouth outbreak and taking on the village's youth hostel. (00:43) John Loveless is a 'visual storyteller', according to Facebook! The published author is also passionate about telling the story of Lynton and Lynmouth through his ever-expanding photographic archive. John has been sharing his vast collection on the Lyn Valley History Facebook page. He tells Keri Jones about his favourite image, the scene he would love to find captured in a picture, and he explains how he applies detective techniques to dating images. (14:04) When did you last get on your bike? On Exmoor, we're lucky that cycling is safer than in cities and, of course, the scenery is spectacular. If it's been a while since you've pushed pedals, you still have time to get into training for a bike ride across the moor on 1st September. Darren McKimm organises the Great Exmoor Ride for charity. He talks with Keri Jones about the 66-mile route. (21:51) Exmoor National Park is offering visitors and locals an insight into a park ranger's duties through a series of special, 6-hour day tours. It's the second year of this initiative. During the guided Land Rover ride, the ranger will stop at a hill farm, beauty and wildlife spots. Ranger Dave Gurnett tells Exmoor Radio that there's lots of good homemade food and a special souvenir for passengers to take home. And Dave talks about the common misunderstanding about national parks that he tries to address during the tour. (26:36)

The Exmoor Radio Show - Episode 14

The Exmoor Radio Show shares stories and conversations with the people who work and play in Britain's most magical national park. The programme is recorded on location in Exmoor and produced in Lynton by Keri Jones. In this episode of The Exmoor Radio Show: We visit the historic forge in Allerford to hear about their plans for the future, which will be of interest to art-loving visitors. Director Kieren Roberts chats about some of the interesting and prestigious jobs the team has undertaken recently in this busy workshop, including a special project in Porlock. And he explains that staff didn't believe that an overseas order they received was genuine. You'll hear why. (00:58) When Shaun Bryant was growing up in Kent he had never heard of a lengthsman. Most people are unaware of this occupation, but many Exmoor visitors and locals benefit from the work. Shaun is a maintenance and repairman for a number of parishes on the Somerset side of the moor. He talks with Keri Jones about his role, which can be traced back to medieval times. (11:32) Hundreds of people will wade into Wimbleball Lake's waters for the Exmoor Open Water Swim on 29th September. Event director Mike Morris explains why he started the swim and what it feels likes to take part - including how warm the water is! Entrants can support good causes. There are different lengths of swim, depending on ability, and Mike says that some swimmers are very fast. (16:42) Two years ago, Paul and Helen Ridgewell moved from Cornwall to Lynton and opened a gallery in the town's Old Bank House. Gallery @ 500 Feet's name, of course, refers to the elevation of the upper twin village. Over the past two years the couple's range of contemporary and eclectic art has become a firm favourite with both visitors and locals. Paul and Helen are not artists and they had never run a shop before. They explain why they have changed careers and why they love living on the moor. In March, Helen will open a second shop in Lynton, too. (21:33) Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is planning a not-so-romantic Valentine's Day event. They want to see whether couples can prepare and consume a Devon Cream Tea during the short ride from the upper to bottom station. Cliff Railway manager Ashley Clarke explains what will happen. (31:01)

The Exmoor Radio Show - Episode 13

The Exmoor Radio Show shares stories and conversations with the people who work and play in Britain's most magical national park. The programme is recorded on location in Exmoor and produced in Lynton by Keri Jones. In this episode of The Exmoor Radio Show: Exmoor Radio visits Snowdrop Valley, near Wheddon Cross, to see the flowers out in bloom and meet Eric Norman, who chairs the Parish Council committee that oversees the event. They arrange park and ride buses and charge a very small fee to raise cash for local causes from visitors who come to view this wonderful seasonal spectacle. But Keri Jones from Exmoor Radio hears how a major engineering project elsewhere in Somerset has created a challenge for Eric and his team. Tony Howard owns the 1950s vintage former filling station in Withypool. It's one of Exmoor's most photographed sites and Tony reveals that a celebrity has posed in front of the pumps. The petrol station closed following the foot and mouth crisis, but Tony hopes to start a new service soon that could keep moor drivers motoring. Paul Williams of Ilfracombe's Rotary Club tells Keri Jones of Exmoor Radio about an eight or sixteen mile orienteering challenge overnight on Exmoor. It's called the StarTrek. It is taking place on March 2nd and the event has raised an incredible amount of money so far - over £1million for the chosen charity. At the end of January, Dunster residents learned about the discoveries that the Dig Village archaeology project had made in their village. Creator of TV's 'Time Team' Prof Tim Taylor tells Exmoor Radio that experts have learned that Dunster's buildings are older than may people had previously thought.

The Exmoor Radio Show - Episode 12

The Exmoor Radio Show shares stories and conversations with the people who work and play in Britain's most magical national park. The programme is recorded on location in Exmoor and produced in Lynton by Keri Jones. In this episode of The Exmoor Radio Show: We visit Exmoor artist, Melody Hawtin, in Porlock. Melody sees Exmoor's colours unlike any other local artist. She accentuates each hue to create a vibrant and brilliant representation of the moor. Melody can teach you how to paint, too! She hosts frequent courses at her studio at The Tannery, in the centre of the village. Soon, Melody will promote Exmoor in Northern Ireland, when her paintings are displayed at a major exhibition in Belfast. (00:57) If you love locally sourced food or enjoy eating out then you need to know about the Exmoor Food Fest. Pubs and restaurants all over the moor are offering discounted meals and taster menus throughout February. The festival is in its fifth year and Exmoor Radio caught up with founder, Elke Winzer, to hear what's new in 2019. (11:07) Lynton enjoyed a street performance from The Exmoor Border Morris Dancers recently. Their striking and colourful appearance is vastly different from what you may expect from a Morris group. We spoke with founder, Barry Cann, and heard the reason for their unusual attire and blue make-up. (16:20) If you have an interesting picture of Dunster, you could win prizes with it, including a stay at the Luttrell Arms or a photography course with a professional based in the village. Lucy Green explains why local traders have launched this contest and how you can take part or help to select a winner. (20:30) Highcliffe House in Lynton is officially the best B&B in Devon! Soon, owners Jason Broughton and Neal Cobb will find out whether their business is the best in the Southwest, too. Keri visited the men and heard how they believe that Lynton has changed in the past two years. The couple will share some of the secrets of their success, too. (24:34)