From Watercolours, acrylics and, her favourite medium Oils, Ann captures the atmosphere of the day with her artworks. Preferring to paint 'en plein air’ Ann admits there is no better way to capture the scene than being there in person. Her art shows this with atmosphere and light, saying even on an overcast day there can be contrasts.

Ann can often be seen setting up her easel at various locations around Exmoor National Park. Exmoor itself offers so many different challenges with landscapes, seascapes and wildlife.

01598 752509 NPCLynmouth@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

Parracombe is hosting its first arts and literary festival, including workshops, walks, talks, theatre, music and film, all taking place between the two bank holidays in May. Highlights include Daily Telegraph writer Eleanor Steafel talking about her ABC of cookery, author Luke Aylen is part of our writer's workshop, unpacking the three big components for fiction writing: setting, characters, and plot-types while Annie Garthwaite discusses her novel 'Cecily', focussing on one of England's greatest medieval women. There's plenty more on the schedule, too. Don't miss it. Tickets range from £15 to free

07966486743 westcoastnews@btinternet.com

Simonsbath Festival is a non profit making community festival which celebrates all things Exmoor in the six weeks between May Day and Midsummer. In the spirit of diversity the festival offers a variety of events and activities including talks, classical, folk and jazz music. The festival also collaborates with partners The Exmoor Society and the Exmoor Running and Walking Festival whose events showcase properties and locations on Exmoor that are not easily viewed from public roads. You can find more details of these collaborative activities in the events section of this website. They give an unrivaled insight into Exmoor countryside, its heritage, life and people.

Marian Lloyd - 01643 831451 philip.hull@simonsbathfestival.org.uk

The Golden Horseshoe ride, held annually in Exford, Somerset, in the very heart of the Exmoor National Park, is the UK’s oldest competitive endurance ride.  The first Golden Horseshoe Ride, sponsored by the Telegraph, was organised on Exmoor in 1965 and then in subsequent years at different venues throughout the country, before returning permanently to Exford in 1974.  Over the years the 'Golden Horseshoe' has increased in stature to become one of the ultimate ‘bucket-list’ endurance rides (as listed by Horse and Hound Magazine) and it gives a welcome pre-season boost to inhabitants of the National Park who earn their living from tourism.

​Historically the ride has been the preserve of the top echelon of competitive endurance riding, requiring a very fit horse and an experienced rider to cope with a ride often made more challenging by the weather.  Over the last 10 years, Ride Organisers Barbara Wigley and then more recently Jo and Andrew Chisholm have worked hard to broaden the ride’s appeal, particularly to non-endurance riders and grass-roots endurance riders. This has been done with the introduction of a non-competitive pleasure ride which, in recent years, has been a sell-out and the Exmoor Experience two-day event which gives riders at lower levels the chance to participate and sample “Horseshoe country”.  Shelley and Maggie hope to continue that legacy whilst rebuilding the appeal of the challenge of the top classes to our high level riders and those that want to aspire to achieve the very pinnacle of the sport.

As well as the ultimate in endurance riding, the annual fun dog show has proved to be a big success and will be held once again in 2024.

Spectators are welcome.

07760 264619 / 07980 653457 ghs2023@onthehoofdt.co.uk