Social Events
For What's on in Widcombe click here
Social events are an important part of our activities and our regular Spring AGM and Autumn Meeting are designed to be social occasions as well. In alternate years, we organise a Widcombe Festival, packing a variety of activities into June, as you can see below. Some of our more popular events are for members and their guests only, so if you are not a member, you should consider joining (Click Contact/Join above).
Our social events year begins on New Year's Day, when the Widcombe Mummers, sponsored by the Widcombe Association, make appearances at various venues in Widcombe.
In 2008, an intervening year, we held a few Summer events including a Widcombe Art Trail and a Bath Opera presentation of Verdi’s Falstaff at Crowe Hall.
For those who have been disappointed by the lack of an opera in Widcombe this year, here is advance notice of next year's event: Bath Opera will be performing Mozart's Cosi fan tutte in The Academy Hall, which is in the Mansion at Prior Park College, on Friday and Saturday July 9 &10 2010 with picnics beforehand on the lawn in front of the Mansion with its splendid views over Widcombe and Bath.
We hope our social programme will make people aware of the beauty and history of the area, and will help to bring residents together to meet their neighbours and make new friends.
Also in 2008 the Widcombe Association provided financial and moral support to the wonderful Widcombe Rising Street Party on Sunday 15th June, run by The Natural Theatre Company. For information on this and other Widcombe events, check out Widcombe.net. The next Widcombe Rising, also supported by the Widcombe Association, will take place on Sunday June 13th 2010 - a date for your diary.
For photos and details of past events, click here.
We should like feedback on all events and suggestions for new ventures. Considerable organisation is involved, so if any members can help, for instance in stewarding or distributing posters, please contact Sarah Lewis on 315491 or email Sarahalewis@btinternet.com .
Summer festival 2009
Some notes about bookings (as of 27th May):
We are sold out now for both Tunnel walks on Saturday 27 June. However it is a Sustrans Open Day, and details of how to join a tour of the Tunnel through them will be on their website in due course. www.twotunnels.org.uk
The Abbey Cemetery Tour led by Philip Bendall on 17 June has also sold out. We hope he might do a repeat next year for those that missed it. Phil Bendall is also giving us the benefit of his experience in researching family history, and there are spaces for his talk on 11 June.
There are still spaces for the Holloway walk and for the talk.
We regret that the Fashion Show scheduled for 4 June has been cancelled due to lack of support.
The Widcombe Baptists are hosting Bus Station Florists' tips and floral demonstrations on Tuesday 16 June. This is at coffee time and cake and coffee are included in the £5 ticket – bring your friends!
Tickets are going speedily for the Widcombe Manor Garden Party. The gardens at Violet Bank Farm and Fairstowe are opening for WA members only, but members may invite guests. This will be a real treat, lots of amazing work has recently taken place in the garden at Fairstowe, and the results are spectacular and inspirational. Both gardens are a delight not only in their structure and planting, but in the wonderful vistas and views they command. Added attractions are an exhibition of work produced at the Painting Days at Widcombe Manor and Fairstowe, a small exhibition of the history of the Macaualay Buildings area, maps etc and music by the Zephyrian Woodwind Orchestra.
The Meet your neighbours dinner is heading to be a good party, with about 20 tickets sold already – get yours and join in! Likewise the Boules Tournament – quite a few teams already – sign up and join the fun!
Here is the programme for this year's Summer Festival, which the events committe have been working hard to put together. You can download the full programme here complete with ticket ordering form.
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In the morning visit CHARLES DOWDING'S FARM at Shepton Montague near Bruton. Charles will give a tour and tell us how he grows vegetables and salad crops the NO DIG WAY. Lunch available at a local pub. In the afternoon on to the NATIONAL TRUST HOUSE AND GARDEN LYTES CAREY MANOR near Somerton. This intimate manor house dates from 14th-century. Its Arts & Crafts-style garden is a combination of outdoor rooms, topiary, statues and herbaceous borders. Teas available. Cost £15 to include coach and tour and talk by Charles Dowding. Entrance to Lytes Carey not included, pay on day or bring your NT membership card. Places limited . To book a place contact Alex Nash 01225314924 or Eileen Rodger 0122542487 |
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Roundabout and SheX will be presenting a joint fashion show modelling both women's and children's wear. Come and see the latest Widcombe collections and be ahead of the trend. Informal atmosphere - see, touch and talk. Tickets £5 to include refreshments. Children £2.50 |
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Artists are welcome to bring their paints and picnic to the garden and paint or sketch.. We plan to meet at the venue, have coffee, then work individually. Most will gather together to have lunch, then more artwork and finally convene as a group to discuss our day. Drinks available, also a loo. Not suitable for total beginners. Artist Sue Wales will be on hand to give advice. Contact Sarah Lewis sarahalewis@btinternet.com or phone 315491 to reserve a place and for more info, including parking possibilities. £10 (pay on day ) |
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7.30pm at the Widcombe Baptists Church rooms, – entrance from canal tow path. Illustrated talk by Dr Philip Bendall who has researched the people buried in Abbey Cemetery. He is still researching his own family history, which is bound up with the history of Widcombe. Tickets £5 to include refreshments |
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Meet your friends, make new ones and learn something fresh! Bus Station Florists will show you some interesting arrangements of seasonal flowers and plants you can recreate at home. Free raffle. Coffee and cake provided. Remember W A members get 10% discount on purchases at Bus Station Florists. Tickets £5 |
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Artists are welcome to bring their paints and picnic to the garden and paint or sketch.. We plan to meet at the venue, have coffee, then work individually. Most will gather together to have lunch, then more artwork and finally convene as a group to discuss our day. Drinks available, also a loo. Not suitable for total beginners. Artist Sue Wales will be on hand to give advice. Contact Sarah Lewis sarahalewis@btinternet.com or phone 315491 to reserve a place and for more info, including parking possibilities. £10 (pay on day) |
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Another opportunity to discover more about this interesting area. Parties will be led by Doreen Collier and Margaret Burrows of Widcombe & Lyncombe Local History Society. Meet by St Mark's Church. Tickets £4 |
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An opportunity to make new friends or meet up with familiar faces. Enjoy a three-course meal - The menu will have 3 choices per course, plus a vegetarian option, from which to make your selection prior to the event. Please advise of any dietary requirements. Also included is a glass of wine/beer on arrival, coffee and service charge. Singles welcome – Random Seating. £27.50 per person |
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11 am or 2 pm Meet under the old railway bridge at the end of Lyncombe Vale We have secured the services of the Sustrans rangers to lead two WA only walks through the longer of the tunnels on the Two Tunnels Shared Path from Lyncombe Vale to Tucking Mill. The walk through the tunnel itself will take about an hour. WA guides will then lead the party overland via the ‘drungs' and Blind Lane back to Lyncombe Vale (alternatively you may return via the tunnel). The overland return is steep and challenging. Sturdy shoes are essential. Each person should bring a torch. Hard hats will be issued. Bring own drinks etc No cars please in Lyncombe Vale Road. WA members only. |
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A wonderful opportunity to visit six of the fascinating religious buildings in Widcombe, some of which rarely open to the public. Take your family round this interesting walk, which includes some of the most beautiful parts of Widcombe. Maps (with brief historical notes) will be available at the venues and Teas will be available at Widcombe Baptists. FREE EVENT, but some venues may request a donation to assist upkeep. Map/details here Open are: Widcombe Baptist Church, St Thomas a Becket, Abbey Cemetery Chapel, First Church of Christ, Scientist (formerly Temperance Hall) , RC cemetery chapel , Eyre Mortuary Chapel (NB Eyre chapel open 2-4 only) |
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Boules is a game for all – come and join the fun with teams of 3 players. Bring a picnic and all the family to enjoy the fabulous view, children's recreational area and play in or support your favourite team. Lots of wonderful prizes to be won. £15 per team of 3 players To play a team will require 3 players, 6 boules and 1 jack. Please apply before Monday June 8th, as there will be a limited number of teams. All instructions, rules and game times will be sent out week commencing 15 th June. Any questions or queries please email: lesley.baker@ukonline.co.uk We have a few boules sets that could be borrowed. |
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Entrance to garden and tour by Derry £5. Meet at Garden at 2.30pm Plants for sale. Teas available. Let us know if you would like a lift or can offer a lift. To book a place on the tour contact |
If you have any suggestions or ideas for other events that might appeal to the people of Widcombe please contact Sarah Lewis Tel 315491 sarahalewis@btinternet.com
We would also like to hear from you if you could help in any way to run this programme!