We are delighted that Alison and Duncan Waller have joined the Exmoor Holiday Group. They have a lovely self-catering cottage which sleeps two people. It's called The Freight Shed, because that's what it was in the good old days when there was a railway line over the Brendon Hills. The Freight Shed is a cosy hideaway for one or two people, with a woodburning stove in the bed/sitting room, and a separate kitchen and shower room. Dogs are allowed by arrangement.
The Wallers also have a very popular Land Rover safari business, called Barle Valley Safaris. They take guests on a fascinating trip around Exmoor in a spacious 110 Land Rover, often using little-known off-road tracks and ancient byways. In the ten years they have been providing safaris, they have gained a tremendous knowledge of Exmoor and its wildlife. The safaris start from Dulverton, Dunster and Minehead.

This year, the Dunster and Minehead safaris are allowed (under a special agreement with the Crown Estate) to use tracks in the Dunster Forest, which is an area of about 9,000 acres of woodland and moorland. For further information about the Freight Shed and Barle Valley Safaris please see http://www.exmoorwildlifesafaris.co.uk/

John and Penny Adie at Barkham http://www.holidays-exmoor.com/ are hosting a garden party on 28th and 29th June, in aid of the Two Moors Festival . There will be wine and Pimms, food, croquet, table tennis and (of course) music, which will be in the garden, weather permitting. On the Sunday there will be the grand finale of Beethoven's Choral Symphony conducted by Tom Poster.

The Garden at Barkham
No pre-booking needed but call 01643 831370 if you would like further information.

Margaret Rawle owns Winsbere House B&B, on the edge of Dulverton (which is where the Exmoor National Park Authority has its headquarters). Margaret has been busy over the winter. The house has been painted and the two double rooms have been re-decorated. Winsbere House has just been awarded Visit Britain 4 stars, so the hard work has been worthwhile! Margaret is a keen photographer. This is a photo she took of Dulverton:

At 3pm ans 4pm every Sunday during July and August, plus August Bank Holiday, there will be 'Dulverton Proms' in All Saints Parish Church, Dulverton. There will be a programme of popular organ, piano and choral music. Admission is free, but visitors are welcome to make a donation towards church funds. 'Come when you can -- go when you must!'

Also, on Sunday 10th August 11am to 5pm, several private gardens will be open to the public in and around Dulverton, to help raise funds for St Mararet's Hospice and The Riverside Youth Centre. Cream teas will be served in the Vicarage Garden.

Margaret advises anyone wanting a good view of Exmoor ponies in their natural habitat (open moorland) to look out for the 'Anchor Herd' on Winsford Hill, near Tarr Steps. She writes: 'Over 40 mares and around 20 foals are living along the full stretch of the moor from Mounsey Hill Gate to Comersgate this season. Do drive slowly, especially after dark, as they sometimes graze near the busy road.' She took this photo of a mare and foal on Winsford Hill:

If you see free-living ponies, please don't attempt to feed or stroke them. Most of them have never been handled, and you could get hurt. Also, ponies who associate cars with good things tend to hang around roads and car parks, where they could get run over.