It's Somerset Day next week. It's May 11th and if you didn't know, where've you been hiding? Think of your favourite celebratory day - New Year's, Pancake, World Book... but you know... more Somersettier (made up word alert! ) :)
Anyway, the last thing you'll want to do is miss out on a day celebrating all things Somerset. We can't wait and so for this Four Thoughts, we couldn't think of a better person to put our questions to than Kathy Ford. She's only the Ambassador for Somerset Day!
Here's what Kathy had to say when we asked her a bit more about the day itself, and about what it means to her personally.
1. How did Somerset day come about?
In 2014, I saw loads of tweets about Lincolnshire Day and there are lots of other places that have a special day to celebrate their area, so of course I thought Somerset should be celebrated! I started a campaign drumming up support for my idea and eventually @PassionForSomerset, Kit Chapman and some local councillors agreed it should happen... and so it began. The date was chosen by public vote in January 2015 and last year was the first year we celebrated Somerset Day.
2. What does Somerset Day mean to you?
I've lived in Somerset all my life and would never want to live anywhere else. I've travelled to some amazing places but I can honestly say that for me, Somerset is the best. This county has so much to offer; from the West Somerset Railway to Bath's Roman Baths, from Exmoor to Cheddar... all of it is gorgeous. There are so many wonderful companies here too - Wyke Farms, Miles tea and coffee, Thatchers cider - I could go on and on! In a nutshell, I'm just really proud that my enthusiasm to celebrate Somerset day will be helping this wonderful county promote itself to the rest of the world.
3. What will you be doing to celebrate Somerset Day?
In my own village of Bishops Lydeard, we're having a yarnbomb trail around the village. It starts this weekend and lasts until 16th May.
On Saturday 14th, we're hosting a craft fair with entertainment from majorettes, morris dancers and the community choir... and Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard in Emmerdale, is the guest of honour! In the evening, we're holding a Ceilidh and on Sunday 15th at Gore Farm, we have a dog show, vintage farm displays, crafts, radio control cars and a Vintage Vehicles tour around the village.
4. Tell us a secret about Somerset Day that no-one else knows?
That's tricky because I’m always on Facebook and Twitter telling all! Having said that, I was secretly pleased that May was chosen to celebrate Somerset Day as it’s my birthday a few days after!!
Well, we'd like to say an early Happy Birthday to Ambassador Kathy and a big thanks for getting Somerset Day up and running. Any excuse to celebrate Somerset just a little bit more than we do already!
If you're joining in the celebrations, tweet us & let us know what you'll be up to. We're doing 3 'community blogs' next week to mark the occasion, sharing some Somerset stories that have either made us think or made us smile. On the day itself, we're going to Dimpsey Glamping to celebrate in style! That'll be on the blog too, of course.
Whatever you're doing on May 11th, Happy Somerset Day from us... and here's to our very cool county!
