About us
Exmoor Friends aims to bring people together, of all ages, all backgrounds. Through our talks we want to widen our horizons; with our interest groups we want to enable the sharing of our knowledge and enthusiasms; with our information bulletins we highlight local events to keep members informed; while through all our activities we want to foster a strong sense of community, friendship and fun. It is important to us to convey a caring and an enquiring attitude towards everyone and everything, including our environment, our towns and villages, and what’s going on around us.
Membership
Exmoor Friends is open to anyone with a connection to Exmoor. We ask for a modest annual subscription to cover our costs. However, for those under 30 years of age membership is free. Non-members are welcome to attend a talk or session for free, essentially to see if they would like to join.
Interest Groups
These are led by our members and most importantly are fun, but they also aim to stimulate those brain waves and get us thinking, debating and discussing; while promoting new friendships and developing new interests and hobbies.
Space permitting, the interest groups are open to all members.
Interest groups are led and arranged by our members with the support of the committee. We invite any member to come forward and to suggest a topic or activity that they would like to lead on, so that another interest group can be formed.
If anyone has an interest or passion which they would like to consider developing into their own interest group, the committee would love to hear from you and will offer our support and assistance to establish one.
Monthly talks
We hold a speaker event on the last Wednesday of the month in Dulverton Town Hall, excluding January, August and December. Refreshments are available from 10am, our talk starts at 10.30am and lasts for about an hour. Our speakers usually come from Exmoor and they cover a range of topics including science, history, the environment, the arts and most importantly some are about our beautiful Exmoor and the communities which live here.
We aim to have our programme of monthly talks arranged at the start of the year. If other subjects of topical interest come up during the year additional talks are arranged, which are often organised for an evening it order to vary the timings.
Keeping in touch
We also keep members informed regarding events and local matters of interest. Regular emails are sent to update members about local concerts, shows, films, lectures, plus events from the Exmoor Society and Exmoor National Park. For those not on email some hard copies are provided.
We invite contributions from our members if they have items of news and events which might be suitable for sharing with our members.
The future
Exmoor Friends has a well-established programme of talks. We are keen to expand our range of interest groups and plan to arrange more social outings and additional events.
Our Committee
Martha J Wrigley
After coming to Dulverton for 20 years in their caravan, Martha, Steve and their Border Collies decided to move to Dulverton nine years ago. One of the best decisions they ever made! Martha worked in the NHS as a nurse, developing her career in clinical research to become a Research & Development Manager. She was also an Honorary Research Fellow with the universities of Surrey, Brighton and Plymouth.
Ruth Calvert-Smith
Ruth is a long retired teacher, slightly shorter retired secretary to a land agent and finally Assistant Secretary of a golf club (no I don’t play golf!). I visited Dulverton with friends 15 years ago and decided there and then it was where I wanted to live. Five years later I fulfilled my dream. I enjoy life with dogs, horses, the moor and the wonderful community that is Dulverton.
Ruth Calvert-Smith
Ruth is a long retired teacher, slightly shorter retired secretary to a land agent and finally Assistant Secretary of a golf club (no I don’t play golf!). I visited Dulverton with friends 15 years ago and decided there and then it was where I wanted to live. Five years later I fulfilled my dream. I enjoy life with dogs, horses, the moor and the wonderful community that is Dulverton.
Jo Daughtry
Jo lives in Dulverton with husband Steve, mum Chris, rescued feral feline Lulu and two springers Judy & Lola who create joy and smiles every single day, as does living here in such a wonderful friendly community surrounded by the beauty of Exmoor. Jo is also involved with the Heritage Centre, path monitoring for Exmoor National Park and winding the church clock. She is a Chartered Management Accountant and was Commercial Director for a landscape maintenance company, retiring recently after 30 years’ continuous service.
Hugh Forster
Hugh is the mostly-retired director of an engineering consultancy, working from home with occasional visits to London. He has lived in Dulverton since the end of 2022, with his wife Tandra, having identified this area as clearly the best place to live between Taunton and Exeter. His mum was brought up in the Quantocks, and he has numerous relatives across Somerset.
Hugh Forster
Hugh is the mostly-retired director of an engineering consultancy, working from home with occasional visits to London. He has lived in Dulverton since the end of 2022, with his wife Tandra, having identified this area as clearly the best place to live between Taunton and Exeter. His mum was brought up in the Quantocks, and he has numerous relatives across Somerset.
Richard Longman
Richard is a retired GP. “We have been coming to Exmoor for more than forty years so moving here was a dream fulfilled. Retirement has enabled me to pursue several interests now that I have the time to do so “.
Chris Nelder
Chris is a Dulverton man born and bred; now over 90 years of age. He has worked with his hands for most of his life, employed on a huge array of machinery; loving every minute of it! He did National Service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Spending three very hot years in Egypt, he never once picked up a rifle.
Chris was the first Mayor of Dulverton, and was Town Council Chairman for 20 years. He was also the lead for the Working Model of Dulverton Station, which was started back in 1986.
Chris Nelder
Chris is a Dulverton man born and bred; now over 90 years of age. He has worked with his hands for most of his life, employed on a huge array of machinery; loving every minute of it! He did National Service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Spending three very hot years in Egypt, he never once picked up a rifle.
Chris was the first Mayor of Dulverton, and was Town Council Chairman for 20 years. He was also the lead for the Working Model of Dulverton Station, which was started back in 1986.