Welcome to Exmoor Magazine

Welcome to our Autumn Issue! I hope that everyone is having a good summer and feels ready for the coloured cloths and mists of autumn to land softly on our landscape as we head into some of the loveliest months of the year. When this issue comes out we will be preparing ourselves for Exford and Dunster Shows – at both of which I take huge pleasure in meeting our readers face to face. If you plan to be at either show please do come and say hello – we will be in the craft tent at both events.

Our shows remind us of the importance of contact in an area where many people do not see others for large chunks of time. And we have touched on that theme in this issue. Community is so important and we begin with a story which really highlights the strength of community, and celebrate this in our articles about Porlock Carnival and Minehead Barbarians, too.

Whatever brings you joy in this lovely season, whether it be getting out in the landscape or reminiscing by the fire, I hope that you find kinship in the community and on these pages. 

As well as a whole range of features from our regular writers and photographers in this issue (browse the contents page here), I have decided to add a little note near the start of every magazine about our cover photo because, in an age of AI images proliferating across our media, we thought it might be nice to tell you about our very real cover pics each time. 

Shaun Davey, who photographed the ponies which grace this Autumn Issue’s prime position, says: “This is one of those spontaneous photos that you simply cannot plan. Whilst out walking, we encountered this group of Exmoor ponies that had congregated on Granny’s Ride. As we approached, slowly, being careful not to spook them, they decided to line up beautifully for the camera before dispersing into the wood.”

I bid you happy reading as you dive into the pages of Issue 116 and hope that you have a fabulous autumn!

Love from Naomi, Hurley and the mag team, including all of our fabulous contributors and their animal companions.

Image © Nina Dodd