We’re delighted to bring you the latest updates from our current programme, along with highlights from across Somerset. With so much of our work centred around Cultivate, we’ve combined our news into one easy-to-read update so you can stay in the loop with everything happening in our creative community.
Somerset Artist Networking Event
We’re teaming up once again with Taunton Brewhouse to host another informal Artists’ Networking Event, open to theatre-makers, dancers, circus performers, spoken word artists and performance poets.
This relaxed get-together is a chance to share news, spark ideas, talk about training, and explore potential collaborations. Many great partnerships have begun at past events, and we’re excited to see what new conversations and creative possibilities emerge this time.
As always, we’ll have tea, cake and biscuits on hand, plus plenty of supportive faces to make everyone feel welcome. Whether you’re an established artist or just starting out, do join us for an afternoon of connection and inspiration.
Event details
2pm–4pm, Wednesday, 10 December, 2025
The Westward Room, Taunton Brewhouse, Coal Orchard, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JL
If you’d like to come along, please email theatre@takeart.org by Monday 8 December, so we know how many people to expect.
Chill on the Hill Welcomed More Visitors Than Ever
This year’s Chill on the Hill was our most popular yet, with more than 1,000 people joining us, despite a bit of wind to keep us on our toes!
Produced in partnership with Ham Hill Country Park, this family-friendly event celebrates the rich diversity of nature, food, creativity and community. It has now become a favourite annual fixture.
The day featured hands-on workshops such as circus skills, crafts and leaf-printing, plus live performances from Somerset’s own Farm Yard Circus, Tor Theatre and The Sounds of the Streets. A big part of the festival is championing local food producers, and we were thrilled to welcome Bagnell Farm, Laura’s Kitchen, Utazo Spirits and The Firehouse Pizza Rocket. Visitors also enjoyed stands from Imagine, Learn, Create; ARK at Egwood; and the Sewing Seeds of Gladness stitching project.
Great Mead: A Green Space in the Heart of Chard is Growing!
Great Mead is an exciting new pilot project transforming 6.4 acres of unused central Chard land into a welcoming space for nature, creativity and community activity.
Throughout the summer and autumn, the project hosted a lively programme of workshops and events. Produced in collaboration with Holyrood Academy and Chard Town Council, the activity has helped us test ideas and imagine what Great Mead could become. Activities have included Act to Adapt climate workshops with Somerset Wildlife Trust, a Family Feast picnic as part of the Sustainable Food Somerset Food Trail, visual arts sessions, willow weaving, botanical sun printing, and outdoor early years fun led by Chard Community Hub.
We were especially pleased to work with talented local artists such as Philippa Glastonvill, Sophie Willoughby, Warren Bennett and Vera Courinha Marques.
All of this energy came together at the Great Mead Mini Fest in September. Despite the weather, families and community members enjoyed creative workshops, delicious food prepared by local groups, and a performance of The Time Machine by Tor Theatre.
In October, a special Sharing Event at Holyrood Academy brought more than 40 people together to celebrate progress and discuss next steps for the project.
Great Mead is one of ten European projects selected for support through the EU’s Connect New European Bauhaus programme, with additional funding from Somerset Community Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund.
National Young Playwriting Award
We’re pleased to pass on details of the Bill Cashmore Award, presented by Young Lyric. They’re especially keen to encourage applications from emerging writers in the South West.
The award offers two writers aged 18–30 a paid opportunity to have their one-act plays professionally produced at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. The plays will be performed as a double bill by the Lyric’s SPRINGBOARD trainee actors in Autumn 2026.
Applications close 12pm, Tuesday 6 January. Full details, FAQs and submission information can be found on the Lyric website.
Next Newsletter
We occasionally share other events and opportunities, so if you have something you’d like included in our next update (covering February and March 2026), please send your information via this link by 16 January 2026.
With warmest seasonal wishes,
The Take Art Theatre and Cultivate Team