Here is another CST activities page celebrating the beauty of the South West of England. 'Somerset Day' is on 11th May and 'Devon Day' is on 4th June, which is also 'St Petroc's Day'. (There is a separate page on Cornwall here - https://www.simondementia.co.uk/single-post/celebrating-cornwall-on-saint-piran-s-day-5th-march )
You could begin the session by asking who has stayed in Somerset or Devon for a holiday?
Where did they stay? What places did they visit?
What are the best things about Somerset and Devon?
Answers could include:
The lovely people
The sea & beaches
The beautiful villages & towns
The slightly warmer climate & beautiful gardens
The fish and chips or cream teas
The cider & cheese
Or something else ...
Round 1. Learn The West Country Lingo
Ask members to guess what these words and phrases mean ...
1. Proper job
Meaning: Used to describe a job well done. It's also the name of St Austell Brewery's award-winning beer
2. Dreckly
Meaning: Soon, or an unspecified time in the future.
3. Ee
Meaning: Can be used instead of him or it.
4. Teddies
Meaning: Potatoes.
5. Alrite me luvver (or "boody")
Meaning: A greeting similar to "alright mate" or "hello love" (or "beauty").
6. Maid
Meaning: Used to reference a female.
7. Ee's a boot
Meaning: Can be used to call someone beautiful, or otherwise used to describe an impressive animal.
8. Ark at ee
Meaning: Listen to him.
9. Backalong
Meaning: In the past.
10. Me 'ansum
Meaning: Term of endearment for a friend family member.
11. Right on
Meaning: Used to confirm agreement with something.
12. Ere
Meaning: Starts off a sentence that contains gossip.
13. Yer tiz
Meaning: Here it is.
14. Where you to?
Meaning: Where are you?
15. Up north
Meaning: Anywhere beyond the border of Somerset.
16. Grockle
Meaning: A holidaymaker or someone out of town.
17. Janner
Meaning: Person from Plymouth, particularly Plymouth.
18. Gurt Lush
Meaning: Really good.
19. Reet bey
Meaning: "Alright boy", greeting to a male.
Round 2. Somerset Tourist Attractions
Ask members to identify these tourist attractions ...
Take time to allow for reminiscing and story telling.
What is the name of this suspension bridge & who built it?
Name these caves & the gorge where you would find them?
Name this steamship & where would you find it (it was also designed by the aforementioned chap)?
Name this hill & which legendary king is it associated with?
Name these baths & why do you think you can't bathe there any more (a. the water is too hot, b. the water contains deadly bacteria or c. the water is too acidic)?
Name these ancient rocks (admittedly they are just out of Somerset) & speculate on how the builders got the blue stones from north Wales there?
Name this cathedral city & why are the swans there famous?
Name the canal, which runs from Bath to Reading & have a guess at how long it takes to climb the 29 'Caen Locks' (a. 1-2 hours, b. 5-6 hours, c. 9-10 hours)?
Name the beach and pier & ask members who has ridden on a beach donkey?
Name this city zoo & the animals?
Who is this a statue of & why did protestors throw it in Bristol dock in 2020?
Where is this construction site and what is being built here?
Round 3. One Off Things To Do
Name this festival, which takes place every August & has anyone ever taken a ride in one (or would like to)?
Name this music festival, which takes place most summers & who arranges it?
Name this spring tide wave, which reaches its maximum height near Gloucester & has anyone been to see it (or ride it)?
Name this paddle steamer, which visits the Bristol Channel most summers & what is the name of its sister ship?
Round 4. Devon Tourist Attractions
Ask members to identify these tourist attractions ...
Take time to allow for reminiscing and story telling.
What do people think of Damien Hirst's 'Verity' statue? Where is it? What is the name of this steepest village in Devon?
What type of railway is this & what two villages does it connect?
What is the name of this island & what two Agatha Christie thrillers were set there?
In which seaside town would you find 'Bayard's Quay' & what classic shipping TV drama series was partly filmed here? Where would you find this lighthouse & which Elizabethan sea captain played bowls here in 1588 when news of the first sightings of the Spanish Armada was reported?
What is the name of this moor & which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle thriller was set here?
What is the name of this seaside town & what is this stretch of coastline called?
Where would you find this 'Butlin's' holiday camp & where did another one used to be just across the water?
Which two seaside towns does this steam railway connect?
Which ship set sail from these (or nearby) steps in Plymouth Barbican in 1620 & where was it headed?
After Bristol and Plymouth, this city is the third largest in the south west?
Round 5. Famous People
Name this Hollywood actor (born in Bristol) & what was his birth name?
Name this TV zookeeper & what was the name of his show?
Name this 'Green Cross Code' chap & what villain did he later play in a sci-fi movie?
Name this TV sitcom, based in Torquay & names the characters?
Here is a sketch from it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmDZl7w3lD4
Name this TV detective & the actor?
Name this West Country author & what did she specialise in?
Name this TV drama series & the two characters?
Name this Olympian & what is his hobby?
Name this rock star & his band?
Name this politician who serves the constituency of North East Somerset & what is his political party?
Name the 'rabbit' & which TV station was he associated with?
Name the TV presenter & his puppet?
Name the artist (whose identity remains unknown) & comment on his style?
Round 6. Food & Drink
Name this dish, which was created to celebrate a Duke's victory at the 'Battle Of Trafalgar' in 1815?
Name this well known cheese made in Somerset & how do you like to eat it?
Name this drink & how many apples does it take to make a gallon of it (a. 16-22, b. 26-32 or c. 36-42)?
Name this open vegetable pie & what are the ingredients that make it?
Name the chocolate making company, which launched in Bristol in 1761 & what flavours 'Turkish Delight'?
What is the old nickname given to gin & which berry flavours it?
Is cream first and jam on top a 'Devon' or 'Cornish Cream Tea'?
List as many flavours of fudge as you can?
Round 7. Ways In & Out
Name the first bridge to connect England to Wales & what is the name of the second bridge?
Name the tunnel that connects England to Wales & how many gallons of natural spring water (not sea water) are pumped out of it every day (a. 1 million, b. 5 million or c. 10 million)?
Name the airport & which supersonic aircraft (10 UK ones) were built nearby?
Name the river this bridge crosses & what county does it connect Devon to?
Ad break - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QpfQARH2Js
Which children's author wrote the 'Famous Five' books, what was the name of the dog & what did they like to drink?
Round 8. Music
'Ernie', Benny Hill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e1xvyTdBZI
What was the name of his horse?
'Combine Harvester', The Wurzels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb63PdPweDc
Name some British grain crops?
'I Am A Cider Drinker', The Wurzels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzGkB6YO9Yc
What is rough cider called?
'Mr Blobby', Destiny Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNkgDJpcuwU
Which TV presenter was Mr Blobby associated with?
And finally, here is a singalong ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5zny7ZlbME
English Country Garden
How many kinds of sweet flowers grow
In an English country garden?
We'll tell you now of some that we know
Those we miss you'll surely pardon
Daffodils, heart's ease and phlox
Meadowsweet and lady smocks
Gentian, lupine and tall hollihocks
Roses, foxgloves, snowdrops, blue forget-me-nots
In an English country garden
How many insects come here and go
In an English country garden?
We'll tell you now of some that we know
Those we miss you'll surely pardon
Fireflies, moths, gnats and bees
Spiders climbing in the trees
Butterflies drift in the gentle breeze
There are snakes, ants that sting
And other creeping things
In an English country garden
How many songbirds fly to and fro
In an English country garden?
We'll tell you now of some that we know
Those we miss you'll surely pardon
Bobolink, cuckoo and quail
Tanager and cardinal
Bluebird, lark, thrush and nightingale
There is joy in the spring
When the birds begin to sing
In an English country garden
Round 9. Practical Activity
Ask members to plan a walk along a section of the 'South West Coast Path'.
There is an interactive map and other resources here - https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk
First, plan a journey. How far do you want to walk?
Where will you start and finish (assuming lifts are sorted)?
What will you need to pack in your rucksack?
What are you going to wear?
What are you taking for a lunch break?
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What is the name of this suspension bridge & who built it? CLIFTON / ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL
Name these caves & the gorge where you would find them? CHEDDAR GORGE
Name this steamship & where would you find it (it was also designed by the aforementioned chap)? SS GREAT BRITAIN / BRISTOL DOCK
Name this hill & which legendary king is it associated with? GLASTONBURY / KING ARTHUR
Name these baths & why do you think you can't bathe there any more (a. the water is too hot, b. the water contains deadly bacteria or c. the water is too acidic)? BATH SPA / B. A SWIMMER CAUGHT MENINGITIS FROM THE WATER IN 1978
Name these ancient rocks (admittedly they are just out of Somerset) & speculate on how the builders got the blue stones from north Wales there? STONEHENGE / MAYBE ROLLING ON LOGS AND HOISTING ONTO BARGES
Name this cathedral city & why are the swans there famous? WELLS / THEY RING A BELL TO BE FED
Name the canal, which runs from Bath to Reading & have a guess at how long it takes to climb the 29 'Caen Locks' (a. 1-2 hours, b. 5-6 hours, c. 9-10 hours)? KENNETT & AVON CANAL / 5-6 HOURS
Name the beach and pier & ask members who has ridden on a beach donkey? WESTON SUPER MARE
Name this city zoo & the animals? BRISTOL ZOO / GORILLAS
Who is this a statue of & why did protestors throw it in Bristol dock in 2020? EDWARD COLSTON / HIS ASSOCIATION WITH SLAVERY
Where is this construction site and what is being built here? HINKLEY POINT / A NEW NUCLEAR POWER STATION
Name this festival, which takes place every August & has anyone ever taken a ride in one (or would like to)? BRISTOL BALLON FIESTA
GLASONBURY / MICHAEL EAVIS
Name this spring tide wave, which reaches its maximum height near Gloucester & has anyone been to see it (or ride it)? SEVERN BORE
Name this paddle steamer, which visits the Bristol Channel most summers & what is the name of its sister ship? WAVERELY & BALMORAL
What do people think of Damien Hirst's 'Verity' statue? Where is it? ILFRACOMBE
What is the name of this steepest village in Devon? CLOVELLY
What type of railway is this & what two villages does it connect? FUNICULAR / LYTON & LYNMOUTH
What is the name of this island & what two Agatha Christie thrillers were set there? BURGH ISLAND / 'AND THEN THERE WERE NONE' & 'EVIL UNDER THE SUN'
In which seaside town would you find 'Baynard's Quay' & what classic shipping TV drama series was partly filmed here? DARTMOUTH / 'THE ONEDIN LINE'
Where would you find this lighthouse & which Elizabethan sea captain played bowls here in 1588 when news of the first sightings of the Spanish Armada was reported? PLYMOUTH HOE / SIR FRANCIS DRAKE
What is the name of this moor & which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle thriller was set here? DARTMOOR / 'HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES'
What is the name of this seaside town & what is this stretch of coastline called? TORQUAY / 'ENGLISH RIVIERA'
Where would you find this 'Butlin's' holiday camp & where did another one used to be just across the water? MINEHEAD / BARRY ISLAND
Which two seaside towns does this steam railway connect? DARTMOUTH & PAIGNTON
Which ship set sail from these steps in Plymouth Barbican in 1620 & where was it headed? 'MAYFLOWER' / CAPE COD, MASACHUSSETTS (102 PILGRIMS & 30 CREW WERE ON BOARD)
After Bristol and Plymouth, this city is the third largest in the south west? EXETER
Name this Hollywood actor (born in Bristol) & what was his birth name? CARY GRANT / ARCHIBALD LEACH
Name this TV zookeeper & what was the name of his show? JOHNNY MORRIS / 'ANIMAL MAGIC'
Name this 'Green Cross Code' chap & what villain did he later play in a sci-fi movie? DAVE PROWSE / DARTH VADAR
Name this TV sitcom, based in Torquay & names the characters? 'FAWLTY TOWERS' / BASIL FAWLTY (JOHN CLEESE), SYBIL FAWLTY (PRUNELLA SCALES), MANUEL (ANDREW SACHS) (HE CAME FROM BARCELONA) & POLLY (CONNIE BOOTH)
Name this TV detective & the actor? EDDIE SHOESTRING / TREVOR EVE
Name this West Country author & what did she specialise in? PAM AYRES / POETRY
Name this TV drama series & the two characters? 'CASUALTY' / CHARLIE & DUFFY
Name this Olympian & what is his hobby? TOM DALEY / KNITTING
Name this rock star & his band? CHRIS MARTIN / COLDPLAY
Name this politician who serves the constituency of North East Somerset & what is his political party? JACOB REES MOGG / CONSERVATIVE
Name the 'rabbit' & which TV station was he associated with? GUS HONEYBUN / 'WESTWARD'
Name the TV presenter & his puppet? PHILLIP SCHOFIELD / GORDON THE GOPHER
Name the artist (whose identity remains unknown) & comment on his style? BANKSY
Name this dish, which was created to celebrate a Duke's victory at the 'Battle Of Trafalgar' in 1815? BEEF WELLINGTON
Name this well known cheese made in Somerset & how do you like to eat it? CHEDDAR (CHEESE ON TOAST, PLOUGHMAN'S, CHEESE & PICKLE SANDWICH, CHEESE AND PINEAPPLE STICKS ETC)
Name this drink & how many apples does it take to make a gallon of it (a. 16-22, b. 26-32 or c. 36-42)? CIDER / 36-42
Name this open vegetable pie & what are the ingredients that make it? HOMITY PIE / POTATOES, ONIONS, LEEKS & THYME IN A PASTRY CASE WITH CHEESE BAKED ON TOP
Name the chocolate making company, which launched in Bristol in 1866 & what flavours 'Turkish Delight'? 'FRY'S' / ROSEWATER
What is the old nickname given to gin & which berry flavours it? "MOTHER'S RUIN" / JUNIPER
Is cream first and jam on top a 'Devon' or 'Cornish Cream Tea'? CREAM FIRST, JAM ON TOP
List as many flavours of fudge as you can? REGULAR VANILLA, CHOCOLATE, RUM & RAISIN, ORANGE, SALTED CARAMEL ETC
Name the first bridge to connect England to Wales & what is the name of the second bridge? SEVERN BRIDGE & PRINCE OF WALES BRIDGE
Name the tunnel that connects England to Wales & how many gallons of natural spring water (not sea water) are pumped out of it every day (a. 1 million, b. 5 million or c. 10 million)? SEVERN TUNNEL / C. 10 MILLION
Name the airport & which supersonic aircraft (10 UK ones) were built nearby? BRISTOL AIRPORT / CONCORDE
Name the river this bridge crosses & what county does it connect Devon to? SALTASH / CORNWALL
Which children's author wrote the 'Famous Five' books, what was the name of the dog & what did they like to drink? ENID BLYTON, TIMMY & GINGER BEER
'Ernie', Benny Hill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e1xvyTdBZI
What was the name of his horse? TRIGGER
'Combine Harvester', The Wurzels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb63PdPweDc
Name some British grain crops? WHEAT, BARLEY, RYE ETC
'I Am A Cider Drinker', The Wurzels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzGkB6YO9Yc
What is rough cider called? SCRUMPY
'Mr Blobby', Destiny Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNkgDJpcuwU
Which TV presenter was Mr Blobby associated with? NOEL EDMONDS
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