At the heart of the event is a visit by the seven-foot-tall Somerset Dragon, created by students at Taunton College as part of a landmark collaboration with University Centre Somerset College and Passion for Somerset CIC. The iconic dragon has been travelling through towns and villages across the county in the lead up to Somerset Day weekend and is designed to capture public imagination while celebrating Somerset’s identity, folklore, landscape, and creativity.
The dragon will visit Clarks Village shopping outlet on the afternoon of Saturday, May 9th, with guests treated to an interactive storytelling performance featuring the Tail of the Somerset Dragon – a children’s storybook by Serin Brown that brings to life the county’s heritage, creativity and community. Guests will also be invited to help choose a name for the dragon.
Sam Cullen, Deputy Director at Shoemakers Museum, said: “Shoemakers Museum is Somerset’s newest visitor attraction, celebrating 200 years of Somerset’s history and the fantastic stories of the people who brought Street to the world. It’s going to be so much fun to welcome the Somerset Dragon to Street with dance, storytelling, inflatables and animatronics, and to add our own prehistoric past to the mix with our remarkable ichthyosaur collection. It’s our first summer as an open museum, and we’re looking forward to welcoming families to enjoy a fun day out this Somerset Day.”
Mike Jones, Centre Director of Clarks Village, commented: “We’re enormously proud of our heritage here at Clarks Village so Somerset Day gives us the opportunity to come together with the community to celebrate the region. We look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy this free event and to see the Somerset Dragon on its visit.”
Jenny Service, Clerk to Street Parish Council, said: “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Shoemakers Museum and Clarks Village to deliver a wonderful event for the community in celebration of Somerset Day. This special occasion is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together, celebrate our local heritage and showcase the unique spirit of Street and Somerset. We are looking forward to welcoming Passion for Somerset and the Dragon to Street, which we are sure will add to the excitement and enjoyment of the day for residents and visitors.”
Nigel Muers-Raby, Passion for Somerset CEO, added: “Somerset Day is about belonging, pride and shared identity. The Journey of the Somerset Dragon is a powerful way to bring communities together, spark imagination and celebrate everything that makes Somerset special – from our folklore and landscapes to our people and creativity.”
Somerset Day Activities:
The Somerset Day activities are free to attend and will be held across the Shoemakers Museum grounds and Clarks Village. A Somerset-themed trail will run from Saturday 9th May until Sunday 17th May at Shoemakers Museum where guests can make their own articulated dragon. Guests wishing to visit Shoemakers Museum will need tickets, which are only £10 for the year when purchased online.
For more details on what’s on at Clarks Village and to join Clarks Village’s free members’ reward programme PLUS+, visit www.clarksvillage.co.uk. For information about Shoemakers Museum, visit www.shoemakersmuseum.org.uk.