Welcome to Watchet Summertime.
Welcome to Watchet Summertime 2024
Once again Watchet Summertime returns with a week of events for all the family.
You can find the programme of events below, please do come and join us as we celebrate Summertime in Watchet!
The Watchet Summertime team x
Monday 19th August - Saturday 24th August
- RAFFLE big cash prize of £500!
- Prizes for lego competition.
- Prizes for poetry, creative writing and fancy dress on the children’s craft day.
- Best dressed for Abba on the Cinema evening.
Best dressed for Queen Tribute evening.
Watchet Summertime programme of events...
Please check back nearer the time for the programme for Watchet Summertime 2024...
Monday 19th August
LEGO Day
10am-4pm: Market Stalls
The Esplanade.
11:45am: Grand Opening
David Milton and Loretta Whetlor.
The Esplanade.
From 12pm: Music Watchet Community Choir
The Esplanade.
Tuesday 20th August
Craft Day
10am-4pm: Market Stalls
The Esplanade.
10am-4pm: Craft Activities
For children of all ages and abilities
The Esplanade.
Wednesday 21st August
Market Day
10am-4pm: Market Stalls
Watchet Town Council Markets
The Esplanade.
From 7pm: Showtime Special
Singing, music and sketches
St Decumans Church
Thursday 22nd August
Charity Stalls and Music Day
10am-4pm: Charity Stalls
TheEsplanade.
10am-4pm: Craft Activities Stall
The Esplanade.
10:30am-3:15pm: Don’s Showtime
Five acts played by local muscians
The Esplanade
7:30pm: Entertainment
Obby Oss performance.
The Esplanade.
After 8pm: Outdoor Cinema
Watchet Community Cinema presents an ABBA musical Mamma Mia! – sing along version (PG13). Bring chairs and warm clothes. Fancy dress welcome – prizes at the end. The Marina Cafe will stay open late to sell tea and coffee.
The Esplanade.
Friday 23rd August
Town Council Funday
10am-4pm: Market Stalls The Esplanade.
10am-12pm: Music
Local singer Tabitha
The Esplanade.
12pm: Funday Entertainment
Details to follow
The Esplanade.
Else where in town:
From7:30pm: Silent Disco
Eliot’sTouch event organised by
Watchet Town Football Club.
7pm-8pm: Music
Watchet Town Brass Band
TheEsplanade.
8.45pm: Night of Lights
Assemble on East Pier for
Lantern parade. Dress yourself in lights, bring the lantern you crafted or buy one from the HQ tent during the week.Children must be accompanied. Please use battery lights only, no naked flames.
Saturday 24th August
Grand Finale Day
Daytime:
10am-4pm: Market Stalls
TheEsplanade.
10am-4pm: Craft Activities Stall
The Esplanade.
From12pm: Entertainment
Punch and Judy, SeaShanties, Community Choir
TheEsplanade.
Evening:
From 7pm: Food
Hog Roast by Somerset Farm House
TheEsplanade.
6pm-8pm: Music – Big Stage
Audio Roulette
The Esplanade Stage.
8:15pm: Grand Raffle Draw
Watchet Summertime Raffle
The Esplanade.
8:45-9:45pm: Music – Big Stage
Forever Queen – part I The Esplanade Stage.
Elsewhere in town:
6pm-9pm: Music and Food
The Bavarian Boyz Oompah Show and BBQ organised by
Watchet Town Football Club.
10pm:FIREWORKS!
Join us for a Grand Finale of spectacular fireworks leading to the final music performance TheEsplanade.
10:15-11pm: Music – Big Stage
Forever Queen return to the stage to finish the evening
The Esplanade Stage.
Event closes at 11pm.
Additional event information.
Lego Competition
Monday 19th August
Build your creation within the time slot ready for judging at the end of the day. You could win yourself a prize!
The competition takes place on the Esplanade and past events have shown it to be very popular so don’t delay in booking your slot if you would like to take part.
Sponsored by Watchet Harbour Book Shop.
Night Of Lights
Friday 23rd August
A spectacle of light for all to enjoy.
Assemble at East Pier for a lantern parade at 8.45pm.
Dress yourself in lights and/or bring your own decorated lantern, be part of our Night Of Lights. Please note, battery lights only, no naked flames.
Street Fair stalls and other markets
All week!
We have various stalls from our hugely popular Watchet Street Fair that come to join us throughout the week. There is a wide selection of stalls with plenty of local and artisanal goods.
Where to eat in Watchet Somerset...
Chives Cafe
East Quay Kitchen
Hellikers Tea Rooms
The London Inn (01984 631880)
The Cat’s Whisker
www.facebook.com/catswhiskerwatchet
Sams Deli
www.facebook.com/samsdeliwatchet
The Marina Cafe
www.watchetmarina.com/cafe-shop
Pizza Time
The Bell Inn
The Corner House Tea Rooms and Serendipity www.facebook.com/ SerendipityCreativeCafe
Crispy’s Chippie
The Star Inn
The West Somerset Inn
www.facebook.com/ thewestsomersethotelwatchet
Watchet Fish and Chips
A cash point can be found at the Co-Op in Swain Street
Thank you to our sponsors!
Watchet Summertime is extremely grateful for the support it has received from many of the local businesses including the following.
Thank you for for helping us make it happen!
Many thanks to Roy and Helen from The Esplanade Club for contributions toward the bands. Also many thanks to Warren Bay Holiday Village/ Doniford Farm Park for contribution towards the fireworks.
Watchet Marina Café
Chives Café
Wilkies
Little Lighthouse
Albert’s Ardware
New Horizons
Cotton Street
Lynda Cotton Gallery
Sensational Sizzlers
Clara Mann Hair Design
Beedell Coram Collectables
Richard Little
Adorium Antiques
Maurice Whiteley Accountants
West Somerset Hotel
Baldie’s Barbers
The Bell Inn
Pebbles Tavern
The Star Inn
Alex Reynard
The London Inn
Perfectly Lovely Interiors
The Hair & Beauty Lounge
Serendipity Café
Mariners Chippie
Watchet Glass and Glazing
Chamberlain & Son, Watchet MOT Centre
Corner Collection
We would also like to thank Watchet Town Council and Watchet Coastal Communities Team.
The ‘thank yous’ wouldn’t be complete without a thank you to Terry Walker for his photographs.
How to find Watchet
The following is a letter was received by the Summertime team after Summertime 2022 and we thought we would share it with you. It gives you an idea of some of the things to do during Watchet Summertime and it’s what Watchet Summertime is all about…
To the Watchet Summertime Committee Members.
Dear All,
I am writing to thank you for all the efforts you must have put in to produce the amazing Summertime week. My grandsons, aged 6 and 10, were staying with me and enjoyed the events everyday:
The craft marquees on the Monday were superb. So many diverse crafts offered from people so generous with their time, resources and expertise. One made a beautiful dreamcatcher, while the other painted a rock hedgehog; both items have pride of place in their bedrooms. They took part in the Lego competitions both days, found the ‘rats’ in the Boat Museum and played table football on the Esplanade. And still could have done more…
One of the boys stayed on by himself for the rest of the week and had the time of his life. He spent his pocket money in the Market. He was allowed to stay up late for the Outdoor Cinema and enjoy being part of such a lively, friendly atmosphere.
Friday was the highlight for him: While I was working elsewhere on the Esplanade, he was able to watch the performances of the excellent Nutty Noah (Glad he kept the ‘Pants on the Head’ song in.) and the captivating Pirate storyteller. For the first time in his life, in the safe space of the Esplanade, a little boy was given the freedom and confidence to be an
audience member and participant and to buy his own ice cream, without an adult shepherding his every move. He had a very special afternoon. (I was keeping an eye on him from afar!) We bought our lanterns and spent an afternoon thoughtfully decorating them and reflecting on those we miss in the family before the thrill of walking in the dark dressed like early Christmas trees.
And all of this is totally free, astounding in this day and age as well as a relief to parents and grandparents in the current climate. As a family we are grateful for everything provided and did try to buy a lot of raffle tickets in support.
The highlight, of course, was the spectacular firework display. How does this little town do it?
The answer is simple: because of kind, committed people like you. Thank you.
Yours faithfully
A L