The Shepton Mallet Summer Series returns this July and August bringing access to events, activities, arts, crafts, and music for free.
Shepton Mallet is a vibrant market town steeped in history, with a thriving industrial past, but also enjoys a growing reputation for artisan retailers, imaginative cafés, and inspired community projects. Here, you will find lots of neighbourhood groups, organisations and individuals who are buzzing with creativity and energy to provide theatre, arts, entertainment, music, crafts, activities, self-reflection, and leisure. There’s always plenty to do in and around the town, and during the Summer Series we’ve showcased just some of events and activities on offer.
The Summer Series grew out of the desire for Shepton Mallet Town Council to stimulate the economic, cultural, and heritage economy of the town after the privations of lock-down, caused by the pandemic. The focus is to celebrate the diversity of talents within the community and to promote and provide events and activities that are free to all.
Event: Shepton Mallet Market
Dates: Every Friday
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: Market Place
Details: Every Friday, Market Place, 9am-3pm. Visit Shepton’s historic market, which dates back to 1318, for a wide range of fresh local produce & crafts. For further info visit the market’s Facebook page @sheptonfridaymarket
Event: Drum Together
Dates: Every Wednesday in July and August
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Shepton Mallet Bowls & Tennis Club
Details: An African drumming group workshop for complete beginners or enthusiastic percussionists. Drums provided. No experience necessary. Beat the rhythm of summer at Shepton Mallet Bowls & Tennis Club, every Wednesday from July through to August, 10am-1pm! To reserve a place email: sheptonmalletbtc@gmail.com or just turn up!
Event: Hula Hoop workshop
Dates: Saturday 9th July, Saturday 23rd July, Saturday 13th September, & Saturday 3rd September
Time: 2pm-3.30pm
Location: Collett Park
Details: All ability, all age Hula Hooping from Heavenly Hooping with Angela, in Collett Park on Saturday 9th & Saturday 23rd July, and Saturday 13th & Saturday 3rd September, 2pm-3.30pm. Improve your health and wellbeing. Learn new skills that will impress and have fun. Hoops provided. Please wear comfortable lightweight clothing that’s not too baggy and light footwear. Bring water and sunscreen! Children under 12 must be accompanied. Please email angelabolton@gmx.co.uk to book a space.
Event: All The World’s Our Playground
Date: Saturday 16th July
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: St. Paul’s Junior School and venues across Shepton Mallet
Details: Family festival, with walkabout theatre, dancing in the streets and a range of amazing theatre acts! Saturday 16th July, 10am-4pm. Taking place in St. Paul’s Junior School and venues across Shepton Mallet. All events FREE but some may need booking to reserve places. Visit: www.makethesunshine.co.uk for info.
Event: Cakes & Cultures
Date: Wednesday 20th July
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Sweet 11 Café, 16 High St,
Sharing our love of cakes across cultures! Come and draw, taste, chat, and share cultural experiences in Sweet 11 Café, on Wednesday 20th July, 10am-12noon. Hosted by Christina and Elena, and friends.
Event: Stories with art-making
Date: Thursday 21st July
Time: 3.30pm-5pm
Location: Shepton Mallet Church
Details: A workshop about stories, with art-making, led by author Polly Hall, with Fiona and Gill. Thursday 21st July, 3.30pm-5pm, in Shepton Mallet Church.
Event: Lemon Yoga
Dates: Saturday 6th, Saturday 13th, Saturday 20th & Saturday 27th August
Time: 10.30am-11.30am
Location: Collett Park
Details: Lemon Yoga brings zest and fun to every class! Meet us in Collett Park on Saturday 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th August, 10.30am-11.30am and build strength & flexibility in the body as well as learning how to relax both the mind & body. You don’t need to be flexible or strong to do yoga, you just need to show up! Yoga is for anybody, so come and join us in the beautiful Collet Park. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in, bring water and a yoga mat (if you have one). #getyourzestback Please email mylemonyoga@gmail.com to book a space.
Event: Drawing On Words!
Date: Tuesday 16th August
Time: 10am-12noon
Location: Collett Park
Details: A special workshop to use the power of words – inspired by the beauty of Collett Park – to create stories and literary artwork. Tuesday 16th August, 10am-12noon – bring your own picnic! Some of the work produced may form part of the final Gleaning installations and exhibition.
Event: The Gleaning
Date: Tuesday 16th August
Time: 10am-12noon
Location: Collett Park
Details: Drawing On! A story/art-making community workshop for all ages and abilities, involving various drawing techniques and featuring work made from gathered, recycled and found materials – Tuesday 16th August, 10am-12noon, in Collett Park. Some of the work produced may form part of the final Gleaning installations and exhibition.
Event: Community Art Installation Project
Date: Thursday 18th August
Time: 2pm-4pm
Location: Shepton Mallet Church
Details: Community project, on Thursday 18th August, 2pm-4pm, to work on the art installations – inside and outside of Shepton Mallet Church – some of which have been created over the Summer Series.
Event: Kray-z-Legz-Summer Heat
Date: Saturday 20th August
Time: 4pm-10pm
Location: Market Cross
Details: This summer Rap artist / CEO of Kidmenace Studios, Kray-z Legz will be bringing another open air music event to the Market Cross, on Saturday 20th August, 4pm-10pm. The event will consist of a live performance from Kray-z Legz supported by other local musicians, showcasing the amazing talent from the surrounding areas. There will also be stalls offering face painting, local produce & much more to support local businesses. We will also be running kids games such as musical statues, with prizes for the mini ravers to enjoy. This is a free event open to everyone, so grab your best dancing shoes and prepare for a great day & evening of music and family fun!
Event: The Gleaning
Date: Tuesday 23rd August
Time: 10am-12noon
Location: Market Cross
Details: Mono-printing Workshop. Tues 23rd August, 10am-12noon, in the Market Cross. Using immersive, textiles installations to explore and celebrate diversity. A community workshop for all ages and abilities, featuring work made from gathered, recycled and found materials. Some of the work produced will form part of the final Gleaning installations and exhibition.
Event: The Bullzini Family Circus Open Air Circus Show
Date: Sunday 4th September
Time: 3pm
Location: Collett Park
Details: Roll Up! Roll Up! Sunday 4th September @3pm, in Collett Park, The Bullzini Family Circus present their fabulous Open Air Circus Show, which features feats of devilishly daring dexterity on a loose rope, juggling, and magic all served up with more than a dash of humour! All welcome!
Event: Heritage Trail
Date: Every day!
Time: To suit you
Location: Various, around Shepton Mallet
Details: Looking for something different and interesting to do? Try our free, interactive Shepton Mallet Heritage Trails App, which gives you a choice of immersive experiences centred around the town’s rich cultural, social and economic heritage. There are nine trails of varying lengths, from the Family Trail (1.13km/0.7 miles) to the Cloth & Train Trail (14km/9 miles) that last anything between one to five hours: https://sheptonmallet-tc.gov.uk/walks-in-history/
