Chairman of Somerset County Council
and Member for the Dunster Division
Mrs Christine Lawrence
County Hall
Taunton
Somerset TA1 4DY
Tel: 01823 355004 (w)
01643 707889 (h)
PA: 01823 356859
Email:
[email protected]
PA: [email protected]
4 January 2017
To:
All Infant, First, Junior, Primary and Middle School Headteachers/Heads of School
Dear Headteacher
Re: Somerset Day Celebrations 2017 – An annual celebration of the benefits of Somerset
as a place to live, work and play
We hope that you all enjoyed a peaceful and restful Christmas and that you are ready for the year
ahead.
Following the presentation at last Autumn Term’s Headteacher Briefings, by the Chairman of the
County Council, Councillor Christine Lawrence and Nigel Muers-Raby, Chairman of Passion for
Somerset, we are delighted to be writing to you to provide more details of Somerset Day 2017 and
to gain your commitment for the various exciting events planned to support this unique celebration
of all that is great about living in Somerset.
What is Passion for Somerset?



Passion for Somerset is an organisation that promotes the benefits of Somerset as a place to
live, work and play.
Passion for Somerset works with partners to bring together communities, organisations and
individual within the original county of Somerset.
Passion for Somerset is the guardian and promoter of Somerset Day.
What is Somerset Day?
Somerset Day takes place on the 11th May annually and marks Alfred the Great’s call to arms and
the gathering of ‘all the people of Somerset’ to march against the invading Viking army and is now
an annual opportunity to celebrate all that is great about Somerset and its residents and
communities. (Whilst it is appreciated that 11 May 2017 is the Thursday of Key Stage 2 SATs
week, it is hoped that any preparation for the events will have been completed before these
assessments begin).
The Plans for 11th May 2017 – Celebrating Somerset Talent:

A ‘Design a Banner’ competition, open to all primary school children in Somerset. Banners
to reflect aspects of all that is good about life in Somerset. Designs to be completed in portrait
format on A4 paper in bold colours. Winning designs will be professionally converted into fullsize screen-printed banners and hung in and around the centre of Taunton, the county town of
Somerset and then, hopefully, toured around the region.
Home: The Old Custom House, 33 Quay Street, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5UL
Telephone: 01643 707889
There will be three age-groups:
1. Early Years/Foundation
2. Key Stage 1
3. Key Stage 2
All entries should be submitted by your school to:
The Chairman’s Office, Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY
Entries must arrive by Friday 24 March 2017. All entries must be on A4 paper (portrait format)
and should be clearly marked on the reverse with the young person’s name, age and the
school attended.
A panel of judges, including an artist, will shortlist the entries and, in addition to certificates
presented to the finalists by the County Council, Pardoes Solicitors have generously sponsored
the prizes for the finalists in each category:
1st prize
2nd prize
3rd prize
£20.00 Amazon voucher
£15.00 Amazon voucher
£10.00 Amazon voucher

An Awards Ceremony for the winning banner competition entries at Temple Methodist Hall on
Somerset Day.

A Festival of Somerset’s musical and artistic talent on the same evening, to include the
presentation of the Chairman’s award to Somerset Olympic and Paralympic medallists. This
will be co-ordinated by Somerset Music and, if you have groups of children or individuals who
could perform an instrumental item, a dance or a choral piece, we would love to hear from you.
We want to inspire pride in our County and celebrate the remarkable talent we have in Somerset.
We want to nurture creativity in our primary school children and give their talent wider recognition
and we sincerely hope that you, our Headteachers, will encourage your staff and children to
become actively involved.
Please complete and return the attached form by Tuesday 31 January 2017 indicating a
provisional commitment to supporting Somerset Day and return to County Hall.
Thank you for reading this information and, in anticipation, for your support for Somerset day
2017. We know that you will do all you can to make it an event to remember.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Christine Lawrence
Chairman of Somerset County Council
David Theobald
Senior Primary Adviser
Registration Form
IMPORTANT: PLEASE ENSURE YOU RETURN BY 31 JANUARY 2017
Somerset Day
An annual celebration of the benefits of Somerset as a place to live, work and play
Name of school:
 Design a Banner Competition
We are intending to submit entries for the competition in the following age-groups
(please tick where appropriate)
Early Years/Foundation Stage
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
 Festival of Music and Art at Temple Methodist Hall, Taunton
We are hoping to provide the following items for inclusion in the celebration
(please give details, eg choir, ensemble, including numbers of children, soloists,
artwork etc). Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Please note: Spaces for this part of the celebrations are limited therefore
early registration is recommended to avoid disappointment.
1.
2.
3.
Signed:
(Headteacher/Head of School)
Print Name:
Date:
Please return to:
The Chairman’s Office
Somerset County Council
County Hall
Taunton
TA1 4DY
Or by email to: [email protected]
IMPORTANT PLEASE ENSURE YOU RETURN BY 31 JANUARY 2017