During the past few months three Trails of Discovery have been completed in the South-West Area, each created for a different audience.
The first is a Children's Trail in St Michael's Church, Porthilly in North Cornwall. This church, dating back to the 12th Century has many interesting elements which have been featured in the trail for children to find and answer questions, increasing their knowledge and interest in their local church and its history. (Click the link to view the trail.)
The second trail, in this same church, is a Memory Trail created for the benefit of people living with Dementia. The trail uses the various features within the church to evoke memories and prompt conversation to make an enjoyable visit in the company of others. (Click the link below to view the trail.)
Both these Trails were created by The Arts Society Mid Cornwall.
The third trail, created by The Arts Society Taunton, is an accompaniment to a journey on the old Great Western Railway branch line between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead in Somerset. The line is operated by the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust and the trail highlights the art, heritage, and culture to be found in places along the route.
In July, a group of members from the Arts Society Taunton enjoyed a day travelling on the route . The original date for this trip in June was unfortunately cancelled because Netflix was filming at various stations along the line (look out for The Seven Dials Mystery with Helena Bonham-Carter and Martin Freeman next year).
Once under way, there was the chance to visit Minehead at the end of the line, as well as Watchet on the return journey to view the harbour, museums and gallery, and the day ended with an excellent cream tea on the train. (Click to link below to view the Trail.)
http://www.theartssocietytaunton.org.uk/DocumentStore/The%20WSR%20AS%20trail.pdf