How time flies when you're having fun.  We've had a wonderful summer here at Sparkhayes Farm camp site and want to thank all our wonderful campers for sharing their days with us, we've met so many interesting people and heard so many fascinating stories.  It's heart-warming to know that we have many loyal campers who return year after year; one such customer is George Giltrap, who has been coming to camp at Sparkhayes for 35 years no less!  He kindly sent us these great photos from his stay this year.  We'll look forward to seeing you again next summer George.  Thank you everyone - if you have photos from your stay at Sparkhayes and you're happy to share them, do send them to us at [email protected] :) 

Hello and goodness, have I experienced a time warp?!  We’re already half way through February half term..!  I’m not sure how that happened, though suspect it might have something to do with me being submerged in emulsion paint, masking tape and the heady satisfaction of getting the job done.  I have temporarily emerged, paint splattered, to wish you well and hope that you’re enjoying the start of Spring.  

There are all sorts of renovation works occurring here at Sparkhayes and regular visitors will notice (hopefully) some improvements to our facilities.  While we want to enhance what we offer, we still aim to provide traditional and some might say basic camping facilities, though our hot showers and various ‘extras’ continue to earn us brownie points in the wonderful reviews we receive.  

We are also planning improvements to the annual Duck Race, held here at Sparkhayes camp site, this year on Sunday 29 May.  As well as the usual hilarity (do I have to… the quacking good fun *groan*), the licensed bar and barbecue, this year we will also be offering the children donkey rides and a bouncy castle!  These latter ideas might help the parents among you to enjoy the bar and barbecue with a little more leisure.  There’s the added bonus of hopefully winning some money with your lucky duck!   Admission is free and proceeds go towards the fantastic Porlock Carnival (put that in your diary too, it’s on Saturday 3 September in 2016).

Returning to events that are closer at hand, Saturday 19 March will be a busy day in Porlock.  The keen horticulturalists among us will be up at dawn to put the finishing touches to our floral displays and deliver them to the village hall for the annual Porlock Vale Horticultural and Crafts Society Spring Show.  Then we can hop along to Porlock Visitor’s Centre where at 10am a group will head off to clean up the village and beach, equipped with bin bags and litter-pickers.  Finishing at 1pm, volunteers will at some point be aided with the welcome supply of coffee and cake.  

We have to be back at the village hall after that to witness the wonderful displays of Spring flowers and handicrafts, with prize-giving taking place between 4 and 4.30pm.  Having brought all our booty home, it will be time to collapse in front of the TV!  Entries for the Spring Show are open to all, not only locals, so check out the schedule to be found here and make sure you’re entries are in no later than Tuesday 15 March.  You’re equally welcome to join the volunteer group with our annual village clean-up, all help is most gratefully received.  

Right, where did I put that spirit level?!