With just over 100 days to go before this year’s celebrations, the organisers of Somerset Day are hoping the County will be turned into a sea of Somerset flags and will be encouraging everyone to support the 2022 Somerset Day campaign ‘Fly the Flag for Somerset - Living our Heritage’.

With an abundance of organisations within our County celebrating fantastic heritage, there’s lots to celebrate - past, present and future.

This week the campaign kicked off with the support of Thatchers Cider and the Mendip Morris celebrating one of Somerset’s great traditions– the Wassail. “Renowned for being home to some of the best cider makers in the world, celebrating the Wassail tradition in Thatchers orchards in Sandford, was a great way to kick-start celebrations” says Nigel Muers-Raby, Founder of Somerset Day

Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker says, “Somerset is full of such amazing traditions, such as the Wassail Ceremony, which reminds people today of the county’s cider making heritage and how lucky we are to have such a wealth of apple orchards across the county. I am Somerset born and bred, my Great Grandfather was a farmer on the very same Myrtle Farm where we still make our cider today. I’m so proud of the heritage of our family that we’re now carrying on into our fifth generation, we can honestly say we are living our heritage.

“We’re looking forward to once again being part of this year’s Somerset Day celebrations, and joining with groups, organisations, businesses and individuals across the county in flying the flag for Somerset.”

After so many Somerset flags were flown in 2021, the Somerset Day team are keen to celebrate Somerset Day on May 11th by asking people to buy a flag and Fly the Flag for Somerset. In addition, from next month, everyone will be invited to take part in the Somerset Day 2022 Trail Challenge; an interactive map with details of physical destinations to help locals and visitors to explore the County in celebration of Somerset Day. Nominations for the trail will be open from 1st February until 18th March and the trail itself will be open from 2nd April until 11th May.

Somerset Day founder Nigel Muers-Raby explains, “What better way to evoke your passion for Somerset than to nominate and visit your favourite places and businesses. We want to see Somerset turned into a sea of flags so make sure you’re ready to celebrate Somerset Day and show your commitment to Somerset on May 11th by buying a flag or some bunting to fly. We will be encouraging those that take part in our trail to fly the flag at each location they visit in order to win some fantastic Somerset prizes”

There will be a series of different trails ranging from food and drink to landmarks, iconic buildings, attractions and events, so there will be something for everyone. Full details on how to take part and to buy Somerset Day merchandise can be found on the Somerset Day website www.somersetday.com.