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Not sure what to expect from an Exmoor Young Voices meeting? It might sound a bit formal, but we promise it’s not. Think less boring work meeting and more casual catch-up with purpose! We meet in the skittle alley at the Rest & Be Thankful, drinks in hand, with a good mix of friendly faces and flowing conversation. The meeting kicks off around 7:30pm Grab yourself a drink from the bar and head into the skittle alley. If you’re coming on your own, don’t worry...most people do, and we’ll make sure you feel welcome. We know life on Exmoor can be hectic, so if you're a little late because of work, childcare, or just the drive, that’s totally okay. Join when you can. Updates & open floor Will Lock, our Chair, will give a quick update on what we’ve been working on behind the scenes. After that, it’s over to you. We go around and do quick introductions (nothing scary) just so you’re not chatting to strangers. Your voice matters This is your space to share what life’s like for you on Exmoor. Whether it's housing, jobs, childcare, digital connection, or just finding your feet – we want to hear it. EYV is all about listening to young people and taking those messages to the people who can help make change happen. No pressure to speak Hate speaking in groups? You won’t be the only one...and we totally get it. Say as much or as little as you like. We’re a relaxed, supportive group and everyone’s ideas and experiences are respected. What happens next? If there’s something we can help with - whether it’s connecting you to someone who might have a solution or taking the issue forward on your behalf, we will. That’s what we’re here for! You might also find someone else in the group is going through the same thing, and you can support each other. Not just about self-build Although self build is a popular topic (and we’ve got members in the middle of their own builds), this isn’t just a ‘self-build’ group. We cover all aspects of rural life, and if there’s something on your mind, it’s welcome in the room. Stay for a chat (and music!) Once the meeting wraps up, feel free to stick around. The bar often has live music on, and it’s a great chance to wind down and meet others who care about making Exmoor better for its younger generation.
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It’s not every day you get invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace – and guess what? Exmoor Young Voices received two invitations! All thanks to winning The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
But wait…it gets better. His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Muhammed Saddiq, kindly invited EYV founder Leslie Silverlock as his guest with a plus one. So, the dream team was complete: Leslie (Founder & Adviser), Will (Chair), Meg (Coordinator), and Josh (Trustee and Pilot Self Builder) all headed off to the big smoke to experience a glorious day fit for royalty! Now, we’re usually all about single-track lanes and the slower countryside life, so the hustle and bustle of London could have been a shock to the system. Thankfully, Will navigated the busy city streets like a pro (maybe we should make him our official chauffeur). Josh, meanwhile, had the thrilling task of finding the key to our accommodation…hidden in a keysafe padlocked to a random railing. In semi-darkness. No pressure, right? But he did it without breaking a sweat. After a good night’s sleep (phew), we embraced the city with a morning stroll and a hearty breakfast. Then came the fun bit: getting our glad rags on! By 2pm, we were all dressed up and ready to head to the palace. On arrival, the atmosphere was just lovely. Everyone was buzzing with excitement but perfectly polite (very British). And the weather? Not a raindrop in sight. Pure garden-party perfection. The stars of the show were of course the Royal family themselves. The Prince and Princess of Wales made a grand appearance, accompanied by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Eugenie, and Zara Tindall. We lined up to catch a glimpse as they appeared on the Terrace, to the tune of the National Anthem. Speaking of tunes…the Military Bands were amazing. Particular highlights were the Star Wars music and a toe-tapping ABBA medley that had us all smiling. Food-wise, we were in heaven. Josh meticulously curated an Instagram-worthy plate of delicate treats and Meg declared Sandringham Apple Juice the best apple juice in the world (even though she’s not an apple juice fan.) Les kept disappearing off to get the best view of the Royals to flash his EYV badge. And Will? Well he became the official photographer for several guests who weren’t quite tall enough to see over the crowds and get a good photo of Prince William. When we weren’t lining up for the royals, savouring tiny sandwiches and exploring the stunning gardens (so many roses!) we were people watching. A highlight in itself, everyone was soaking it all in - the elegance, the outfits, the polite conversations. It was a real treat. As the party wound down, we lined up once more to watch the Royals make their exit, capturing some great photos, witnessing a heartwarming moment between the Prince, Princess and a guest, and soaking up the last of the magic. By the end of the day, our feet were definitely feeling it… especially Meg’s after braving heels all afternoon! But sore feet were a small price to pay for memories we’ll treasure forever. From the stunning gardens to the royal sightings, the music, the food, and the wonderful company, the day was truly unforgettable. What a beautiful way to mark receiving The King’s Award and to celebrate all of Exmoor Young Voices’ incredible achievements over the years. But our London trip wasn’t quite over yet! We followed it up with a visit to the Houses of Parliament the following day – more on that in the next blog. And now we’re back to work, planning our next EYV meeting. Will you be joining us? Make sure you’re signed up to our mailing list and following us on social media to stay in the know and be part of all the exciting things coming up. Wow what a month we’ve had here at Exmoor Young Voices! After being announced as a winner of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service back in November, the time finally arrived for our official presentation.
To mark the occasion in style, we headed to Dulverton Town Hall, filled the room with local dignitaries, long-time supporters and of course, our EYV members, and ensured this wasn’t your average presentation but a heartfelt celebration of all we have achieved over the last decade (and a bit!) A milestone moment for Exmoor’s future We knew this was a rare and special moment - not just to receive such an incredible honour, but to have so many important and supportive people in the room. It felt like the perfect opportunity to say, loud and clear, that young people are vital to Exmoor’s future. And unless we support them, champion them, and most importantly prioritise them, we risk losing them and the future of our communities. The day began with coffee, nibbles, and an hour of good old Exmoor-style networking. As is so often the case around here, everyone seemed to know someone, and the room was quickly buzzing with conversation and laughter. It set the tone perfectly: warm, welcoming, and full of heart. Then came the formal part of the day… the official presentation! His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Mohammed Saddiq, had travelled from Bath to present Exmoor Young Voices with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service - a commemorative crystal and a certificate signed by The King. It was a proud and humbling moment for all involved. Mr Saddiq spoke about the uniqueness of EYV: the only group of its kind across all of the UK’s national parks and protected landscape areas, and praised our wide-ranging efforts to listen and tackle the real issues facing young people on Exmoor, from housing and childcare to transport and digital connectivity. Our Chair, Will Lock, gave a heartfelt response, thanking the Exmoor National Park Authority for their foresight in helping to establish EYV more than 12 years ago, and recognising the vital support of local housing associations over the years. He also gave a special mention to Councillors Steven Pugsley and Frances Nicholson, whose advice and active involvement have been key to our progress. The people who helped shape EYV The event was brilliantly compered by EYV founder Leslie Silverlock, whose humour and light-hearted touches kept the 60 or so guests smiling throughout. Among them were High Sheriff Janet Montgomery, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant Ian Moncrieff, Baroness Ann Mallalieu and our local MP, Rachel Gilmour, not to mention many of our trustees, members, supporters and friends. There were also warm thanks for a number of individuals who’ve helped shape the EYV journey:
We also took a moment to sing Happy Birthday to little Delilah Camp – a surprise highlight of the day! Delilah’s parents, Sam Camp and Robyn Gummer, are long-standing EYV members, and it was Robyn who originally sparked the vital conversation about the need for better childcare provision on Exmoor after she had Delilah (now seven years old). A small celebration with big meaning – reminding us exactly why EYV exists. Will closed his speech with a heartfelt thank you to Les and Marion Silverlock (the original driving force behind EYV) for their tireless work over the past 12 years to ensure that young people in the Park don’t become, as he so memorably put it, “as rare as the Exmoor Pony.” Self Build in Action: Josh and Megan’s story As we said, this wasn’t your average presentation – we also wanted to give our audience a flavour of EYV’s work in action. So, cue the projector, a nervous Megan (not a fan of public speaking), and a charming, relaxed Josh (used to talking to a camera most days), as they took to the stage to share the story of EYV’s first-ever pilot self-build. Together, they presented an extensive photo and film show, walking us through the ups, downs, and baffling parts of building their own home on Exmoor. From navigating a lengthy planning process during the pandemic to battling the weather, juggling full-time work and family life, dealing with hidden costs, and tackling one barrier after another, Josh admitted the journey so far has been anything but straightforward. But, of course, it would all be worth it in the end for their forever family home (with its amazing Exmoor views). Josh also explained the innovative building system they’d chosen: Nudura ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) blocks, which are quick and easy to install and offer twice the usual level of insulation. As the build progressed and their knowledge grew, they made a couple of planning amendments to improve the design and reduce costs. One particular challenge was finding the right windows. Park planners were keen on traditional timber, but eventually allowed wood-effect uPVC for Josh and Megan’s self build, which the self-builders stated is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. They both spoke about the importance of community support, and not being afraid to ask for help. Megan and Josh praised Councillor Frances Nicholson for her role in working with Highways to find a solution to a costly road closure required to connect their water mains. They also thanked Emma Lower, CEO of Lendology, and Somerset Council for providing a flexible, low-interest self-build loan (and a grant), which was helping to finance their project. This financial support was crucial given the difficulty of securing a mortgage for a self-build with a Section 106 local tie. Megan explained that there are many ways to approach a self-build, from doing it all yourself and learning as you go, to bringing in professionals for the more complex bits. There’s no one-size-fits-all, and it’s about finding what works for you. She was also quick to remind everyone that she and Josh aren’t the only self-builders on Exmoor. EYV has an entire group of aspiring self-builders who are eager to follow suit. Many are navigating the biggest hurdle of all - finding affordable land. The group includes a mix of agricultural workers, builders, carpenters, architects and other local workers, all pooling knowledge, cheering each other on, and determined to overcome the barriers that prevent young people from staying and thriving here on Exmoor. Josh wrapped things up with heartfelt thanks to the room, and a special mention to Will and Les, who he described as “the rocks of EYV.” Looking ahead to the next chapter Will closed the speeches by emphasising the importance of working together. Collaboration has always been at the heart of EYV - it’s how we’ve achieved what we have so far, and it’s how we’ll keep pushing forward. After the presentation, guests enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch catered by the wonderful Shirley Julian — a chance to relax, chat and reflect on the morning’s presentations. The room was buzzing with thoughtful conversations, new connections and a real sense of shared purpose. And the response following the event has been overwhelmingly positive, with several guests offering future support, guidance and opportunities for collaboration. It felt like more than a celebration. It felt like the beginning of our next exciting chapter! Our thanks A huge thank you must go to His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Mohammed Saddiq, not only for presenting the award, but for his generous words and genuine interest in our work. We’re also incredibly grateful to Deputy Lord-Lieutenant Ian Moncrieff, who played a key role in the application process. His belief in EYV’s work and uniqueness means a lot to us. We’d also like to thank everyone who helped make the day so special, from the behind-the-scenes logistics to the generous sponsorship that made the event possible. Particular thanks to Julia Knight, Christine Dubery, Gerry Lewis, Shirley Julian, George Ody, Rachel Campbell-Johnston, Steven Pugsley, Jan Ross, Leslie and Marion Silverlock, and the many others who gave their time, energy and enthusiasm to ensure everything ran smoothly. It truly was a team effort, and one we won’t forget. A final thank you to everyone who attended to celebrate with us. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Photos by George Ody |
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June 2025
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