MORE youngsters on Exmoor will be able to take part in creative arts activities over the next year thanks to a National Lottery grant.

The lottery’s community fund has awarded £7,750 to Fabula Arts, based in Brushford, near Dulverton, to fund free and subsidised places at its youth theatre and Shakespeare summer school.

Fabula Arts, a not-for-profit organisation formed James Gillam seven years ago in Northampton, provides opportunities in the creative arts for young people aged seven to 18 years.

Mr Gillam moved to Exmoor in 2022 and brought with him his vision of creative arts access for youngsters both in and out of school.

The organisation runs a weekly junior youth theatre in Brushford for eight to 12 year olds and a senior group for 13 years and older which meets every week in Dulverton.

Its Shakespeare summer school will run from Tuesday, August 18, to Saturday, August 22, finishing with a performance in Knackershole Garden Theatre, which is in a private garden near Dulverton.

Mr Gillam said the sessions helped young people to make new friends, gain confidence, and develop their artistic skills.

He said the funding would allow the organisation to widen its reach and open its doors to those for whom fees may have been a barrier.

Mr Gillam said: “We are delighted the National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

“Thanks to lottery players we can open our doors to more children and young people in this very rural area, strengthening our provision and making Fabula Arts a vital community hub for young people.”

The lottery money will kick in to help the group fund free and subsidised places with its youth theatre from September, and also for the Shakespeare summer school this year and next.