What's On in Wells is brought to you by our sponsors, Studio24 in Wells, Sandersons Wells, Crossfit Mendip, Wells Festival of Literature and Wookey Hole Caves.

Theatre, music, and hands-on experiences are all on the agenda in Wells this week.

Classical fans can enjoy French harp music in Pilton, while those looking for something a little more electronic can catch The Orb at Studio24.

Elsewhere, East Somerset Railway is celebrating International Women’s Day with a day of sport and engineering, and railway enthusiasts will have the chance to get involved as volunteers take centre stage at a special recruitment day.

There is plenty happening across Somerset this week, with a packed schedule of live performances, exhibitions, markets, and community events. Whether you're looking for a night of music, a chance to learn something new, or even an opportunity to volunteer, there's something for everyone.

The weekend begins on Friday, 7 March, with a performance from Kembang at the Glastonbury Assembly Rooms. The group blends English folk traditions with the intricate sounds of Javanese Karawitan, featuring layered melodies and hypnotic harmonies. For those looking for something unique, this promises to be an atmospheric and immersive experience. More details about the event can be found on the event page.

Also on Friday, Pilton Methodist Chapel will host The Glory of the Harp, a concert dedicated to French music. Acclaimed harpist Alexander Rider will perform works by Saint-Saëns, Fauré, and other composers of the Belle Époque in an intimate candlelit setting. Special guest performances will add to the sense of occasion. Attendees can arrive early for coffee and stay after the concert for a gathering at The Crown. For further information, see the full listing.

On the same evening in Shepton Mallet, The Art Bank will host the launch of the March Vault Exhibition, featuring sculptor and painter Joseph Stokes. Known for his neo-classical surrealist biomorphism, Stokes has exhibited internationally, and this event will showcase his latest ink works and marble carvings. The launch will also feature a live performance by Tolerance Manoeuvre, a band blending cello, electric guitar, and trumpet to create expansive soundscapes. More details on this exhibition can be found via The Art Bank.

The programme continues on Saturday, 8 March, with the launch of a new exhibition at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury. Titled Strength and Resilience: Somerset Women in the Second World War, the exhibition highlights the contributions of four remarkable women, including photographer Lee Miller, who documented WRENs at RNAS Yeovilton, and spy Odette Hallowes, a key agent for the Special Operations Executive. The exhibition will run until June and is included with museum admission. More information is available from the museum.

That same day, the East Somerset Railway in Cranmore will celebrate International Women's Day with a mix of sport and engineering. The Wells City Women's Football Team will open the railway's 2025 season, followed by an engineering workshop where visitors can try lathe work, grinding, welding, and metal fabrication. The event aims to inspire young women interested in engineering careers but is open to anyone keen to get hands-on experience. More details are available through the East Somerset Railway.

For those looking for live music, Studio24 in Wells will host The Orb on Saturday evening. Thirty-five years after first taking the ambient house world by storm, The Orb continues to innovate with deep soundscapes, electronic beats, and legendary collaborations. With a career that has included working with David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, this promises to be a standout event for electronic music fans. Tickets start at £27.50, and full details can be found on the Studio24 website.

For those interested in sustainable living, The Art Bank in Shepton Mallet will be hosting a Repair Café on Saturday. Visitors are encouraged to bring broken household items, from electronics to textiles, and have them fixed for free by skilled volunteers. The event runs from 11 am to 1 pm. Full details are available on the event listing.

Also taking place on Saturday is the Men's Walk to Support event, raising funds for Dorothy House Hospice Care. The eight-mile walk takes participants along the canal, finishing at Bath Pavilion in time to watch two Six Nations rugby matches. Participants will receive a free pint and food, with all funds raised supporting end-of-life care services. Entry is £28 and includes an event t-shirt. Further details can be found on the organiser's page.

On Sunday, 9 March, railway enthusiasts looking to get involved behind the scenes should head to Cranmore Station, where the East Somerset Railway is hosting a Volunteer Recruitment Day. There are opportunities for ticket inspectors, platform greeters, shop assistants, and locomotive restorers. The event includes a tour of the site and a ride on a steam train. Anyone interested in volunteering can find more information via East Somerset Railway.

Also on Sunday, the Toy & Train Collectors Fair at Bath & West Showground promises a day of nostalgia and rare finds. With over 300 stalls, visitors can browse Dinky, Hornby, Meccano, Corgi models, Scalextric, dolls, teddies, and more. Early bird tickets are available from 8:30 am, with general admission from 10 am. More details on the fair are available through Bath & West Showground.

Looking slightly further ahead, Shepton Mallet Sunday Market returns on Sunday, 30 March. With a mix of local produce, antiques, home and garden goods, and art, the market will also feature a rotating selection of street food traders, workshops, and live music. Organisers are keeping the entertainment lineup under wraps for now, but more details will be announced soon. For the latest updates, check the market's official announcement.

With such a diverse range of events happening across the region, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether it's live music, historical exhibitions, railway adventures, or community initiatives, Somerset is offering plenty of ways to get involved and explore something new this week.