Big-hearted gesture bags Rusty Pig dinner at Carnival fundraiser

Robin Rea of Rusty Pig was ‘flabbergasted’ to learn that his auction prize of a dinner for 12 raised £1,000 at a Valentine’s Ball & Banquet hosted at the Institute by the Carnival Committee.

Robin, who was away on a skiing holiday at the time of the auction, said: “I received the news by text, and nearly fell off my skies.

“This was an extremely generous gesture and I look forward to cooking up one heck of a meal for the winning bidder.”

In fact, the princely price was paid by Stuart Phillips, MD of Coverstructures in Honiton. He said:

“I am delighted to support the Carnival Committee in this way. Ottery St Mary is full of community minded people working hard for the town, and the Valentine’s event is a wonderful way to raise money. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening.”

This was the second Valentine’s Ball, and the now-annual event is becoming a top-performing fundraiser for the Carnival and Tar Barrels. Although the final total hasn’t been released yet, it looks set to be in the thousands, thanks to the generosity of those who donated prizes, and the sterling efforts of local food establishments in providing the food.

This year, Jacqui and Mike Down from the Volunteer Inn made the starter; ham hock terrine with homemade piccalilli, homemade bread roll and thyme butter, while the Rusty Pig’s offering was a main course of mutton tangine, and the dessert, Rocky Road brownie with rose crème fraiche.

Robin Wickham of the Carnival Committee added: “We would like to thank those who provided the food, especially Jacqui and Mike, and Rusty Pig’s Craig Samson and Joe Draper who stood in for Robin while he was away.”

A competitive spirit has arisen, with the team at the Volunteer pledging to offer a dinner for the auction at next year’s event!