Stalls and attractions bring crowds to Honiton Community Festival

Around 500 people visited the Honiton Community Festival where many local community groups held stalls and attractions.

A number of demonstrations were held throughout the day at the event which was held at Allhallows Playing Field.

These included displays by SYTL Karate, which included a very useful Stranger Danger message, the SPS Kickboxing group who showed off their skills, the lively Honiton Twirlstars who put on a great performance and musicians from the Honiton Youth Orchestra provided some great music for the event.

Officers from Wild East Devon made wonderful wooden necklaces, the Munchkins Miniature ponies offered grooming and meet the ponies, the Devon Freewheelers provided a wonderful BBQ with tasty burgers and hot dogs, and the Honiton Army Cadets very kindly held signs and posters in the street directing people to the festival ground. Bertie the bus made an appearance with the Honiton Lions and could be seen doing laps of the field with some very happy children riding along.

East Devon District Council community development worker Penny Hartnell organised the festival and a great day was had by all.

Councillor Pauline Stott, Chairman of East Devon District Council’s Housing Review Board, said that the event was a great success. “Our community development workers do a wonderful job to help the community bond together with everybody taking part.

“We have five such officers working across East Devon to help both young and old get something more out of their lives and the festival is a great example of the work they do.’’

Councillor Jill Elson, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Homes and Communities added her praise for the work of the council’s community development workers. She said: “They actively encourage young people to take part in activities to give them confidence so that they can make a positive contribution to their community.”