A SMALL gathering at The Duck in Yeoford during the morning of Saturday, October 16, saw the official launch, delayed since January, of the defibrillator on the wall of the pub.

Money for the green and yellow machine came from a number of individuals plus organisations such as British Heart Foundation with a £500 grant towards the £1,700 machine, Crediton Hamlets Parish Council and Devon County Council through Nick Way, former county councillor for the area and from his Locality Fund.

Among those present who had helped were John and Sue Painter from Hittisleigh who had given bottles of the sloe gin, damson gin, plum rum and a brandy that he had made to be “sold” in the pub for a donation to the defibrillator fund.

Allan Veal, chef at the pub, ran the monthly market at Yeoford before any lockdowns when stallholders contributed to the fund, raising £115.

His partner Vicky Norton runs Yeoford life drawing group. They had a model who gave his time for the charity event with a buffet, which raised about £120.

Dave May, facilitator for Yeoford Hearty Hearts, said the machine cost £1,700. It was put in place at the beginning of this year and, to the delight of the group, has not yet been needed.

Cllr John Stevens was representing Crediton Hamlets, of which he is vice chairman. He said the council was hoping to find a site for a defibrillator at Hookway.

Cllr Frank Letch, Devon County Council, representing Nick Way, said how necessary defibrillators were, adding that it would be good if some sort of solar-powered system could be found so that they could be put in more rural areas.

Other people at the launch had contributed financially in various ways.