CROWDS of people went along to a country fair at Nymet Rowland, defying the wet weather.

The fair was organised by Nymet Rowland Church Warden,Victoria Littlewood, on behalf of Cadbury Deanery as part of celebrations to mark 1,100 years of the first bishop in the Diocese of Exeter and the founding of Devon's first cathedral in Crediton.

Local churches, businesses and individuals were invited to take stalls and more than 70 were represented, some selling products, cakes, buttonholes, books, handicrafts, local produce and much more.

There were demonstrations of rural crafts such as basket making, drystone walling, horse shoeing and spinning.

There was a fun dog show and Maypole dancing by children from Hayward's Primary School and country dancing by Landscore Primary School, both from Crediton.

Kyrton Archers invited people to "have-a-go" and there was music by students from Queen Elizabeth's Community College.

Hatherleigh Silver Band played and Winkleigh Morris danced.

There were plenty of opportunities to enjoy local food.

Pony rides were popular in between the showers, but children could also enjoy painting pottery and taking part in a variety of races.

The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev Michael Langrish, and well-known Exmoor naturalist Johnny Kingdom were the special guests and presented prizes to competition winners.

The Bishop was full of praise for the event and said it was "a real celebration of Devon country life".

He added: "The economy depends on small, local businesses and celebrating and supporting them is very important and anything that showcases them has got to be good."

Victoria Littlewood said the event was "the church's gift to the community."

She added: "We are trying to help people who can't afford stalls at the bigger shows by providing a free shop window.

"We want to show that we're there for everyone, not just people who come to our services."

She said she was delighted at the turnout, estimated at more than 900, and said she did not think the weather had affected the event too much.

Lapford Football Club were the winners of the tug-of-war competition and, in the dog show, Maddy, an English Pointer owned by Penny Doe of Down St Mary was the winner of the class for the "Dog Most Like the Bishop".

Boxer bitch Ilya owned by Sandra Cowell of Dawlish was best in show, with collie DJ owned by Lucy Conabeer from Crediton the reserve best in show.

The best puppy was boxer, Henry, owned by Betty Summers from Down St Mary.

In the competition for a drawing of a wild animal, Copplestone School were the winners with Newton St Cyres second and Lapford third.

On the Shobrooke Church stall, there was a treasure hunt on a map of the Cadbury Deanery. The treasure was hidden in Cadbury Castle and the winner was David Silvester of Knowle.

The event was one of many attended by the Bishop in his Mission Week in the Deanery, which also included visits to Queen Elizabeth Community College, Crediton's Milk Link factory, a quiz night at Thorverton, a visit to the offices of the Crediton Country Courier and other businesses in Crediton High Street, in addition to many church services, including a baptism and Confirmation service at Crediton Parish Church.

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