THOUSANDS of pounds were distributed to Devon charities at a Garden Party hosted by the High Sheriff of Devon, John Lee OBE, at his Shobrooke home.

Hundreds of local people and many from afar, including two guests from Australia, attended the party, where they enjoyed afternoon tea and entertainment by Crediton Town Band, Exeter College student band and the band of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Pipes and Drums band.

During the afternoon, Mr Lee and his predecessor, Robin Barlow, presented six local community groups with grants from the High Sheriff's Fund to enable them to continue their invaluable work.

Working with Devon Community Foundation, past High Sheriffs Sarah Lopez and Robin Barlow and the recently-appointed High Sheriff, Mr Lee had chosen six groups who they feel offer an invaluable service to their communities.

Each group was presented with a cheque for £1,500 by Mr Lee and Mr Barlow.

The groups included Exeter based YMCA Community Project; Changing Tunes (music project) based at Exeter Prison; Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT) of Tiverton; Wings South West (Bideford); Devon Street Pastors and Mission (Torquay and Plymouth) and the Shekinah Mission, based in Torquay (a homelessness charity).

Mr Barlow had previously visited each of these groups in their own environment to help to highlight the difference they make to their local communities.

Robin said: "These visits were genuinely inspiring as many were about young people. It has been great to talk to some of them and hear what a difference the organisations are making to their lives. It demonstrated the real achievements of these groups and the evidence of their success can be seen in the happy smiles of the youngsters."

The new High Sheriff, John Lee said: "The annual garden party was the perfect environment to present each of these groups with their grants.

"The work they do really makes a difference to the lives of people less fortunate."

A raffle for some quality prizes at the garden party raised more than £2,000 for the High Sheriff's Fund.

Guests at the party included the Lord Lt of Devon, Eric Dancer; Cllr Rachel Lyons, the Lord Mayor of Exeter and Cllr Bernard Hughes, chairman of Devon County Council, plus many other civic guests.

Also attending were a number of servicemen and women who had given outstanding service, plus many members of the local community.

All those who attended enjoyed convivial hospitality and a chance to meet and talk with many other people.

Mr Lee, a local farmer, was honoured with the title at a special service held at St Swithun's Church, Shobrooke, at the end of March.

Mr Lee is chairman of the Council of the Devon Agricultural Association, organisers of the annual Devon County Show and of the South West Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy.

He has been an active member of the Young Farmers' movement, was chairman of Bicton College, is a member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and is also a board member with Mole Avon Trading Ltd.

He is a beef and cereal producer at Coombe Barton Farm, Shobrooke and was awarded the OBE for services to the rural economy in 2011.

He is a past chairman of the parish council and is treasurer of the Friends of Shobrooke Church.

In 2011 he was awarded a Fellowship from the Royal Agricultural Societies (FRAgS).

The office of the High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the country. The earliest known Sheriff of Devon was Richard, son of Baldwin, who was appointed in 1086.

Alan Quick