WINDING back time, North Tawton stepped back into the days when its Town Hall was built 160 years ago, with a Victorian theme to its Midsummer Festival Market.

Winning the rosebowl for the best dressed stall was North Tawton Women's Institute, whose stall had backdrop painted by its president Barbara Peart of a Victorian kitchen with a "tools of the trade" display, kitchen equipment lent by members, and selling cakes, kitchen utensils and cook books. Runner up was Jeanette Eames and her daughter Vicky.

The Festival is the biggest fundraising event of the year for the Hall. Last year's Festival is helping to pay for the steps at the front of the Hall to be repointed and repairs to the cobbles, while a benefactor has paid for work to the railings and stone wall supporting them. Future plans include a new kitchen.

Among organisations taking stalls were 1st North Tawton Rainbows (there are a few vacancies, contact 01837 82089), 1st North Tawton Guides, North Tawton Rangers, Ladies Section North Tawton Royal British Legion, Over 60s, Friends of the Surgery, St Peter's Church, Lakeway Church, North Tawton WI plus stalls run by individuals.