A PACKED programme of events kept mums and dads, children and teenagers happy in Tavistock?s Meadows on Saturday, thanks to hard work by the town?s Lions and Round Table clubs. Lions spokesman Steve Grummit said everyone involved in the ?Bank Holiday Bonanza?, organised in lieu of the Westcountry Balloon Fiesta which was cancelled due to new safety guidelines, was ?pleasantly surprised? at the amount of people who turned out to enjoy the fun. Steve said: ?I think the support of the town was excellent ? the weather was ideal for us, there was a good crowd of people and I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. ?We had to put on extra pantomime horse races, due to popular demand, and the battling giants were very entertaining, although unfortunately Big Ethel was indisposed and couldn?t make it. The Tamar Valley Westerners put on a good show and kidnapped the president of the Round Table Club and chairman of Tavistock Lions Club and held them to ransom, and we also had 1,000 ducks floating majestically along the canal in the duck race.? Steve said the two clubs were grateful for the support of the town council, which allowed them to use the Meadows, and to mayor Jenny Metcalf, who officially opened the event. The proceeds from the day, which have yet to be calculated, will be donated to Crowndale Recreational Association. Meanwhile, the two clubs are hoping that balloons will be returning to Tavistock next year. ?We are in discussions with gas suppliers and potential sponsors and we are confident the balloons will be back for 2006,? said Steve. ?A number of balloon teams who had booked for this year did come down and treated it as an end of summer holiday ? but they were able to bring their own gas supplies. ?The feedback we are getting is that everyone wants to come to Tavistock next year ? the event is still in the calendar for next year and hopefully it will go ahead.?
