GALE force winds did little to blow away the festive spirit at Bere Alston's Victorian Evening last Saturday. The event, organised by the local carnival committee, traditionally heralds the start of the Christmas season on the Bere Peninsula. The main street was closed to traffic and members of the village's fire brigade assisted in decorating it with trees and lights in keeping with this year's theme of 'Winter Wonderland'. The winds meant that planned fairground rides could not take place, but steam train rides and Father Christmas in his grotto kept children enchanted, while in the parish hall was a bazaar providing adults with the opportunity to start Christmas shopping in earnest. This Aladdin's cave included stalls, games and raffles run by local groups including the cubs and scouts, Youth2Youth, the RNLI, the Regeneration Partnership and a stall in aid of disadvantaged children in Macedonia and Ethiopia. Refreshments were served by committee members and children were entertained by magician Alan Dark. A new addition was a Victorian Emporium in a nearby marquee, raising funds for Bere Alston School's float for next year's carnival. It was decked with glowing lanterns and barber shop poles, with stallholders in costume selling trinkets, sweets, balloons and posies, and popcorn produced by a replica machine. A life-sized dancing bear completed the picture. Contrasting musical entertainment was provided by Morice Town Salvation Army Band and Lodestone Morris Band. The best dressed window competition was won by the Smith family's illuminated depiction of a snowy street scene, judged by Tavistock town crier Bob Rose and his wife Shirley. Best dressed Victorian was Verity Cooper, chosen by parish council chairman Cllr Bev Slaughter, his consort Cllr Juli Slaughter and council clerk Mary Taylor. The winning entries — some very moving — from a poetry competition were read out and prizes awarded. A poster competition, sponsored by the local Co-operative Society, was open to pupils of Bere Alston School and drew imaginative entries. Thanks were expressed to everyone who had helped in any way.
