IT WAS standing room only in Bratton Clovelly Parish Hall as villagers put the painful memories of foot and mouth behind them and really let their hair down — one year on.
Like many parishes around Okehampton, livestock in Bratton Clovelly was virtually wiped out in the foot and mouth crisis — so an evening of fun and nonsense was the tonic for people experiencing the blues as the first anniversary of the first foot and mouth case came upon them.
With well over 300 people turning up to the event and every organisation taking part, the evening was hailed an overwhelming success.
'The idea was to put all the horror behind the whole community that had been so affected and to maintain the great spirit of companionship that had emerged from that trauma,' said organiser Vivien England, who owns a pig farm in the village with her husband Graham. 'An evening of fun and nonsense is certainly what it turned out to be!'
Each parish organisation/club was invited to produce about ten minutes of entertainment to amuse the audience. Fifteen acts took place from recitations and singing to dancing and sketches — performers ranging from young children to parish councillors.
'Many stars were born on that night, said Mrs England. 'We had an hilarious parish council meeting, Ground Farce instead of Ground Force by the gardening club, a silly sing-a-long and a strip tease to name but a few.'
Mrs England said much fun had been had at the rehearsals and each performance was kept top secret until the night.
'It was a great success with a tremendous atmosphere of friendship and community spirit, so much so that many requests for a similar annual event are being considered,' added the organiser.