AN innovative festival celebrating one enchanting animal in particular is being held in Tavistock from February 15 to March 31.
'Pigmania' will celebrate pigs and their creative inspiration through many events around Tavistock, thanks to the festival's creator Ann Pulsford.
Ann is launching the festival with the help of various organisations, including TaVI Tavistock and Villages Initiative and Devon Community Foundation.
Ann first stumbled on the idea of a mini-pig festival after a trip to Bath where she saw pigs captured in resin sculptures throughout the city to highlight the mythical King Bladud's founding of the city after he discovered the healing property of mud.
Events around Tavistock will include 'Pigs on the Patio' at the Wharf on from February 16 to March 16, and a pig-themed poetry reading, along with a play adaptation of Animal Farm, in the Wharf's bar area on Wednesday, March 25.
There will also be a Pigout and Beer Festival at the Trout and Tipple from February 19 to February 26 for anyone who is feeling thirsty and wants to try a 'Squeal Ale'.
Ann said she hopes people will come forward with their own piggy tales, mementos and poems.
'Pigs are an inspiration for creativity and what I'd like is for people to get out all their pig stuff and make a piece of art, write a poem — anything really.'
The educational project will also be holding a free competition — 'Create A Pig'. There are four categories: a poem, ten lines max; a story, 100 words max; a picture or collage, A4 size; and mask or model. There will be prizes for the winners of each category.
Creative work should be labelled with your name, address, email address or phone number, and age, and sent to Tavistock Library before Monday, March 16.
For more information and a list of events taking place during the festival can be found at the Wharf in Tavistock as well as at the library.