The communal effort of the villagers of Northlew ensured a magnificent fund raising event on Saturday in aid of the Okehampton New Hospital Appeal.
Members of the Womens Institute, Church and Chapel together with the football, darts and skittles clubs all pulled together in splendid teamwork.
The local bus company, Carmel Coaches, laid on free buses to bring villagers the short journey to Northlew Manor which welcomed the local community for the first time in many a long year. Mr and Mrs Brian and Janet Crittenden kindly gave the use of their garden for the afternoon to help raise funds.
A strawberry tea was served by ladies of the church and the chapel.
There was an old-fashioned community spirit throughout the whole day. The event started with the primary school choir singing three songs — including the highly appropriate 'An English Country Garden'. The entertainment carried on throughout the afternoon with something laid on for all ages of the community.
For the very young children, fancy dress competitions, a miniature garden competition and face painting and bouncy castle were all very popular.
The Fancy Dress was judged by Rev Stuart and Mrs Wilson and Mr and Mrs Crittenden.
Not only were the book, white elephant, cake and plant stalls a success — coconut shy, archery, and skittles all brought in the crowds.
The sun shone throughout the day and the only wet spot was the greasy pole, erected by the local Young Farmers for contestants to pillow fight on a pole over three feet of water — until eventually someone went splash.
The event was attended by Cllr Sonia Lindsay and Dr Paul Nielsen, together with the two oldest village inhabitants who attended the Manor some 65 years ago: namely Mrs Ivy Curtis and Mrs Squires who had many stories to tell of their youth.
A measure of the success of the day is demonstrated by the fact that £1300 which was raised for the Okehampton Hospital Appeal.