I WAS once told by Tom Benson, when he was Buckfastleigh’s vicar, that Buckfastleigh was a small town with a big heart.

It is never more evident than at Christmas. A small team turn the town into a veritable fairyland with lit decorations.

When it comes to the Christmas fair, a very small team of Cathy Veasey, Jon Pickles, Eric Matthews, Mandy Hayman, Graham Squires, Paul Roberts, Joanna de Groot,and Marzec, and a very special team of helpers, turned the town into a magical place to visit.

Closing the main street to traffic, it was taken over by 50 stalls, selling a wide range of seasonal goods – with the majority being made by local residents, a variety of food and drink, again almost all provided by local businesses, who generously sponsored so much of the costs.

A major highlight was the Victorian carousel, built in1886, provided by ‘Events with a Difference’, withthe organising committee deciding to charge only £1 a ride in order to make it affordable to many.

Similarly the committee decided to pay Billy the Wiz, the roving balloon maker, so every child could have one without having to pay for them. Other entertainment was provided by Higher Beings Circus (stilt walkers), and Mark Gale, (singer).

Santa’s Grotto could be found in The Valiant Soldier, with Buckfastleigh Chamber of Trade providing the gifts.

David Ship conducted a fabulous Street Auction, with 28 amazing lots being donated by local businesses, raising valuable funds to support the running of the fair.

Children from Buckfastleigh Primary School paraded through town playing carnival drums and singing carols and there was further Carol Singing outside St Luke as church with street buskers.

There was late night shopping with local traders remaining open.

I would defy anyone not to have been tempted to have a drink, something to eat or buy a gift. Next year’s event to be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. The organisers wanted to say a huge thank you to all of those that have supported the event through donating money, goods in kind and personal time.

=The generous sponsors for the fair this year were: Buckfastleigh Town Council, Dean Court Farm Shop, J. Searle and Son, Ratio Plastic Models, Glendinning, Pennywell Farm, Anran Focus Hospitality, Dartmouth Steam Railway, Johnsons Building Merchants, South Devon Railway, Moorland Arts & Craft, Dyno Climbing Centre, Kings Arms, Buckfast Butterflies and Dartmoor Otters, Urban Paws, Devonia Sheepskins & Tannery, Sing Kettle, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Rotary, The Coffee House, Chamber of Trade Buckfastleigh, Moorland Wellbeing, Dartwood, The Saturday Shop, Dart Garage, Huccaby’s, Jolly Rogers, Brainwave, The Share Shed, Voyagers Coffee, Barnaby’s Brewhouse, Buckfastleigh Kebab House, Silly Buckers Cider, Around Ashburton, Parish Link, Buckfastleigh Community News, Luscombe Drinks, Dartmoor Chilli Farm, Jack O’Rourke and the Rogues, Roland Bennett, Buckfastleigh Walking Sticks, The Locking Shop.