CHUDLEIGH nailed its colours to the mast as the town hosted its first ‘Respect Day’.

Taking place in the Town Hall, the event was billed as a celebration of diversity, bookending National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

The event, which was run by Chudleigh Against Racism (CAR), with the support of the Chudleigh Town Council, Teignbridge CVS, Devon and Cornwall Police and the Coop, saw as many as 50 families attend.

Attendees were spoilt for choice for activities at the free event; the activities on offer were run by the CAR team and headed by Kate from Tiny Travels, who specialises in round the world children’s play experiences.

With everything from drawing and painting to mask making and drumming, there was never a dull moment at Chudleigh’s debut ‘Respect Day’.

Edibles from all corners of the globe were eagerly scooped up and consumed with gusto by those in attendance.

Councillor Rick Webb opened the evening event and launched the Council’s Pledge, adopted from the National Association of Local Councils, against bullying, harassment and intimidation.

The council hopes to work with local businesses and organisations to adopt the pledge.

Cllr Webb stressed that Chudleigh wants to be welcoming to all members of the community.

There were displays by CAR, the Town Council, the Police, Refugee Support Devon, Amnesty International, Windrush (DDE) and Fairtrade.

The evening event, which was attended by around 60 people, featured a performance by pupils of Chudleigh Community Primary School, who sang a song about racism that they had written with local composer David Haines.

A round of Syrian dancing and then Ghanaian drumming followed and quickly gave everyone an appetite.

Syrian and Caribbean food was served up to successfully quell the hunger – Khaled Wakkaa, a former refugee from Syria who is crowdfunding to set up a food truck to celebrate his country’s cuisine, had been cooking for two days.

Rounding off the event, people sat down to watch some short films about racism, including some made by young people in Devon.