ORGANISERS of the successful Bovey Festival have been praised for showcasing the town’s growing reputation as a flag-bearer for creativity and independent producers.

The day-long event featured scores of regional food and drink producers whose stalls lined the entire length of Fore Street, closed to traffic for the duration.

The nearby Methodist Hall hosted dozens of crafts people while local performers took to the stage in The Square.

At the top of town, supporters of the fledgling Bovey Paradiso Arts Centre provided tours of the auditorium which is taking shape.

They also highlighted the venue’s use of green technologies.

Thousands of visitors poured in for the event, the extra footfall benefiting shops and businesses throughout the town, some of which staged special Festival promotions.

Mayor of Bovey Tracey Cllr Sheila Brooke said: ‘Corin and Rebecca Burton and the small team of volunteers who organised the Festival deserve the highest praise for their efforts which delivered yet another fantastic Bovey Tracey event.

‘The town was buzzing with people everywhere tucking into some wonderful food and drink or learning about our growing reputation as a hub for creativity and independent businesses.

‘We’ve a busy programme of events throughout the year and at a time when high streets nationwide are struggling, people like Corin and Rebecca are proving that change can be positive.

‘I’m so grateful that we can look to the future with a degree of confidence at a time when many towns are struggling.’

Also giving the Festival a big thumbs-up was District and County Councillor Sally Morgan who helped fund the event’s promotion via her Teignbridge Community Fund.

She said: ’It’s brilliant for the town, it brings people in and they realise what a wonderful place it is and come back later and spend more money.

‘What’s not to like? We’ve got crafts we’ve got food, we’ve got people enjoying themselves.

‘It’s also good for the people who live here creating a real sense of community pride, the organisers should be fully praised.’

Corin, who with wife Rebecca owns a zero-waste shop in Fore Street, is chairman of Business for Bovey and serves on the town council, said: ‘It’s about promoting the town and creating an environment in which residents and visitors want to use our shops and services, time and time again.

‘Bovey comes alive on festival days and everyone benefits, be that our residents, our businesses or our visitors.

‘We’re just grateful that everyone responds so warmly and we look forward to our next event which is the Bovey Love Local Market on Saturday September 27.

‘Fore Street will once again be lined with more than 35 stall, there’ll be live music and street food too.’