Three-day event raised record sum for North Devon Hospice

dave.tanner@archant.co.uk
30 October 2009

The English National Sheep Dog Trials and Devon Country Fayre at Filleigh this summer raised £82,000 for North Devon Hospice - more than any other single event in its history.

Nearly 9,000 visitors and their families descended on Filleigh to sample the best of what Devon has to offer and it was such a success that talks are under way for similar future events.

Hosted at The Earl and Countess of Arran's Castle Hill Estate, the three-day event showcased many local trades and businesses.

The grounds of Castle Hill proved the perfect venue for the National Sheep Dog Trials and David Kennard, chairman of the local organisation committee, said: "Castle Hill was a wonderful location for this year's national trials. The whole event will live long in the memory of competitors and spectators alike."

Lady Arran, who has supported the hospice as President for nearly 20 years, was delighted that Castle Hill was chosen to host the event.

"We were thrilled to see so many people enjoying the range of activities," she said. It really was three full days of fun for the all the family, with visitors captivated by the incredible sheep dogs and their owners competing in the trials."

The fayre itself was equally successful with more than 100 businesses exhibiting goods, from handmade jewellery to local farm produce. Main sponsors Mole Valley Farmers, had prime location with their full-sized store for the entire weekend. Chief Executive, Andrew Jackson said: "We were delighted and proud to support this fantastic event and it was good to see so many local businesses doing well off the back of it."

Gordon Lester, chief executive of North Devon Hospice, said: "Particular thanks must go to the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time to do all sorts of things from parking cars to selling programmes. Their welcoming smiles made the event extra special for everyone."

"The number of families attending was also extraordinary. Our motto is 'being there for all the family', and we wanted the event to reflect this ethos. Allowing free entry for children ensured that the 8,800 paying guests were able to enjoy the whole experience with their families.