The event, which was organised to inform local people about the services available to them, proved to be very popular.
About 500 people turned up to browse the 28 stalls manned by approximately 100 representatives altogether from a wide range of local organisations.
Billie Burnett, information coordinator of the West Devon Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) and one of the organisers of the event, said: ’I had to make a waiting list because the interest from the groups was so amazing.
’I think within the first two or three hours we had ten bookings. If it hadn’t been for the [covid] restrictions we could have had more.’
In order to prevent the spread of covid, stalls were limited to a maximum of one per organisation and only 28 places, far fewer than in previous years.
Ms Burnett said that there would otherwise have been at least 100 organisation in attendance.
The organisations that were able to secure places included West Devon Borough Council, Devon Carers, Tavistock Library, Men in Sheds, Tamar Energy Community, Plymouth and West Devon Talking Newspaper, Brentor and Moor Compassionate Neighbours and other organisations.
Karen Nolan, chief executive of the West Devon CVS, said: ’I’m delighted that we have so many wonderful groups and I’m pleased that they’ve come out today.We’ve got a good selection [of organisations].’
The event was proposed by the Tavistock Health and Wellbeing Alliance, which was set up by Gulworthy and Tavistock Devon County Councillor Debo Sellis with the ambition to ’harness good in society’ and bring together statuary, voluntary and private support groups for residents in the local area.
’[The fair] is an opportunity to network, sell wares and thank people. I would like to thank the town crier,’ said Cllr Sellis.
Ms Burnett also sent thanks to to Cllr Sellis and Tavistock Rotary for their ’generous sponsorship and support.’
For more inforornation about the West Devon CVS or to volunteer visit www.westdevoncvs.org.uk.