MORE than 260 people visited Eversfield Manor recently to support Cancer Research UK and enjoy art, music, food and the charming woodland walk with its newly constructed ‘Japanese’ bridge.

Visitors came from Bude, Holsworthy, Hatherleigh, Tavistock, Exbourne and Liskeard and the local community of Bratton Clovelly turned out in force on June 10 and 11.

The event, organised by Bratton Clovelly Festival in conjunction with Eversfield Manor owners, Bernard McNelis and Li Zhu and the Gwynngala artists, looks set to raise a healthy sum for Cancer Research UK, once all the contributions are tallied.

The large numbers enjoying a cream tea or drink in the sunshine also means that there’ll be a good contribution towards Bratton Clovelly’s community projects such as the maintenance of the parish hall.

BCF chair, Joanna Wallwork, said: “There was a wonderfully positive, happy feeling of community over the weekend, not only among visitors but also amongst the many volunteers and contributors: the sort of feeling you want to bottle and keep. Even before we’ve packed up, there’s enthusiastic talk of ‘next year!’’

The art of the very talented Gwynngala group meant there was something for everyone — sculpture, paintings, pots, jewellery and hats.

There was a mix of music from folk to classical, piano and strings and, of course, WI cream teas were very popular. Moments to remember were: The mayor of Okehampton, Jan Goffey, displaying her new Dorothy Morant hat, listening to music in the sunshine, watching children at work with crayons and pens all in the atmospheric setting of the old stone buildings of Eversfield Manor, transformed by works of art.

BCF’s next event is an evening of music on July 8 by the highly acclaimed K’antu Ensemble who are visiting from the north of the country.

For more information visit www.brattonclovellyfestival.com or email [email protected]