Salcombe Church and local causes get Fair shareout

Salcombe Regis Fair organisers give local groups share of �6,500 takings

BOOKINGS have already been taken for Stowford Community Centre which opens on September 12.

But the public will be able to view the facilities beforehand on the first of two open days on Sunday, September 4, followed by another a week later.

“We are delighted the centre is at last almost up and running,” said fundraising organiser Jan Jones last week when she was one of the recipients of cheques from the proceeds of Salcombe Regis Country Fair shared between the parish church and local good causes.

The centre, with leisure facilities, a new kitchen and a caf�, has already raised �15,000 towards the cost, backed by the Herald’s Campaign 2011.

But the fund-raising, said Jan, does not stop there.

“That will obviously carry on because we have to keep the centre going,” she added. “We are, however, encouraged by the bookings that have already come in. It indicates the centre will benefit not only the immediate vicinity but the wider Sidmouth community as well.”

Sidmouth Voluntary Services, based at the Twyford House day centre, was another welcome beneficiary of the Fair which raised �6,500 in three hours.

“We desperately need money at the moment, having spent a lot over the last four years on a new bus, replacing the kitchen and renewing floor joists,” said SVS chairman Hilary Hatherley. “We are now faced with a major roof repair which, really, is the last straw. But once that’s put right we should be set up for some time.”

The presentations, which also included donations to Sidmouth Scouts and Guides, Sidmouth Living With Cancer, Sidmouth Day Care Nursery and Sidmouth Gig Club, were made by the vicar, the Reverend Roger Trumper, after committee chairman Mike Newman had thanked the many helpers in the village and beyond for making the fair such a fundraising success.