VIDEO: Tivvy Fest Begin Month Long Spectacular of Events

A MONTH long spectacle of activities began in Tiverton on

Saturday, when the flag was raised on this year’s Tivvy Fest.

The start of the festival saw maypole dancing, by Castle

Primary School pupils, Tiverton Town Majorettes perform, and Kalash American tribal style belly

dancers. There was also a chance to dress up as the mayor in a competition.

The town crier Frank Housam was once again in fine voice to

let people know about the event, then mayor Cllr Paul Graham proceeded from the

town hall to Phoneix Lane at 10am, to raise the Tivvy Fest flag and declare the

festival open.

This was Cllr Paul Graham’s last ceremony as mayor, and

Lester Crocker takes over from him on Tuesday. He said: “I’ve had a great time as

mayor and it’s something I’d love to do again one day. It’s been a fantastic experience,

and this is a great way to cap off the year.

 “I think people

should really get involved in a community event like this, it’s in its third

year, and it brings the community together.

“Throughout the year I’ve been trying to get that community

spirit into Tiverton and it is evident, and I’m pleased to say it’s very

vibrant as well. Something like Tivvy Fest can only enhance that.”

Organisers hope that the town will get behind the event

which finishes on May 31. Events include walking, dancing, singing, concerts, guided

tours and special lectures.

Jane Snow who helped organise the month long array said: “I

honestly couldn’t tell you how long it took to organise, it just lives in my

brain. I think about it all the time – even know I’m thinking about next year’s

event as we like to have something different each year as well as all the

wonderful acts we have regularly.

“I think it’s a wonderful chance for people to see and take

part in the party atmosphere and get a real sense of the community. That’s what

we’re really about, and encouraging people to come along and get involved.”

A group of Castle Primary school pupils in key stage two

entertained crowds as they danced around the maypole.  They were led by former teacher Dorothy Smith:

“We asked for volunteers to come and help out, and they’ve been practicing in

PE lessons.  A lot of them did it when

they were younger and it’s like riding a bike – you never forget.

“I think they’ve done really well.”

Those dancing around the maypole included Lilly Dolby, 10,

who said: ““It took a couple of weeks to get used to the maypole but we got through

it.

Heather Coles, 8 added: “I’ve seen people do it before so it

was very exciting to do it for the first time myself. I thought we were going

to make a mistake but we didn’t.”

Sophie Ford, 10, said: “I didn’t do any practice so I’ve

only done it today – it was exciting, but I was only doing the pole. I think we

managed to impress the crowd though. “

For a full list of events see the Tivvy Fest website - www.tivvyfest.com, and for more information contact Jane on janepsnow@tiscali.co.uk