IN 1969 local landowner Mrs B Pethybridge sold a field in the middle of South Zeal, to be held in trust for the community — it is now known as the Recreation Ground. 

Run by a small committee of volunteers, over four decades of annual fundraising has turned the field into a valued sports and recreation area.

Zale Fayre, and more recently a summer ball, have been major fundraising events.

This year's ball was a sell-out evening success on July 9 with a magnificent meal and music enjoyed in a magnificent decorated marquee preceding two days of merrymaking that all proved to be more than a fayre success.

During the fayre, Ray Souness, longest serving committee member, officially opened an outstanding children's playground filled with swings and slides.

During the ceremony tribute was paid to Wendy Redstone, for initiating fundraising, and all other committee members who worked tirelessly to achieve their goal, gaining support from Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, the Lottery Fund and the community.

A beer festival, part of the fayre, offered 16 varieties of real ale from around the county, including a Zale Fayre Special, and served 700 pints on the first afternoon while the crowds were enjoying entertainment, including Tinners Morris and Police Dog Handlers, and activities such as pony rides, a bouncy castle, bucking bronco and an ever popular duck race.

On Sunday a church service in the marquee included a christening, thought to be a fayre weekend first, before Music In The Park began, featuring Eat The Rich, a county folk punk band, and an afternoon that brought villagers to their feet to participate in a village rounders match, with teams led by Tracey Webber and Mark Lloyd watched by an enthusiastic crowd.

With Mark Lloyd's team narrowly beating the opposition, entertainment, ales, a barbecue, lunches, cream teas and puddings available daily, the Zale Fayre and Music in the Park enjoyed the finest of weather and a fabulous weekend, thanks to the efforts of all those concerned with its organisation.