NEWLY-formed charity Bratton Clovelly Festival has been able to install new lighting in the parish hall with the help of locality budget funding.

When the festival committee began staging music and art events in its small and rural village, it realised how fortunate the parish was in having the choice of good venues, particularly the large parish hall. However, the parish hall did not have any stage lighting.

The strip lighting used for playing badminton or bowls was not appropriate for the kind of performances, exhibitions and dances that Bratton Clovelly Festival committee was keen to put on.

Chair of the charity Joanna Wallwork said that this placed a frustrating limit on the sorts of events that could be staged in the village for the enjoyment of local people and that the young charity lacked the funds to buy what was needed. 

Joanna decided to take action and contacted Devon County Councillor Kevin Ball about locality budget funding.

Joanna said: ‘He immediately gave the sort of encouragement and support that was needed, explained the application process and, within a short space of time, thanks to his help and the locality budget funding, Bratton Clovelly Festival were staging such varied events as a youth orchestra, an exhibition, a Chinese Mooncake festival and a ceilidh — all with fantastic lighting.’

With this funding, the festival committee was able to purchase professional coloured lighting with stands. When Exeter based lighting supplier Prosound and Light realised that this was a funded purchase for a charity — it donated four further stands and bright white lights suitable for lighting an orchestra.

‘What’s more, the lighting is also available for other community activities, such as amateur dramatics, local talent fundraising events and school productions,’ said Joanna.

Bratton Clovelly Festival is now a registered charity aimed at bringing good quality music, art, lectures and workshops to the parish.

In its first year, these events have been enjoyed by growing numbers of people in the parish and in surrounding areas, including Okehampton.

Joanna said that the most recent event was a performance by Devon folk duo, Cosgrave and Banks, and it was enjoyed by a ‘very enthusiastic’ audience.

On December 10, the local Bootleg Swing Band is putting on a dance. Next year, events will include the Balagan Café Band, local artists exhibition, a string quartet and Exeter Cathedral choir.

For more information about the charity and future events visit www.brattonclovellyfestival.com If you’d like to get involved with the charity email [email protected].