A community festival promoting equality, inclusivity and respect for all has been declared a success.

Tavistock’s first-ever Respect Festival, was run by volunteers who worked with local groups, organisations and schools throughout the year to stage the colourful celebration of diversity and difference.

The eight-day festival connected the community and ensured everyone from all backgrounds feels welcome.

Residents were able to take part in free opportunities to explore the diverse identities and cultures, including Indian and Italian cookery, Caribbean dance, Zimbabwean and Indian textiles, a gig night exploring global sounds, a youth photography workshop, sensory play exploring different cultures and an afternoon exploring the culture of Afghanistan.

Joint organiser Sian Aubrey said: “It’s vital the community is involved building a festival like this, it means what is really wanted can be made a reality by the people who know the area and community best.”

The week culminated in a festival day in Butcher’s Hall and Bedford Square offering singing, steel pan, African drumming and Latin American dance workshops, circus skills, live performances, creative art and homemade global cuisine.

One attendee said: “There was such a buzz around the town with so many fantastic workshops and musicians, it will be amazing to see it grow.”

Another participant commented: “We all came away feeling really good. Thank you to everyone involved for being so generous and committed to bringing cultural diversity, togetherness and inclusivity to Tavistock. It means a lot to so many of us.”

Anyone wanting to support the festival can donate to the Respect Festival 2027 Crowdfunder page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/respect-fest-tavistock or email [email protected] on how to get involved.

The organisers thanked Tavistock Youth Cafe, Printworks, Tavistock Library, West Devon Art Studios, Tavistock Town Council and West Devon borough independent councillors.

The festival evolved from Tavi Stands Up To Racism’s development of Tavistock Celebrates Multiculturalism which took place during 2025 Refugee Week.

Visitors to Tavistock Respect Festival admire colourful Indian fabrics.
Visitors to Tavistock Respect Festival admire colourful Indian fabrics. (Photos: Hanna Collins Photography and Greg Symon Photography)
Admiration for a musician performing at Tavistock Respect Festival.
Admiration for a musician performing at the festival. ( Photos: Hanna Collins Photography and Greg Symon Photography)
Members of Tavistock Ukrainian community taking part in Tavistock Respect Festival.
Members of Tavistock Ukrainian community taking part. ( Photos: Hanna Collins Photography and Greg Symon Photography)
Tavistock Respect Festival included multi-cultural home made food.
Tavistock Respect Festival included the chance to sample homemade food. ( Photos: Hanna Collins Photography and Greg Symon Photography)
Tavistock Youth Cafe hosts the town's first Respect Festival.
Tavistock Youth Café were taking part. (Photos: Hanna Collins Photography and Greg Symon Photography)
A Tavistock Respect Festival African fabric print making workshop at the Printworks.
An African fabric printmaking workshop at the Printworks was part of the festival. (Iliffe Media)
Creating designs at a Tavistock Respect Festival fabric print design workshop. Picture by Greg Symon.
Creating designs at a Tavistock Respect Festival fabric print design workshop. Picture by Greg Symon. (Greg Symon)
A pair learn how to design textile prints at a Tavistock Respect Festival workshop. Picture by Greg Symon.
Learning how to design textile prints at a Tavistock Respect Festival workshop. Picture by Greg Symon. (Greg Symon)