Honiton’s annual Market Charter Day took place on Saturday.

The event on July 24, Competition winners for the Best Dressed Window went to 1st place, Planet Sal and 2nd place, to The French Hen. 

History trail competition winners were drawn from the hat at the event, prizes to be dispatched once all advised was 1st. Prize Chris Hicks, 2nd Prize Karen Hicks & 3rd Prize Janice Spragg 

The opening ceremony included representatives from the Honiton Branch of the Royal British Legion; Group Captain Gordon Evans - President of SSAFA and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Devon; MP Richard Foord; Members of the local Air Cadets; Honiton Town Mayor, Tony McCollum; Town Crier, Dave Retter; Deputy Town Crier, Caroline Kolek, and members of the South West Airfields Heritage Trust - who arrived in a convoy of classic and military vehicles, complete with Winston Churchill & Field Marshall Montgomery lookalikes. 

The opening proclamation was made by the deputy town crier, and this was followed by a brief welcome from the mayor.

Two buglers from Honiton Town Band then played Reveille to mark the start of events, and a variety of entertainments took place in and outside the church until the early afternoon. 

Meanwhile, along Northcote Lane and in Allhallows field a lot of charity, entertainment & food stalls advertised the services they have to offer locally within Devon. 

Charter Day marks the granting of the right to hold weekly markets to the town way back in 1257, and aims to be a fun community event which showcases local businesses and organisations. It is not intended to be a fundraising event, but any money left over after expenses have been covered is donated to a different local charity each year. In 2024 our nominated charity is the Honiton Branch of the Royal British Legion and - due to a very generous donation of £500 from Dunkeswell-based company, Supacat - a cheque for £700 was recently/will be handed to the RBL Branch Secretary, Nick Wadey. 

A spokesman for the Charter Day said: "The event was organised by a small group of volunteers who put the event together, they would like to thank everyone who attended and made it the success it was.

"We must thank all the dancers, musicians and various groups that continued to maintain a busy field something going on through the day.  

"From the stallholders who braved the weather, to the volunteers who helped set up, and the entertainers who performed in difficult weather conditions throughout the day. 

"The opening ceremony brought a lot of interest to the event in the High Street, and we would like to thank the many shops and businesses that supported the day, from displaying posters, donating vouchers and prizes, putting up window displays, and hosting the history trail competition."

The Charter Day planning group’s AGM will be held at the Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton on Tuesday 6th August at 7.15pm, and everyone is warmly invited to attend.