COPPLESTONE School PTA with Copplestone Recreation Association held a Donkey Derby in the school grounds to raise funds for both groups on Saturday, July 9.

Several stalls were run by other local groups such as the Chapel who ran the cake stall, refreshments were by the Recreation Association, Mid Devon Tractor Engine and Machinery Group members went along with a few tractors.

Donald Kingdom of Copplestone had cars in the play ground, stalls were mostly local people with handmade crafts, jewellery and gift ideas.  Copplestone Football Club ran some of the games, children were able to use the school play equipment and a group of school children ran the glitter tattoo stall.

There were two racks of pre-loved school uniform.  Edgar Pett from Milton Damerel near Holsworthy had people guessing with the three big forks he had on display for dealing with roots such as potatoes and mangolds, stones or apples.  Also his “pride and joy” the Templar Tracer former ride-on lawn mower made between 1976 and 1979.

A member of Mid Devon Tractor Engine and Machinery Group he is also chairman of Holsworthy Vintage Rally.  This is to be held on September 11 at Milton Damerel.

As well as tractors, there was the 1950 stationary engine of Derek Smith of Copplestone with his Lister D with a Godwin pump and water wheel.  There was also a big display of model tractors and farm machinery.

Terry Vincent and his son, Jimmy, had brought eight of their donkeys from Weston-super-Mare where they are usually on beach rides duty.

Funds raised were for Copplestone School PTA and Copplestone Village Hall Fund.  A revised planning application has gone to Mid Devon District Council for the hall to be built on the field behind the school overlooking the football field.  An application has been made for a National Lottery grant.

PTA chairman Claire Glover thanked everyone who had given their time, donated funds, who supported the day in any way, to all the volunteers and businesses who sponsored a race or a donkey.  Each was listed in the programme with the headline sponsor being Jonathan Wood Veterinary Surgeons of Crediton.

She added: “We have received so many positive comments.  It is thanks to the whole team that it all came together.  It was hard work but the support we had was tremendous, for which we are all so grateful.”

• See more images from the day in the current issue of the Crediton Courier, on sale now!