There was piles of cake, raffle prizes galore and an early sighting of Father Christmas this weekend when the big man dropped in to Chudleigh Town Hall to pick up letters and pictures written by the town’s children.

The magical visit took place during the annual Cancer Lifeline South West Festive Fundraiser. The children prepared their letters at the Craft Table before popping them into the festive postbox. When Father Christmas arrived, he read the letters, chatted to the writers and their parents and handed out gifts. Particularly popular were the water pipes and the hall echoed with the sound of bird song for the rest of the afternoon.

And while the kids were busy, there was plenty for the grown-ups to do: browsing the craft stalls, sampling those home-made cakes, buying raffle tickets. Other VIPs dropping by during the event were Mayor of Chudleigh, Cllr Emma Hares and CLSW Patron and Former Exeter Chiefs and England rugby star, Don Armand, who between them drew all the winning tickets and gave out the prizes.

Chair of Trustees, Donna Cook said: “It was a wonderful event and thanks to the generosity of the stall holders; the townsfolk (especially the coffee morning regulars); our volunteers; the Chudfest committee and our VIP visitors, we raised enough money to sponsor a place on one of our Time To Retune retreats in the new year.”

Cancer Lifeline South West provides invaluable support to those at the end of cancer treatment, offering free ‘Time to Retune’ therapeutic breaks.