Street fayre returns and delivers a sparkling festive community event

The Wellswood Christmas Street Fayre is back!
After an absence of over five years, Thursday saw many of the shops stay open for the first late shopping night the main Ilsham Road had seen since Covid.
A new-look Wellswood Community Partnership and steering group was keen to support local businesses and bring back popular events.
Partnership chairman Mike Cowdery said: “When I took over as chairman, I was told by several local residents that one of the things they were keen to see return was the Wellswood Christmas Street Fayre. As this supported the local businesses and the community at large, we decided to make it happen.”
Ilsham Road was lined with around 20 stalls from local charities and community interest companies.
The pitches were provided free by the partnership to provide a community atmosphere and give support to the organisations.
On one stall, Torbay community builders Tracey, Marianne and Nina, with a local volunteer, Lorraine Myrie, created over 50 sock snowman with local children as a free activity.
Other stalls included the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force Association and many other local charities.
The stage line-up featured popular local singer Sandy Sparkle and supported by Dave Evitts from Riviera FM, they hosted the evening, introducing local acts including, Ilsham School Choir, Harbour Bells, Ukrainian Singers, Angels and Mavericks singers and the Torbay Gilbert and Sullivan Society. 
Children also had the opportunity to have their photograph taken free with Father Christmas.
Professor Mark Paulton’s seaside Punch and Judy show was a success with the younger generation. For many children this was their first-time seeing Punch and Judy and they had to learn where to shout and join in.
Amanda Castle, partnership treasurer who volunteered as part of the small group who planned the fayre said: “It has been an experience. I have had to learn how to close a road, which is actually quite exciting and I had to learn how to complete the mountain of paperwork to put on an event. I have to thank Torbay Council’s Matt Redmond for all his help and support in guiding me through the process and SWISCo who sponsored the road signage and commercial waste bins.”
The event was tinged with some sadness as one of the small team of organisers, Robert Summers, passed away just a week before the event. He was a staunch supporter of the Wellswood community and would have been delighted at how well attended the fayre was.
Mayor Mark Spacagna declared the opening of the reimagined fair and said: “It was lovely to be part of such a fantastic event. To see the residents of Wellswood coming together with local traders, Ilsham School and St Matthias Church was extremely warming. Well done to Wellswood Community Partnership and all those involved.”
A team of (local) pirates put on a spectacular fire-eating display.
Jake Grinsill, head teacher of Ilsham Academy, said: “The party was a vibrant celebration of togetherness and opportunity.”
The partnership thanked all those who contributed to the event, including volunteer stewards.