Showcase Ottery

On Saturday 20^th July between 10am – 4pm, the Land of Canaan Park was a hive of activity as the community of Ottery St Mary came together in force for a special event organised by a small committee of independent volunteers in which various local companies showcased their services.

Gilbert Stephens Solicitors were impressed with the range of local businesses, charities, groups and organisations that occupied 50 plots with something to appeal to everyone over the course of the day. The day coincided with the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11, so Space was the theme of the day!

Stalls included Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue Ponies, Sarah’s Creations, Hospice care Magpies, the Rotary Club, Baby Boutique, Carnival Club Face Painting, Otter Garden Centre, Gilbert Stephens Solicitors, FORCE Cancer Research and many more.

The morning kicked off with the Ottery St Mary U8s football club, also sponsored by Gilbert Stephens Solicitors, taking centre stage as they encouraged visitors to participle in a game of ‘Beat the Goalie’. If that wasn’t enough activity, Ottery Taekwondo and Urban Hip Hop gave a demonstration in which many took part, including Jill Courtney, one of the organisers of Showcase Ottery and Dana Mulligan, Marketing Manager at Gilbert Stephens Solicitors, who impressed even the most technical of Taekwondo students in her duck outfit! Brass band music filled the air from the talented Ottery St Mary Silver Band. In addition to all of this the Rotary Club put on a charity duck race and as you will see Dana got involved in selling tickets in the duck outfit.

Throughout the day, the Ottery Carnival Committee hosted a BBQ and Courtney’s Cider Bar provided delicious refreshments. Coldharbour Farm were also selling food.

In anticipation of the hot weather we sponsored two marquees; one for the band and one for the bar. These marquees were greatly appreciated, providing some much needed shade on such a scorching summer’s day!

Terry Bastyan, Managing Partner at Gilbert Stephens Solicitors, played in the Ottery Silver Band and said “this was an exceptional day to celebrate everything the town of Ottery St Mary has to offer. This was its first year and it was admirable to see so much interest and support from the community. Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable time while recognising the work of the charities, groups and businesses within the town”.