For once the weather was onside, with a wonderful, still night for the hundreds of children taking part in the lantern parade and for those soaking up the Christmas atmosphere at the late night shopping on Friday evening.

The Christmas Tree Festival at the parish church, which saw more than 1000 people through its doors in 2011, had even greater success this year, with more than 400 visitors on Friday night alone!  The church was illuminated by the magical glow of 54 different Christmas trees, which had been decorated individually by local groups, reflecting their organisation.

Saturday arrived with unseasonal sunshine and blue skies, which was ideal for families  enjoying the fairground rides, and free face painting by Heart Radio’s Angels. There was a Saturday Pannier market, a special South Molton Competition with great family prizes and a Vintage Fair in the Assembly rooms, complete with a pop-up tea room.  Retailers extended their opening hours, the town buzzed and people streamed into South Molton, to enjoy the delights buying wonderful, individual items in the one-off shops.

The Christmas Fatstock Show on Sunday continued its year-on-year growth and by mid morning the market was up to capacity! Main attractions included Combe Martin shepherd and author David Kennard and his famous sheep dog Mist – star of book and film.  Local celebrity Johnny Kingdom was also there, talking of his latest filming adventures and exhibiting his pictures, DVDs and books. 

Traditional crafts were strongly represented by wool spinners, a thatcher, hawking and wood turning.  There was a live demonstration of shoeing by a farrier, which drew a fascinated crowd.  And as you would expect animals were aplenty, with alpacas from Langaton Alpacas, a shire horse from Jonathon Waterer’s farm at Chittlehampton and an Exmoor pony. Some of the best sheep in the area were on show, with many different breeds exhibited. Meanwhile the traditional spirit of Christmas was kept alive by carol singing by the South Molton Choral Society and the children of Brayford Primary school, there was also seasonal food and drink available to try and buy.