Summer of Love party attracts a bumper turnout

Midweek Herald: Chardstock's 'hippie' landlord Dominic Dixon.Chardstock's 'hippie' landlord Dominic Dixon. (Image: Archant)

A Chardstock landlord was dubbed a real cool dude after handing over his pub for a hippie happening.

The Woodstock-style Summer of Love party was put together by the team behind the village’s annual late-summer Street Fayre to raise money for Hospiscare and Axminster-based counselling charity ARC.

It was run in memory of Ray Smith, a former vice-chairman of Street Fayre and local rock musician, who died of cancer in February. Both charities supported Mr Smith and his family.

Dominic Dixon, who runs The George Inn, handed over the pub’s courtyard, skittle alley and garden for the event, which is estimated to have raised well over £1,000 for the East Devon charities.

Mr Dixon even allowed his pub to be ‘wrapped in flowers’ for the day, cutting and hand-painting around 60 plywood daisies which were festooned from ropes around the inn.

More than 20 musicians from as far apart as Exeter and Norwich played free of charge for around 11 hours at the event, which summoned up the spirit of the iconic ’60s Woodstock festival.

Summer of Love organiser Mick Whitworth, whose own band, The Window Trees, played on Saturday, said: “It was hugely moving that so many musicians were prepared to give up their time for ARC and Hospiscare. The whole event really seemed to really strike a chord with our community – the place was packed from mid-afternoon, and people were digging deep to put cash into our collecting boxes.”

Lyme Bay Winery, Portlebay Popcorn and Luscombe Drinks provided free stock for the party.