A COMMUNITY barbecue and murder mystery event has helped neighbours in Sutcombe come together and get to know one another.

On August bank holiday Monday, Helen Brookhouse invited her neighbours to join her with barbecues on their front lawns for all to participate. She set up a murder mystery with donations being collected for Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) Devon.

Although everything didn’t quite go to plan, Helen said overall the day had been a great success. She said: “My burgers were inedible as I cooked them for far too long! But the dog had fun with them. Lydia Farmer’s sausages were far more successful and Susan Ashdown provided cheese cake and carrot cake.

“The weather was both in our favour and not in our favour as many people were off out for the bank holiday, but the BBQ was great fun in spite of the murder mystery not quite working. It was still thoroughly enjoyable and all who participated had a good evening with neighbours.”

Helen hopes the event can become a more regular thing, helping tackle rural isolation. She added: “It was well worth doing and we’ll have to do it again, but with more food and a less elaborate plan for entertainment!”

Representatives of CPRE Devon attended on the day and were pleased to be supported by such a wonderful local event.