REVIVING an old tradition, the newly named ‘Annual Mayor’s Community Show’ held in Launceston Town Hall on Saturday, September 14, was a complete success, raising more than £500 for a local charity.

This was the first time in almost 40 years an event of its kind has been held in the town and the demand was evident.

The mayor’s community show received 233 entries across the variety of categories on offer.

There was literally something for everyone with competitions in flower arranging, handicraft, fruit and vegetables, cookery and photography — and event a ‘men only’ competition.

The overall winner in the adult section was Jenny Worth who was presented with a trophy by the mayor Cllr David Gordon.

There was strong competition in the children’s classes too, with the overall winner being Alfie Treeby from the age eight to 11 section.

The event came to fruition after Ruth Maunders, from Launceston Tourist Information Centre (TIC), had a casual conversation with a member of the public who used to enter the Launceston Cottage Garden Society held in the town hall.

Ruth told the Post: “We were chatting and the person said it would be nice to see the event held again and I opened my big mouth and said ‘oh yes we will do that’. I then said to my colleague Lauren [Greene] ‘you’ll help me won’t you’ and it started from there.

“My husband did say to me I ought to put my brain in gear before I speak because it really was a lot of work, but we all agreed it was worth it in the end.

“It was a great success, we raised over £500 for Freddy’s Fund. It was well supported by the public and we were really pleased, everyone was very generous and the entries were really wonderful!”

Ruth said the event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the local community and the show’s ‘band of helpers’.

She said: “We must say thank you to the mayor and mayoress who were a great help. Also to all the exhibitors and judges, mainly for making the show happen because without them it wouldn’t have been the success it was.”

Ruth said the hope is to continue the show each year.

“We called it the Annual Mayor’s Community Show so that each year, no matter who the mayor is, we can donate to their chosen charity. We are going to have to do another one now because we have called it an ‘annual’ event so, we look forward to next year!”

The community show has been reinstated to benefit the mayor’s charity, whatever it may be. As current mayor of Launceston Cllr Dave Gordon’s chosen charity, Freddy’s Fund, was the focus of the inaugural event’s fundraising efforts.

Freddy’s Fund aims to raise £4,000 to provide two-year-old Freddy Jackson from Launceston with a specialised bed to support him as his needs constantly change.

Freddy and his twin brother Bobby suffered from twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). This caused an uneven blood flow between the twins, with Bobby receiving more nutrients and fluid.

Bobby, the recipient twin, grew too big whilst Freddy, the donor twin, grew too slowly.

The boys were born in May 2017 by caesarean but sadly Bobby was born sleeping.

Upon meeting Freddy and his parents Rebecca Jefferies and Andrew Jackson back in May, Cllr Gordon chose to create Freddy’s Fund.

Because Freddy was born in Derriford Hospital in Devon but lives in Cornwall no agreement has yet been reached as to which NHS governing body is responsible for supplying the equipment he needs.

Cllr Gordon said: “The show will be an annual event which will be held in aid of the mayor’s charity. We received 234 entries which was amazing for the first year, the event was slightly competitive, but very enjoyable, and I for one am looking forward to next year’s show.”