ONE of the major fund-raising events of the year takes place next month for Dulverton Weir and Leat Conservation Trust.

The trust is putting on its annual garden party at the home of the charity’s patron Lord Dulverton on Wednesday, July 10.

Invitations for the wine and canapés evening come with a suggestion of a £10 donation per guest.

The trust is working to save the town’s medieval weir and leat on the River Barle from collapse and to restore them to good condition and conserve them for future generations.

They are recognised as ‘the best preserved medieval leat in England’, originally built using oak stake and boulder technology introduced by the Normans.

Trust chairman Philip Hull said: “This is an important grassroots community initiative and many local people are enthusiastically engaged and interested in its potential, as well as the new and important discoveries that are coming to light.”

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Rachel Gilmour recently visited the project and pledged her support.

Ms Gilmour, who is standing for the Tiverton and Minehead seat, said: “The trust has worked hard for many years to preserve and improve this historic asset.

“Few people know Dulverton was an industrial hub prior to the introduction of coal powered mills.

“The bottom end of the town was a hive of water mills used for corn, making paper, and even silk.

“It was a precursor of our modern renewable energy methods.

“It is important we learn from the past as we look to a low carbon future.”