KEEN amateur gardeners in Dulverton have given more than £1,200 to their local food bank following a successful Visit Dulverton ‘Secret Gardens’ event in June.

A dozen private gardens around the town were opened to visitors from across the area in an event entirely run by Dulverton volunteers.

Profits from admission fees and refreshments in the Town Hall totalled £1,250, which has now been presented to Moorland Food Bank.

The food bank was initially set up during the early days of Covid lockdowns to support Somerset communities across southern Exmoor, including Dulverton, Brushford, Bridgetown, Brompton Regis, Wheddon Cross, Winsford, Withypool, Exford, and others.

Somerset Community Foundation provided early funding, and the food bank now continues thanks to support from private individuals, Exmoor Rotary, groups of field sports enthusiasts, Exford Harvest Festival, Winsford Parochial Church Council, and the Co-Op, among other donors.

Founder Jenny Barker said: “We are very grateful to all those who are able to donate toward the food bank.

“It is a much-needed service and we need all the help we can get.

“We are also desperately looking for a new location for the Moorland Food Bank, as we can only stay in the portable unit at Dulverton Junior School until next spring, when it is to be handed back to Somerset Council. 

“Any ideas will be warmly welcomed, no rent or council tax to pay, please.”

Anybody who finds themselves in need of the services of Moorland Food Bank should apply via their local village agent Nikki Bonner.