‘It’s an ill wind’ is an old saying but it certainly applied to last weekend when storm Arwen did its best to spoil our fun.

Nevertheless we enjoyed a great community event on Friday evening when we began the Dawlish countdown to Christmas with lantern parades, brass bands, children’s choirs, hot chocolate and so on.

The surprise event was when the heavens opened and hail and torrential rain poured down! But Dawlish folk are made of stern stuff and re-emerged to count down to the switching on of the Christmas lights, when the Brook and The Strand lit up and the lovely Christmas tree and illuminated Nativity scene on the Bandstand were revealed.

Although the Saturday market and entertainment had to be cancelled, Sunday brought out the crowds to enjoy the sunshine and the huge variety of stalls on The Strand and lots of free entertainment.

There was a lovely atmosphere and several people stopped to tell me what a great place Dawlish is.

Just what we already know but it is nice to hear isn’t it?