FLYING THE FLAG FOR DEVON’S PEACEMAKER FESTIVAL (SPRING 2026)

 The Peace Flag, specially designed by Budleigh artist John Washington 

A peace-themed classical music concert attended by the Bishop of Exeter will be one of the high lights of East Budleigh’s first-ever Peacemaker Festival over the weekend of 15-17 May, when this specially designed flag featuring the iconic Dove of Peace will fly over All Saints Church. 

The event has been organised in honour of Roger Conant, born like Sir Walter Raleigh in the village but a generation later, in 1592. It coincides with the 400th anniversary celebrations this year in the American cities of Salem and Beverly, founded by Conant after he sailed with his family across the Atlantic to New England, a few years after the voyage of the Mayflower in 1620. 

 ‘Roger Conant is known as a peacemaker, who resolved a potentially bloody dispute over a fishing stage in New England,’ explained Festival organiser Maria Malinowska. ‘As the first governor of what is now Salem, he continued his peace-making between rival factions and established good relations with the indigenous population. We hope that you will agree that his activities provide a very appropriate message for today.’ 

 The concert and an address by the Bishop, the Right Reverend Mike Harrison, will take place in the church, where, just over 400 years ago, Roger Conant was baptised. Pre concert refreshments will be served in the Church Hall from 6.00 pm. 

 

The concert, starring Welsh classical guitarist Oliver Manning, seen here, will begin at 7.30 pm. 

 Oliver graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2023 with First-Class Honours studying under Helen Sanderson and John Mills. During his studies, Oliver won a selection of awards and competitions including the John Mills solo guitar competition, the Orpheus voice and guitar competition, and the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales award for music. He performs on a guitar built in 2024 by the Canadian luthier Evan Kingma. 

 The Peacemaker Festival will start on Friday 15 May with the Roger Conant Supper, featuring an American-themed buffet at 7.30 pm in East Budleigh Village Hall, with delicious hot and cold dishes to suit all tastes, and a Bar. The evening, arranged by the Roger Conant Club assisted by East Budleigh History Society, includes a show by ‘Red Suit Magic’, a member of the world-renowned Magic Circle. 

 Guests will have the option of dressing up for the evening with Colonial American/Pilgrim being the theme, in acknowledgement of the 400th anniversaries of Salem and Beverly. 

 

There will also be a raffle with prizes which include vouchers courtesy of Powderham and Sherborne Castles as well as Exmouth-based Stuart Line Cruises. The event will benefit the Ukrainian Freedom Company, for which East Budleigh resident Andrew Canning OBE has made four trips with items for civilians such as medical equipment. 

 Details of tickets for the concerts will be announced in due course. Tickets for the supper will cost £25 and will be available from East Budleigh Shop from early April onwards. Earlier bookings can be made by email to stanmroberts@gmail.com 

 On Saturday morning 16 May at 11.00 am there will be an historical walk around East Budleigh led by the Otter Valley Association, ending at the Sir Walter Raleigh public house for optional refreshments at lunchtime. 

 On Sunday afternoon at 3.00 pm there will be a Village Music concert featuring local musicians, followed by an Afternoon Tea hosted by All Saints at 4.30pm in the church hall. 

 The grandson of John Clark, one of the feoffees who gained self government for the East Devon town of Colyton during the reign of Henry VIII, Roger Conant came from a well known local family. One of his nephews, Dr John Conant, was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Another nephew, Richard Conant, was vicar of East Budleigh. In the US, Roger Conant has had many admirers. In 1867, the Rev Christopher T. Thayer, pastor of the First Parish Church in Beverly MA, even described him as having ‘the attitude and bearing of a Christian hero’ and as ‘the angel and patron-saint of this church and parish’! 

 Further fund-raising to support volunteers saving lives in Ukraine will take place later in the year with a concert in All Saints on Monday 21 September, World Peace Day. Mezzo-soprano Iryna Ilnytska, accompanied on the piano by Tim Laurence-Othen, will perform songs in Ukrainian.