Yo-ho-ho! Smugglers galore swarmed the countryside around Whimple and in hot pursuit was a determined band of excise men. The barrel-laden smugglers tiptoed their way over hill and down dale in a bid to reach the New Fountain Inn with their contraband. But behind the skulduggery was a very good cause and the event raised £2,000 for the RNLI. The smugglers were dropped at various spots 16 miles from Whimple and had to use all their wiles to get back to the pub without being caught by the excise men. John Brewer, the landlord of the New Fountain Inn, devised the game which is becoming an annual event. About 150 took part and the photograph shows the Rip Van Whimple team who came first in the fancy dress section.

photograph by courtesy of Express & Echo, Exeter.