Chudleigh will be commemorating the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Great Fire of Chudleigh in style next year, thanks to a lottery grant of nearly £5,000. The Chudleigh History Group is planning an afternoon and evening celebration on Whit Sunday, May 27 2007, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the fire. 'Lord Clifford will open the day's celebrations,' said Alan Brunton, chairman of Chudleigh History Group. 'There will be sports for children under 11, a hawking display, seven-a-side fancy dress football, Morris dancing, craft stalls, a demonstration of 19th century cookery, demonstrations of the Spinning Jenny and a large marquee. 'All the schoolchildren will be given a book about the 1807 fire. In the evening there will be a big bonfire burning a scale replica of the town approximately 70ft long and eight to 12ft high. 'A company from Bodmin will work on the special effects – such as the exploding barrel of gunpowder. Finally there will be a grand firework display.' The 1807 fire destroyed two thirds of Chudleigh. It started in a baker's shop in what is now New Exeter Road, then known as Culver Lane. The fire spread quickly through the thatched roofs, destroying parts of Old Exeter Street and Wooding Street, until it reached the King's Arms, the main post-chaise establishment of the town.