Residents from Teignbridge joined more than 700,000 people marching for a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal in London last Saturday, October 20.

The residents joined one of the eight Devon for Europe coaches leaving from across the county early in the morning. Others drove or caught trains and public coaches to the capital.

One of the oldest marchers from South Devon was war veteran, 96-year-old Brigadier Stephen Goodall.

He said: ‘I may now be an old man but, like the soldier I once was, I am ready to march again for a better future.’

Chris Bray, of the Devon for Europe, said ‘Marchers were of all ages and political persuasions, but they all shared a deep sense of unease at the route the Government has taken the country on and a sense of dismay at the lies that were told the people of the country about Brexit. And, most of all, a great sorrow that a once great country would, if a People’s Vote wasn’t achieved, be smaller, poorer and lacking in opportunities for its young people.’

Chris said there were many pointed, but often humorous, home made posters, including several inspired by artist Banksy’s latest shredding stunt and others portraying the leaders of leave as either clowns, jokers or liars.

Cathy King, from Bovey Tracey, was marching on the day.

She said: ‘We demand a say on our future. The decision is too important to leave to politicians acting in narrow party interest.’

Anne-Marie Tremaine, from Kingskerswell added: ‘I’ve never felt stronger in my life about losing my European citizenship! We are all giving away our future membership of a great community for the sake of an unsubstantiated campaign to leave in 2016.’

Only the front of the march could cram into Parliament Square to listen to speeches from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan; Business leader Deborah Meaden; and TV host and cook, Delia Smith. All spoke powerfully in support of a People’s Vote.

The majority of Devon marchers got no further than Trafalgar Square and missed Totnes’ Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston saying Brexit was like ‘the stuff of nightmares’. The former GP said it was like someone being rolled into an operating theatre and told the surgery they were having was changing massively. Then, as they said they wished to change their mind, they were told that someone had found a consent form from two years ago.

Alex Pilkington, chair of Devon for Europe, praised the numbers of supporters who had attended from Devon.

She said: ‘People from across Devon made the effort to travel to the People’s Vote March for the Future, to ensure there was a strong Devon voice demanding that democracy is upheld.

‘They booked places on coaches organised by Devon for Europe, they travelled by train and by car. We thank every one of them for helping make this march one of the biggest this country has ever seen.’