THE Crediton Extinction Rebellion group held a Grief and Hope Walk and Vigil in Crediton on Friday, November 15.

The event began at Crediton Methodist Church before moving to the Town Square.

Paula Kovacs explained: “Having learned the words of Helen Yeoman’s protest song ‘We’re standing here’, (‘We’re standing here for this is an emergency - We’re standing here for all that we hold dear…’), a group of more than 40 climate campaigners from the Crediton area, processed slowly along the High Street accompanied by the solemn beating of a drum.

“Arriving at the Town Square, choir leader Alison Whittall conducted the group, and the poignant and powerful words rang out around the square.

“There followed a moving ritual in which a model of the earth was placed on the ground, and each member approached it and laid down a large leaf on which the name of a plant or animal species, already extinct due to the effects of climate change, had been written.

“Following a 15-minute silence, local Quaker and climate campaigner Laura Conyngham ended the gathering by quoting cultural anthropologist, Margaret Mead, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’

“It is hoped that the gathering will inspire more citizens of the Crediton area to come forward and support the Extinction Rebellion campaign, because, as the banners all declared, ‘Time is running out’.”