By Sue Read

ALTHOUGH other towns may have lost their Chambers of Commerce, at Crediton it has kept going and is now being reinvented with a new committee.

At its annual meeting last week, Tara Conabeare (Evans News) was elected chairman, taking over from Chris Nicholl (Charlesworth Nicholl solicitors). Leigh Arthur (Crediton Pet Shop) was elected vice chairman.

Bruce Evans (Grape and Grain) was elected treasurer and David Oliver (Oliver’s Bakery) as secretary.

Chris Nicholl said she had been involved with Chamber since 1986 since when it has “waxed and waned”.

Work in which Chamber had previously been involved had included the Christmas lights, putting up brackets for the hanging baskets, lights and flags which meant numerous planning applications for Listed Building consent.

It had worked with the Campaign for the Heart of Crediton to achieve the town square. It had supported the Farmers’ Market. It had been vigourous in trying to improve air quality in the town and more.

She said that while other towns had lost their Chambers of Commerce, at Crediton it was “very much functioning and viable.”

For the town Traders Group, Mrs Conabeare said this had been set up to promote the High Street and the town.

It had been involved with other town groups such as working with Crediton Rugby Club towards promoting the Rugby World Cup, putting up the flags and, later, a rugby-themed competition.

Among the plans for the immediate future are to have a website, to work with the Lords Meadow traders and to bring the Chamber up-to-date. The Traders Group would be absorbed by Chamber.