by Alan Quick

CREDITON’S bumper bi-annual festival, CredFest 2017, which came to an end last weekend with a fantastic finale, has been branded a brilliant success.

There was a truly extraordinary line-up of events to see and take part in from June 3 to 24 - and the weather was exceptional with plenty of sunshine and pleasant evenings.

New and exciting activities, many free-of-charge, added to the programme and some events saw record crowds.

A parade of the glorious town flags from Newcombes Meadow led to the Town Square where the Town Band sounded them in before the grand opening of the event by the Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch, who was welcomed by the Town Crier.

Then followed the events and activities providing something for all.

Before it started, Rachel Vowles, Festival Director, explained: “CredFest spills out across Crediton, not only in well-known venues like the Buccaneer’s Bar, Moose Hall, Crediton Arts Centre and the Churches but it’s also popping up in less conventional spaces like Newcombes Meadow, on the town’s streets and, of course, in The Town Square.”

She was right, just some of the items being drama, dance, music, art, sport and cinema, and not forgetting the fabulous Food and Drink Festival.

MORE THAN 500 AT FILM SHOW

Highlights included a silent disco in the town square, sold out performances by Crediton Youth Theatre of the company’s new show “Hopping Mad” and the free open air screening of “Mamma Mia” in Newcombes Meadow, which attracted more than 500 people.

The festival also included Crediton Parish Church Exhibition with Flowers, Crediton Museum’s “Down on the Farm” exhibition, a swimming gala, a walking historical tour of Crediton, CODS “Kirton 1914-18” workshop, “Witch” by Circle of Spears, a dance drama and movement session for older people and an artist trail, where more than 40 local businesses and artists collaborated to showcase their work in Crediton High Street business premises and those on the Town Square.

There was an intergenerational dance taster day, a yoga session, crazy bowls, a Big Sing, badminton sessions, a talk on “The Royal Clarence Fire” by Dr Todd Gray, a jazz night, orchestra concert, a performance of “The Vagina Monologues” and an opportunity to see and hear how pupils at Landscore School are looking after the environment.

There was an origami workshop and adults were invited to take part in a contemporary dance class.

A Celebration of Books was held at Crediton Library, there was a Salsa Dance Party and Torbay Singers presented a concert in Crediton Parish Church.

There was also a Silent Movie Night, Comedy Night, Heritage Open Day at Crediton Parish Church, dance sessions, poetry, buskers, fun day, Jazz Band performance and an a-capella choir concert.

CELEBRATION FEELING

The flags adorned business premises adding to the feeling of celebration for the festival.

The final day of CredFest included the very popular Church Family Fun Day, Sandford Craft Fair and Busk It - all leading into the evening finale where local Crediton talent got to be the entertainment.

The finale of Credfest came to a superb conclusion with a fantastic performance by Crediton’s own fab four, “The Beatnxs”.

From the opening number, “I Want To Hold Your Hand” through to “Hey Jude”, the large audience in the town square loved every moment, singing along and dancing to each and every song.

There was even a wonderful mass participation of the twist during “Twist And Shout” towards the end of the evening.

“The Beatnxs” said they were overwhelmed with the reception they received and the enthusiasm of the crowd which continued throughout the whole set that included all the best known singles by the original fab four.

“The Beatnxs” say they are delighted to have been asked to return and play later in the year at Crediton’s Turning The Lights On Festival on Saturday, November 25 and are looking forward to performing again to an audience that clearly loved to join in and sing along with all the “Beatles” favourites.

VIBRANT

Rosemary Stephenson, on behalf of Crediton Town Team, organisers of CredFest, said: “So many people worked so hard to make the Festival such a brilliant success.

“The range and quality of events was quite extraordinary for a small town. Some visitors were so impressed they said they wanted to move to Crediton!

“We’re planning to gather feedback through a SurveyMonkey, but until that’s up and running, The Town Team would love to hear from ‘Courier’ readers what they thought about the Festival – the good bits and the things we could improve on.”

Laura Conyngham said on social media platform, “Facebook”: “Show me another town of 7,600 population which can put on a three-week long festival as vibrant as ours!”

Laura then listed some of the events she chose to be part of, or go to, concluding: “Bravo Crediton!”

Laura added that still to come is Rutter’s “Requiem” and Haydn’s “Maria Theresa Mass” on July 8 at Crediton Parish Church.

More than 100 singers have been busy rehearsing throughout the Festival period for the concert by the Crediton Festival Chorus under the direction of Tina Guthrie.

• What did you think about CredFest 2017? Share your views with fellow “Courier” readers by sending a letter, suitable for publication to: The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF. Alternatively email your letter to: [email protected] .