TWENTY years ago, a group of Christians, concerned about the large number of people in Mid Devon with housing difficulties, decided to do something about it.

They formed CHAT, the Churches Housing Action Team, which gives free, impartial and confidential housing advice either face-to-face or by telephone, and advisers can act on a client’s behalf, where necessary.

There is also free support from its Tenancy Support workers and CHAT can support a person to keep their home and move on with their life.

Based in Tiverton, it supports the Tiverton Market Centre Youth Drop-In and holds two sessions every week at the Crediton council offices on Market Street.

The drop-in is from 2pm to 4.30pm on Tuesdays and Tenancy Support sessions are held on Fridays from 9.15am to 12.30pm.

CHAT’s work covers the whole of Mid Devon and up to half of its clients are from the Crediton area. Its services are entirely free to clients. Check out the website: www.chatmid.org or telephone 01884 255606.

Part of CHAT’s 20th anniversary celebrations was a visit to Crediton Farmers’ Market on Saturday, November 21 with “Take Note” Community Choir from Tiverton.

They shared the entertainment spot with Andrew Vaccari and Kyle Norgate who will be back to play at the December 5 market, which will incorporate the craft market.

The choir, founded in 2010, is funded by the Caroline Brewin Trust. Members come from a large area around Tiverton. The choir meet every Monday in Tiverton with the emphasis on fun and a repertoire from Gershwin to Queen, folk songs to show songs. Musical director is Katy Baker.

The choir delighted the shoppers at the market at Crediton, all enjoying the sunshine but not the sneaky, chilly wind.

SLOES FOR THE GIN

Showing off their latest award, Lori Reich was proud to display the certificate for Champion Savoury Preserve from Taste of the West this year.

This was for their Bread and Butter Pickle, described by the judges as very good “a different product, well executed and fresh with brilliant balance between vinegar and sugar. It is just a “no-nonsense pickle” which Lori said had been adapted from her Mum’s recipe.

Lori’s jams, jellies and pickles are based on their own produce but some, such as the cranberry, have to be bought in.

She makes a Very Merry Cranberry sauce that, she says, goes just as well with cheese as with any meat. “If you haven’t finished it by the end of your meal, pour the rest over the ice cream,” she suggests.

She was also selling packs of sloes for people to make sloe gin, or whatever else they may wish.

Another regular stallholder, Dave Johnson of Norsworthy Dairy Goats who makes prize-winning cheese, has quails eggs from his wife’s aviary at every market.

ALPACA STALL

A new stallholder at the November market was Colin Ottery with Colin’s Alpaca Meat.

Through the summer Colin is away shearing alpaca through Europe. He has been shearing them for around 10 years.

Also a first class butcher, Colin realised that a way to ensure the quality of the breed was to sell the meat.

Passionate about the animal, he says there used to be 4,000 alpaca in this country. Now there are nearer 50,000. “To keep the quality of the fleece, there needs to be natural selection which means a meat market,” he says.

He believes he is the only butcher to sell the meat at farmers’ markets - as well as Crediton he attends markets at Cullompton and Taunton.

He sells steaks, sausages, burgers, meat balls.

Sue Read