THE recent 16th annual Crediton Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival, was as always, a huge success and raised £8,469.56 for church funds.

A Grand Opening, held for the first time this year, took place at the church on Wednesday, December 5 when all the tree lights were officially switched on and visitors enjoyed listening to festive songs sung by children from Hayward’s Primary School Choir. Canon Ian Morter took the ceremony and blessed the festival.

Almost 4,000 visitors were welcomed to the church during the festival which was open from Thursday, December 6 to Sunday, December 9.

During the festival 77 stunning Christmas trees illuminated the church, each one uniquely decorated by local businesses, charities, groups, individuals, organisations and schools.

A number of volunteers and groups helped including the Scouts, Guides and Brownies

The winning children’s tree was, again, the 4th Crediton Brownies. The vote for the adult tree was very close with Royal British Legion Crediton branch winning just ahead of Bow WI and Friends of Newcombes Surgery.

There were bric-a-brac tables in the Boniface Centre, the Christmas Cracker Café was open for refreshments during the festival and a photography exhibition adorned the walls and featured the work of five local photographers.

The North Creedy Choral Society attracted an audience of about 60 on Saturday, December 8.

The "Crediton Courier" donated £55 to the church from the sale of "Those Were the

Days "books sold during the festival.

One of Britain’s best-loved sopranos, Dame Felicity Lott, performed in the Gala Concert at the church on the Sunday evening with Sebastian Wybrew on piano.

The guest speaker was Vice Admiral Duncan Potts CB. The Gala Concert raised £2,500 for the Holy Cross Crediton Campaign Roof appeal. In addition £530 was raised during the festival for the PCC.

Anyone wishing to reserve a tree for the 2019 festival should contact Stella, as soon as possible, by email at: [email protected] .

Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and the organisers expect demand to exceed the number of trees it is possible to place safely around the church.