by Sue Read and Alan Quick

CREDITON’S Christmas parade and Lights Switch On has been hailed a resounding success.

It saw about 2,000 people take part or watch the parade, everyone then taking part in two countdowns, the first to switch on lights around the Town Square and the second to switch on the lights on the big Christmas tree in the Square.

The Bishop of Crediton led the first countdown and was assisted by the four winning children from the fancy dress classes she had helped to judge in Crediton Congregational Church.

The second countdown was led by Father Christmas and he also helped to switch on the lights on the big Christmas tree.

Crediton High Street was closed to traffic to enable street entertainment to begin.

The theme was “Santa’s Toy Shop”.

There was a long queue for the rides on a Land Train which went up and down the High Street from outside the Council Offices in Market Street.

Entertainment in Crediton High Street in Jackson’s entrance included singing by Rado and music by Exeter Street Band.

Winkleigh Morris danced until one of the dancers unfortunately sustained an ankle injury.

Crediton Town Band played in the car park at Crediton Congregational Church.

The Children’s Fancy Dress competition took place at Crediton Congregational Church and there were dozens of entries, with some fantastic costumes.

Crediton Chamber of Commerce ran the competition, Tara Conabeare, chairman, also helping Bishop Sarah with the judging.

The winners, announced by the Town Crier, were Daisy (Minion), James (Jack in the Box), Lucy (A Christmas Present) and Erin (Silver Robot).

All the winners received prizes from Crediton Chamber of Commerce.

The Grand Parade, co-ordinated by Crediton Arts Centre, left St Lawrence Green at about 5.30pm and was led by the Land Train, with the Town Crier leading the way.

The winners of the Children’s Fancy Dress competition, the Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch and Mayoress, Mrs Natalia Letch and the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, as well as principal event sponsors rode in the Land Train to the Town Square.

The Grand Parade included musicians, lanterns made by children at workshops at Crediton Arts Centre, various groups from Crediton and district, Crediton Scouts and other organisations and individuals in Fancy Dress.

Lights on trees on shop fronts and businesses along the route in the town were switched on as the parade passed.

In addition, the cross-street decorations were lit.

Exeter Dynamites Majorette troupe also took part in the parade.

Crowds of people lined the High Street waving and cheering as the parade passed and free hats for children were given out by volunteers.

The Lights Switch On ceremony was a magical moment with everyone taking part in the countdown and as the tree lights came on, fireworks sprayed out from the top of each of the two historic granite pillars.

The band “Electric Spank” played to entertain everyone after the ceremony and everyone enjoyed food and drink available at stalls.

Many High Street shops and businesses stayed open late and there was a fire engine in attendance.

Many people dressed up and these included a snowman, elves and others, including shopkeepers.

Outside one shop artificial snow fell, much to the delight of children.

Event organiser, Clare Dalley, Crediton Town Clerk, said the event was a “resounding success”.

She added: “Thank you to everyone involved for all their brilliant work in making it such a fantastic event for the whole community to enjoy.

“Without everyone’s involvement it just would not happen.”

Cllr Frank Letch, the Mayor of Crediton, added: “What a night.

“Everything worked like clockwork as you would expect when the town clerk is our organiser.”

The event was organised by the Christmas in Crediton committee, a committee set up by Crediton Town Council.

The committee is made up of representatives from Crediton Town Council, Crediton Arts Centre, Boniface Rotary, local businesses and volunteers, who all pooled their energy and resources to create an event that is unique, inclusive and special for everyone in the town.

Sponsors included Crediton Dairy, Create storage, Crediton Chamber of Commerce, Hedgerow Print and Crediton Town Council.

The High Street was closed to traffic and a diversion was operated.