HUNDREDS of people took part in this year’s Acts of Remembrance in Crediton on Sunday, November 8.

The parade makes its way to Crediton Town and Hamlets War Memorial, video Alan Quick

The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Steve Huxtable, lays the Crediton Town Council wreath. AQ 5143
The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Steve Huxtable, lays the Crediton Town Council wreath. AQ 5143 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
An Air Cadet from 2469 St Thomas Squadron lays a wreath. AQ 5261
An Air Cadet from 2469 St Thomas Squadron lays a wreath. AQ 5261 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Crediton Rector, the Rev Matthew Tregenza, led the Civic Service of Remembrance, Reconciliation and Resolve at Crediton Parish Church, which was attended by the Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Steve Huxtable, the Chair of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council, Cllr David Parker, with other civic guests with the Holy Cross Choir and Crediton Town Band.

Standard bearers lower their flags for the silence at Crediton, video Alan Quick

Paul Evans lays a wreath at Crediton Town and Hamlets War Memorial. AQ 5273
Paul Evans lays a wreath at Crediton Town and Hamlets War Memorial. AQ 5273 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Holy Cross Choir members lay a wreath. AQ 5274
Holy Cross Choir members lay a wreath. AQ 5274 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Readings were by the Mayor of Crediton, an Officer of the Crediton Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Address by Assistant Curate Rev Jeremy Rawlings.

Crediton Town Band member Mark Rottenbury played the bugle for the ceremony at the War Memorial. AQ 5136
Crediton Town Band member Mark Rottenbury played the bugle for the ceremony at the War Memorial. AQ 5136 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Holy Cross Choir members during the service. AQ 5038
Holy Cross Choir members during the service. AQ 5038 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Councillors before the start of the service at Crediton Parish Church. AQ 4973
Councillors before the start of the service at Crediton Parish Church. AQ 4973 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Hundreds of people attended the service which remembered those lost in two World Wars and other conflicts.

After the service the Parade formed up and proceeded to the Crediton Town and Hamlets War Memorial in Union Road.

Master of Ceremonies Shaun Pengelly of Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion, Rev Tregenza and Rev Rawlings with the church Crucifer. AQ 4978
Master of Ceremonies Shaun Pengelly of Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion, Rev Tregenza and Rev Rawlings with the church Crucifer. AQ 4978 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
2469 St Thomas Squadron of the Air Cadets took part in the Crediton Remembrance. AQ 5337
2469 St Thomas Squadron of the Air Cadets took part in the Crediton Remembrance. AQ 5337 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The short Act of Service and two minutes silence was led by Rev Tregenza, with service personnel and Crediton Town Band.

It was a very poignant occasion and everyone fell silent for the two minutes to remember those who gave their tomorrow for our today.

The Crediton Scouts who took part in the Crediton Act of Remembrance. AQ 5352
The Crediton Scouts who took part in the Crediton Act of Remembrance. AQ 5352 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
The Mayor of Crediton read one of the readings. AQ 4995
The Mayor of Crediton read one of the readings. AQ 4995 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The crowd of hundreds already gathered at the memorial included people of all ages.

Master of Ceremonies was Shaun Pengelly, Crediton Royal British Legion branch secretary and the day was planned and organised by Crediton Town Council, its Town Clerk Rachel Avery and Events Co-Ordinator, Tim Bland.

The parade leaving Crediton Parish Church. AQ 5055
The parade leaving Crediton Parish Church. AQ 5055 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
The parade leaving Crediton Parish Church. AQ 5055
The parade leaving Crediton Parish Church. AQ 5055 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

More than 30 wreaths and floral tributes were laid at the Memorial by representatives from various organisations, groups, councils, service organisations, youth organisations, cadets, the Conservatives, town band, church choir, town churches and organisations, school, fire service, police and others.

Representatives ready to lay wreaths at the war memorial. AQ 5118
Representatives ready to lay wreaths at the war memorial. AQ 5118 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
The public and part of the parade leaving the War Memorial. AQ 5310
The public and part of the parade leaving the War Memorial. AQ 5310 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Scouts lay a wreath. AQ 5236
Scouts lay a wreath. AQ 5236 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The Mayor of Crediton laid the Town Council wreath, Cllr Sandy Chenore the vice-chairman of Mid Devon District Council laid the wreath from MDDC and the chairman of Crediton Hamlets Council laid the Hamlets wreath.

The Chair of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council, Cllr David Parker and The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Steve Huxtable. AQ 5325
The Chair of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council, Cllr David Parker and The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Steve Huxtable. AQ 5325 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
The public and end of the parade leave Crediton Town and Hamlets War Memorial. AQ 5321
The public and end of the parade leave Crediton Town and Hamlets War Memorial. AQ 5321 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Karen Todd lays the Lions Club of Crediton wreath. AQ 5193
Karen Todd lays the Lions Club of Crediton wreath. AQ 5193 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Following the ceremony the parade moved off to Crediton’s Town Square where the salute was taken by The Mayor of Crediton and the Chairman of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council.

Laying a wreath at the Town and Hamlets War Memorial. AQ 5188
Laying a wreath at the Town and Hamlets War Memorial. AQ 5188 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
The Chair of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council, Cllr David Parker, laying the Hamlets wreath. AQ 5155
The Chair of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council, Cllr David Parker, laying the Hamlets wreath. AQ 5155 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Girl Guides ready to march to the War Memorial. AQ 5085
Girl Guides ready to march to the War Memorial. AQ 5085 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

They thanked all who took part and made the day possible.

Ready to march to the War Memorial. AQ 5081
Ready to march to the War Memorial. AQ 5081 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Crediton Army Cadets ready to march to the War Memorial. AQ 5069
Crediton Army Cadets ready to march to the War Memorial. AQ 5069 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Crediton Royal British Legions ready to march to the War Memorial. AQ 5061
Crediton Royal British Legions ready to march to the War Memorial. AQ 5061 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

It was a fitting way to honour and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.

Crediton Town Band playing in the church. AQ 5040
Crediton Town Band playing in the church. AQ 5040 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Assistant Curate Rev Jeremy Rawlings during his Address. AQ 5028
Assistant Curate Rev Jeremy Rawlings during his Address. AQ 5028 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
A Scout reading one of the prayers. AQ 5020
A Scout reading one of the prayers. AQ 5020 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)