Exclusive by Alan Quick

CREDITON is gearing up for its bumper bi-annual festival, CredFest 2017, which will take place from Saturday, June 3 to Saturday, June 24.

A packed programme of events has been arranged and it includes some unusual and new and exciting activities, many free-of-charge.

Rachel Vowles, Festival Director, explained: “This June, CredFest spills out across Crediton, not only in well-known venues like the Buccaneers 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.

“Throughout CredFest there is a truly extraordinary line-up of events to see and take part including drama, dance, music, art, sport and cinema, and not forgetting the fabulous Food Festival on June 17 and 18. There really is something here for everyone.

“CredFest opens on June 3 with a parade of the glorious town flags from Newcombes Meadow to The Square where the Town Band will sound them in.

SILENT DISCO

“Then follows the Silent Disco where, through special headsets, you can listen to live techno DJ Ben Simmons or change channels to tune into more classic dance floor anthems.

“The fantastically talented Crediton Youth Theatre will be performing in Newcombes Meadow from June 8 to 10 with the company’s brand new show, “Hopping Mad”, and on Friday, June 16 come along to the FREE open air screening of “Mamma Mia” - bring your singing voices!

“On June 24, the last day of CredFest, the very popular Church Family Fun Day will be joined by Sandford Craft Fair and Busk It - all leading into the evening finale where local Crediton talent get to be the entertainment.”

The festival will include Crediton Parish Church Exhibition with Flowers, Crediton Museum “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 Crediton Photography Club exhibition, a dance drama and movement session for older people and an artist trail, where more than 40 local businesses and artists have collaborated to showcase their work in Crediton High Street business premises and those on the Town Square.

There will be an intergenerational dance taster day, a yoga session, crazy bowls, a Big Sing, free badminton session for adults, 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.

Adults will be invited to take part in a contemporary dance class, there will be a badminton festival for children and an origami workshop.

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

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

APPEAL FOR TALENT

Those who have a talent they would like to share are invited to take part in the finale of CredFest.

Budding stand up comedians, performance poets, singer song writers, storytellers, pianists, magicians, ska/punk/rock/metal/jazz bands are all being sought.

There will be two stages for the final night of the Festival on June 24, including an hour-long performance by Crediton’s own Beatles cover band “The Beatnxs”.

To apply to perform you don’t have to be hugely experienced but you do have to have a minimum of five minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes of really great entertainment to offer.

All ages, all levels of experience and all performance styles are welcome to apply to be considered for a slot.

If you would like to apply, need more information or have any questions then contact Rachel Vowles by emailing: [email protected] .

FLAG BEARERS

Flag Bearers are also wanted to take part in the opening event on June 3.

The organisers are looking for people of all ages from aged eight upwards, and representative of all parts of our community to be flag bearers at the opening parade.

The fabulous High Street flags, designed by local artist Charlotte Turner, are a glorious feature of the festival and enjoyed by all visitors to Crediton town centre and this year they will be celebrated formally at the opening of the festival.

The flags will be displayed in a very simple choreographed formation in Newcombes Meadow and then paraded up to the Town Square where they will be met by the Crediton Town Band, the Town Crier and the Mayor where the festival will be officially announced as open.

To take part you will need to be available for a rehearsal in Newcombes Meadow on the afternoon of Friday, June 2 (during half term) and on the afternoon of Saturday, June 3.

Please contact Rachel as above to register.

Motorists are advised that Market Street will be closed to traffic from 6am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18 for the Food and Drink Festival.

You can also find out more about CredFest by visiting the website: www.credfest.co.uk and liking the Festival on “Facebook/CredFest”.