Exclusive by Alan Quick

THE Mayor of Crediton thanked, on behalf of Crediton Town Council, the many people, charities and organisations that help make Crediton the town it is today at a reception held at the Boniface Centre this week.

More than 160 people attended the event, which Cllr Frank Letch said was a great way to thank the individuals, charities and organisations who make Crediton such a great town.

He added that it was a great opportunity for people to meet and talk to each other and spoke of successes during the last year, including the Christmas in Crediton event.

He thanked Crediton Arts Centre, the Town Team, the town’s Rotary Club’s and named Roger Pennington and Jo Ward, particularly.

He thanked the councillors for their support and the council staff, town clerk Mrs Clare Dalley and Miss Emma Lucas for their hard work.

He also thanked the town crier, Kevin Payne, who introduced him and welcomed everyone to the reception and also to his cadet, Abi Sansom.

On behalf of the town council, Cllr Letch presented cheques to some town organisations, which were collected by representatives present.

Recipient organisations were: Tiverton and District Community Transport Association (£1,000), Crediton Arts Centre (£1,000), Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon CAB (£2,000), Crediton International Social and Cultural Organisation (£500), Devon Senior Voice (£500), Crediton Area History and Museum Society (£1,000), Crediton Town Band (£500), Journey Therapeutic Counselling Service (£250), St Boniface Concert Society (£200), Crediton Parish Church (£160) (£80 to the annual Flower Festival, £80 to annual Christmas Tree Festival), Tarka Rail Association (£50), Age Concern Crediton and District (£1,000), Crediton Congregational Church – Music Makers (£200), Involve (£500), Crediton Town Team (£1,000), CHAT (£1,500), Crediton Arts Centre: Music Market (£1,000), Shakespeare in the Square (£1,000), Crediton Food and Drink Festival 2016 (£1,000), Crediton Community Bookshop (£200) and Boniface Trail Association (£500).

THREE AWARDS

Three top awards were presented during the evening.

Recognised with the award of a Crediton Town Council plate for their service to the town were Bert Jewell, John Heal and Yvonne Pope.

They Mayor said Mr Jewell shares his gardening expertise with the entire community, is a Judge for Floral Crediton, completes voluntary work within the town such as looking after the flower towers on the Town Square, several different planting schemes and undertakes weed spraying.

He said he is a member of Crediton Parish Church and also gives his time freely to provide numerous talks on gardening.

He said Mr Heal was born and educated in Crediton and has become a mine of information for the town.

He explained: “In 2009 he was a founder of the present town Museum and Heritage Centre.

“He is presently the Museum’s much valued archivist.

“His books include ‘The Crediton Workhouses’ and the very popular publication ‘The Book of Crediton – a Celebration of Kirton and Kirtonians’.”

He added that John has been a member of the local Bowling Club for the past 10 years, and was always friendly and welcoming.

He said Yvonne Pope had done so much for the Access Group and for the town and many organisations and praised her for her work.

JAMIE FLEMING AWARD

The presentation of the Jamie Fleming Award then took place.

Mr Letch introduced former five-times town mayor Mrs Gillian Ponsford, who explained that the Jamie Fleming Memorial Award, in memory of Jamie Fleming, was for a young person who had done something outstanding.

Lance Corporal Jamie Fleming, from Spinning Path Gardens, Crediton, spent four-and-a-half years in the Army, in the Royal Signals and had a distinguished career but tragically died following a road accident.

Jamie’s parents, Stewart and Alison Fleming presented the award to Cadet Warrant Officer Matthew Cordwent joined the Crediton detachment of the Air Training Corps some four-and-a-half-years ago.

During that time he has proved himself to be a most capable and enterprising young man, having recently been appointed as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for Devon and also gaining his Gold Level Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well as a BTEC in Teamwork and Personal Development.

Mrs Ponsford, reading a report from Flt Lt Chris Myers, the Officer Commanding the detachment, said: “His attitude towards both the squadron and Devon and Somerset Wing is outstanding, and he has regularly represented the squadron in Wing Swimming and Athletics competitions.

“His attendance is impeccable, sporting a 100 per cent attendance at Wing and Squadron formal parades, such as Armed Forces Day, Battle of Britain and Remembrance. He has an equally impressive 99 per cent attendance at normal squadron parade nights and activities, despite living some 18 miles from the unit HQ.

“Matthew has also been attending, on a regular basis, our detachment in Crediton, assisting staff and cadets to develop the unit into a creditable entity in its own right.

“CWO Cordwent is an enthusiastic and mature cadet who is very committed to the Air Cadet Organisation, always participating in local fund-raising for both the squadron, the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Forces Association.

“He also regularly participates in local community events for such organisations as the RSPCA, Age Concern and the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary.”

The Bishop of Crediton, Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, spoke and thanked everyone for all they do for the community.

She then offered thanks for the food before everyone tucked in. The food was highly praised and was provided by David Oliver of Oliver’s Bakery of Crediton.