THANKS to the generosity of the many people who turned out to listen to Crediton Town Band playing carols on the Town Square in Crediton before Christmas, the band was able to donate £570 to Age Concern Crediton and District.

The cheque was handed over by Arthur Arscott, the only founder member of Crediton Town Band left in the town, others having moved away or time has taken its toll.

Arthur began playing when he was 13 at North Tawton when that town had a band and then with Crediton when that band was formed for the community play in the early 1980s. Arthur has been chairman, secretary and treasurer at various times.

He said North Tawton Band used always to play carols in the square there on Christmas morning.

The band folded in the 1970s and Arthur and his family moved away through work, but a group of players still go back to North Tawton to play carols in the square every year, with a draw from which the proceeds most years go to Devon Air Ambulance.

The £570 cheque was received by Jenny Berg, chairman of Age Concern Crediton, at the Lady Mills Centre off Deep Lane.

Thanking the band, Kevin Aish, Age Concern Crediton CEO, said funds were desperately needed because Covid had restricted so many events, the funds would also support continuation of the Centre and the Home Support Team who help keep people in their own homes and a degree of companionship.

The shop on the High Street is meant to be self-supporting but that has been drastically hit.

“Its staff are all volunteers and we have had an offer of support from Boniface Rotary whose members have kindly offered to provide a couple of hours work in the shop each week which supports our one paid member of staff at the shop,” said Kevin.

Anyone interested in helping should please ring 01363 775008 or email: [email protected] for more information.

Arthur added that the funds collected included a donation from The Three Little Pigs who usually ran a bar outside the pub but this year were not able to do so with staff off because of covid, and so made a donation.

Arthur thanked members of Crediton Boniface Rotary and the Lions Club of Crediton and District for their help and support on the evening.