EARLY in July, as lockdown restrictions eased, 12 picnic tables and parasols appeared in Crediton Town Square and immediately became a popular focal point, where people could meet safely with friends and family.

With live entertainment on Fridays and weekends, the Share in the Square initiative has been a huge success and helped to boost morale at a very difficult time.

The tables went into storage this week, to protect them over winter and allow Mid Devon District Council to do vital repairs to the surface of the square. But they will certainly return next year and plans are already being made for more live outdoor entertainment.

"We know many people were disappointed when the tables went into storage," said Rosemary Stephenson, Chair of Crediton Town Team, who led the Share in the Square initiative.

She continued: "But rest assured they will be back in the spring. We very much see this as a long-term project."

"The tables have really brought the town back to life," commented one local resident. "This has been a life-saver."

"It was such a simple idea, putting a few tables in the square," explained Rosemary. "But the impact has been way beyond our expectations, lifting the spirits of local residents and visitors, as well as increasing footfall in our shops and cafes."

The tables were chosen and placed carefully to be large enough for a family to share and to allow the appropriate distance between people.

Anyone could use them free-of-charge, bringing their own food and drinks, if required, or buying takeaway refreshments from the cafes and pub on the square.

To liven things up further Crediton Arts Centre organised live entertainment, initially at the weekends, but this was soon extended to Fridays as well. Local musicians eagerly volunteered to perform and other events followed.

Highlights of the entertainment programme included: Talented local musicians and bands playing a range of folk, classical and jazz music, including Pete Mathews, Ian Edgar, Phil Birch, the Moonshine Serenaders, Etchechuria, Dave Treadaway, the Triffles, Julian Wild, Tony Miller, the Briars, Pete Mason, Treehouse, The Saga Louts, Andrew Vaccari and Mark Mason, Anita Munson and Lisa Rowe, Spin 2, Moon Jazz House Band, Dave and Caroline Gooding, Alhambra, Whittall and Cookson, Yellabellies and the Colebrooke Singers.

Gramophone Rebellion - Exeter-based Richard Clarke delighting people with his 78 rpm records from the 1920s, 30s and 40s played on his 1928 wind-up gramophone player.

Poetic Licence - a witty show organised by local writer Ysella Sims with an impressive line-up of performance poets from across Devon, including Robert Graham, Jackie Juno, Tim King, Peter Cowlam and Shelley Szender.

Piano in the Square - a truly unique event organised by Paul Vincent, when a grand piano was moved from Crediton Congregational Church into the Town Square, just for one day, for an open air concert by local pianists of all ages.

"Fearless Jack" - the retelling of an Italian folk tale by local actors, directed by the Arts Centre’s Peter Hamilton and featuring a giant puppet.

Comedy Suits - stand-up and sketches from a bunch of local comedians.

CODS - songs from the shows by some of their most talented performers.

These events have not only put a smile on people’s faces at a difficult time; they have given musicians and performers a much-needed opportunity to practice their skills in front of an audience.

Jack Robson, from Crediton Arts Centre, who co-ordinated the entertainment, summed up his feelings: "I have been amazed and delighted at the support from our incredible local artistic community. From the very first week we did this, local musicians have come forward to play for free and make their contribution to our community."

Thanks go to all those volunteers who made Share in the Square happen, particularly Rod Brookes Hocking of Crediton Town Team for leading the project, the Rotary Club for providing stewards in the early weeks, Jack Robson for co-ordinating the events, the Chamber of Commerce, the Town and District Councils for their financial support.

The Town Team is also hugely grateful to the town square traders, including The Crediton Coffee Company, Ashtons, The Green House, Baobab Cafe and The Three Little Pigs, who all took part in regular meetings to ensure the scheme ran smoothly.

The traders each took responsibility for putting the parasols out every morning and taking them back in every evening.  Several of the parasols were damaged by high winds during the last four months, but were all repaired by the Rotary Club at no cost.