MORE than 100 people attended Crediton Town Team’s re-enactment of “The Story of St Boniface” in Newcombes Meadow on Sunday, June 5, including the Right Reverend Mark O’Toole, Bishop of Plymouth.

The enthusiastic audience was treated to a 20-minute interpretation of the life of St Boniface, who was born in Crediton and has been described by eminent historians as “the greatest ever Englishman” for his religious work and administrative genius.

Against a backdrop of translucent panels inspired by the stained glass windows in Crediton Parish Church and designed by local artist, Charlotte Turner, “The Story of St Boniface” was directed and performed by former Associate Director of the Exeter Northcott Theatre, Rachel Vowles, and others.

The play covered St Boniface’s formative years in Crediton, his monastic education, missionary work and eventual martyrdom at the hands of Fresian bandits in 754AD.

The re-enactment ended with the dramatic telling of how Boniface chopped down Thor’s Oak, worshipped by pagan tribes, and replaced it with the Christian symbol of the fir tree, later to become the Christmas tree.

A further performance will take place during Crediton Food Festival, which runs this week (Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19) in Crediton Town Square.  

Mid Devon District Council has agreed to provide free car parking in the St Saviour’s Way car park from 8am to 6pm on the Saturday of the Festival.

“The Story of St. Boniface” followed a guided walk of the parts of Crediton closely associated with St Boniface which was organised by Judy Tucker and led by distinguished local historian Judi Binks.

Crediton Town Team is already beginning to plan events for St Boniface Day 2017 and is looking for more people to become involved in designing next year’s activities.

Anyone interested in finding out more, should please contact Paul Tucker on telephone 07967 179 666.