YOUNG AND OLD ENCOURAGED TO DRESS UP

EVENING TO HAVE A SANTA’S TOY SHOP THEME

Exclusive by Alan Quick

CREDITON is beginning to look really festive with 100 trees on shop and business fronts now in place and others including in the Town Square, at St Lawrence Green and two-cross street decorations due to be put in place soon.

The trees and decorations are part of the Christmas in Crediton committee plans to brighten up the town and make it a special time for the people of the town and to encourage people to shop locally.

The Christmas in Crediton committee is a sub-committee formed by Crediton Town Council, which has held meetings regularly all year-long to plan the lights and town celebrations.

Crediton Town Council makes a financial contribution to the project and sponsorship also comes from a number of other businesses in Crediton.

Lead sponsor is Crediton Dairy and other principal sponsors are Create Storage, Hedgerow Print and Crediton Chamber of Commerce.

Many other businesses have made donations to the lights and project and individual helpers and volunteers have helped to make the Christmas project possible.

A huge Christmas tree will, again, be a feature in the Town Square and a Lights Switch On ceremony, preceded by a parade from the St Lawrence Green will take place on Saturday, November 26.

The running order for the event is:

4pm to 6pm - Crediton High Street closed to traffic to enable street entertainment to begin.

The High Street entertainment will include rides on a Land Train from 4pm to about 5.15pm. People can get on and off the train outside the Council Offices in Market Street.

Entertainment in Crediton High Street will run from 4pm to 5.30pm in Jackson’s Entrance and will include singing by Rado and music by Exeter Street Band.

Winkleigh Morris will dance from 4pm to 5pm and Crediton Traders will take part in a Race in the High Street at 5pm.

Crediton Town Band will play in the car park at Crediton Congregational Church from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

The Children’s Fancy Dress competition will take place at Crediton Congregational Church and all the children are asked to be there for judging at 4.45pm. After the judging, all the children will make their way to St Lawrence Green where the Grand Parade will begin to assemble from 5.10pm.

Exeter Dynamites Majorette troupe will parade from Crediton Town Square at about 5pm to St Lawrence Green to also be in the parade.

The Grand Parade, co-ordinated by Crediton Arts Centre, will leave St Lawrence Green at about 5.30pm and will be led by the Land Train, the winners of the Children’s Fancy Dress competition, the Town Crier, the Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch and Mayoress, Mrs Natalia Letch and the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally.

Bishop Sarah will be one of the Children’s Fancy Dress competition judges.

The Grand Parade will include musicians, lanterns made by children at workshops at Crediton Arts Centre, various groups from Crediton and district, Crediton Scouts and other organisations and individuals in Fancy Dress.

Lights on trees on shop fronts and businesses along the route in the town will be switched on as the parade passes, where possible, or beforehand. In addition, the cross-street decorations will be lit.

Father Christmas will also be attending and the sponsors of the event will also be in attendance.

The parade will arrive at Crediton Town Square at about 5.45pm to 5.55pm and the band “Electric Spank” will play to welcome the parade.

Upon arrival there will be the Lights Switch On Ceremony at about 6pm.

The tree, which will have been erected by the Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface, will be switched on following a countdown by everyone present.

Following the Lights Switch On, “Electric Spank” will play until about 8pm.

There will be refreshments available in the Square and many High Street shops and businesses will be staying open late.

There will be a fire engine and a police presence.

The streets are expected to be lined with people to watch the parade and attend the event in the Square.

ROAD CLOSURE

A road closure will be put in place to allow the parade to take place safely. This will see the A377 High Street and Union Road closed from 4pm to 6pm. Diversions will be signposted.

Roads in the area of the Town Square will be closed until, at least 7pm.

The committee is grateful to the Rotary Clubs of Crediton and other groups who will be providing marshals for the parade and assisting with the road closure.

The public is advised to please note the road closures.

More than 2,000 people are believed to have attended the Lights Switch On ceremony last year.

Weather permitting, it is hoped that Crediton will have a great evening on November 26, with even more sparkle than last year.

Don’t forget to enjoy some Christmas shopping during the evening, and also remember to wear something festive.