CREDITON is beginning to look really festive with more than 80 trees on shop and business fronts and two-cross street decorations already in place – additional lights also being placed in Crediton’s Town Square.

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.

The committee is grateful to lead sponsors, Crediton Chamber of Commerce and Crediton Dairy, as well as other principal sponsors, Graphic plc, Create Storage, Hedgerow Print, Crediton Town Council, Crediton Traders Association and Shakspeare Editorial.

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 Switch On ceremony, preceded by a parade from the St Lawrence Green will take place on Friday, November 27.

The running order for the evening is: 7pm Opening of the Town Square by the Town Crier, Live Music from Skaper until 9pm. Also at 7pm, High Street entertainment begins and will include Crediton Town Band, the Great Western Morris dancers and a dance group from Charles Academy of Dance.

At 7pm, children are invited to enter the Fancy Dress Competition, which has a Fairy Tale theme. Registration will be in the Methodist Church Hall and the judging will then take place outside Redvers House in Union Road.

WINNER WILL SWITCH ON LIGHTS

Dozens of children will take part in the competition and the winner selected will perform the official Light Switch On later in the Town Square.

Children, once judging has been completed, will join those gathered at St Lawrence Green for the parade.

Everyone is invited to gather for the parade from 7.30pm and it will move off down the High Street at about 7.45pm.

The parade will include groups, individuals, people carrying flags, snowflakes and lanterns. A walking band will play for the parade, as well as the morris dancers, Town Crier, Mayor and Mayoress of Crediton, a Pied Piper and rats, Crediton Scouts, Charles Academy of Dance, Tinkerbell, lots of children, adults and local groups of people.

Lanterns and Snowflakes, of tissue and willow, will be carried in the parade, thanks to Crediton Arts Centre.

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

Most of the town’s shops and businesses will be staying open for Late Night Shopping during the evening and the streets are expected to be lined with people to watch the parade.

In the square there will be a big photo taken once the parade arrives in the Town Square at about 8.10pm.

There will be music, presentations, the grand Switch On of the lights on the Town Christmas tree after the parade’s arrival and a visit by Father Christmas.

Last year there was much excitement and anticipation as the countdown was made for the light switch on.

Refreshments will be available from food and drink stalls in and around the Town Square.

There will also be a fire engine and police presence.

ROAD CLOSURE

A road closure will be put in place to allow the parade to take place safely. This will see the road closed from 7pm to 9pm.

Diversions will be signposted.

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 Light Switch On ceremony last year.

Weather permitting, it is hoped that Crediton will have a great evening on November 27, with even more sparkle than last year.

Don’t forget, make sure you use the evening to start, or finish(?), your Christmas shopping, too! Alan Quick