Exclusive by Alan Quick

FATHER Christmas arrived on a Harley Davidson motorbike and two dragons helped him and Crediton Mayoress, Mrs Natalia Letch, switch on this year’s festive lights in Crediton, watched by 2,000 people, today, Saturday, November 25.

There was a record number of competitors in the Children’s Fancy Dress competition, which was judged by Crediton Chamber of Commerce chairman, Mrs Tara Conabeare and soon-to-depart from the town, Crediton Rector, the Rev Preb Nigel Guthrie.

The winners they selected were both dressed as dragons, Alexi, aged four and Jo, aged nine years.

Prior to the Grand Lights Switch-On in Crediton’s Town Square, there was a programme of entertainment which included singing by the joint choirs from Hayward’s and Landscore Primary Schools, performances by Winkleigh Morris, Sandford Sings, Exeter Street Band and the Charles Academy of Dance.

There was much fun to be had watching the Chamber of Commerce Traders Race and hundreds of people enjoyed rides on the Land Train up and down Crediton High Street.

A parade was led by the Mayor of Crediton with the Children’s Fancy Dress competition winners down Market Street.

It included Crediton Scouts and their cart, the Exeter Street Band, all the fancy dress competitors and the Crediton Guides carrying illuminated arches. The Town Crier, Kevin Payne made the announcements.

WORLD FIRST

This year, there were Christmas images to hunt using augmented reality, which, it is believed, was a “world first” for such an occasion.

Christmassy themed images were placed around the town square, that when viewed via a handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet, came to life as Christmas animations.

People can still watch the videos but first need to download the required app to your device, which is called Zappar.

Roads in the area of the town square, including North Street, Market Street and others, as well as the Market Street car park were closed from 2pm to 7pm and there was no parking in the area.

All the lights on the trees adorning shop and business fronts in the town were switched on, as well as three cross-street decorations and those at St Lawrence Green.

The Christmas in Crediton committee is a sub-committee of Crediton Town Council, all volunteers, individuals and organisation representatives, 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 came from a number of businesses in Crediton.

Main sponsors are Crediton Dairy, Mole Avon Trading Ltd, Create Storage, Yellow Mouse Studios Ltd, Hedgerow Print and Crediton Chamber of Commerce. Many other businesses have made donations to the lights and project and individual helpers and volunteers helped to make the Christmas project possible.

Electricity from a "green" provider for the lights for the main tree during the Christmas period is generously provided by The Green House.

Volunteers from Crediton Chamber of Commerce and Crediton Tesco put up the lights around the town.

Crediton firefighters attended with a fire engine, and Father Christmas was driven into the square on the Harley Davidson motorbike by Crediton business, Moto Velo.

Motorists were pleased to be able to park for free all day at the High Street (St Saviour’s Way) car park throughout the day, courtesy of Mid Devon District Council.

The Rotary Clubs of Crediton, Lions Club of Crediton, Tesco Crediton staff and Crediton Air Cadets provided volunteer helpers to assist with the evening alongside volunteer individuals. Crediton Arts Centre was also actively involved in helping with the event. Electrical works, much of it free of charge,was kindly supplied by Jo Ward of Crediton.

The Children’s Fancy Dress competition prizes were generously donated by Crediton Tesco.

APPLAUSE

The ceremony to switch on the lights involved two countdowns, lights on trees around the square coming on after the first countdown, the star on the top of the tree and the main tree lights on the second countdown.

Fireworks also rose high into the sky when the lights came on and there was applause from the crowds watching.

Praise was given to all those involved by the Mayor, particularly praising chairman of the Christmas in Crediton committee, Mrs Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking and overall event manager, Crediton Town Clerk Mrs Clare Dalley.

After the lights were lit, the local band, The Beatnxs, performed a range of Beatles songs, which was greatly enjoyed.

Many town businesses stayed open late to welcome Christmas shoppers and those who had watched the proceedings.