SATURDAY, July 4, may have been American Independence Day, but for a small group of people in Crediton it was also a memorable and important day.

The Mid Devon Good Afternoon Choir had their end of season concert, with their guest artists the Crediton Strummers, at the Congregational Church.

There are almost 40 Good Afternoon Choirs, stretching from Penzance to London and still increasing in numbers.

Meeting in the afternoon, the name of the choirs suggests a more elderly membership, and indeed this is the case. But the opportunity to sing and make music together, especially with a superb MD is too good to miss, hence the numerous choirs throughout the land.

The Mid Devon GAC is no exception.

Meeting for four years under the inspirational leadership of Jon Rawles, Saturday’s concert was particularly meaningful to the choir as it was the last event Jon would be leading.

The choir is certainly going to miss him, his many jokes, his unique comments, and his inspirational leadership have been a real joy over the past four years.

So this Saturday was particularly important to get it right for Jon. To give him a good send off so to speak.

Judging from the audience reaction after the concert the choir seemed to have achieved this ambition. Jon very much enjoyed his evening.

Guest artists for the concert with the Crediton Strummers, with their particular style and variety of music, mixed with a good deal of fun.

Their two sets ranged from Bob Dylan, to the Fisherman’s Friends, and even included a song particularly relevant to Crediton at the moment called the A377, sung with audience participation and a great deal of laughter.

At the end of the evening there was a retiring collection for FORCE, the Mid Devon GAC chosen charity this year.