WHEN the Garden of Remembrance was dedicated this year beside the path in the churchyard at Crediton Parish Church, the clock was not up on the tower, but the chimes still counted the time.

The faces of both clocks had been taken away from the church tower a few days before for repair and re-gilding, a job last done in 1990.

But although funds had been raised for that work, it has been found more needs doing.

Rector, Preb Nigel Guthrie, said: “Unfortunately, a report on the stone work at the back of the clocks suggests work has to be done before the clocks can go back.” It had been hoped they would be back in a month or so.

However, the time still rang out as Mr Guthrie dedicated the Garden at 10am.

Usually it is at 11am but that was when a three and a half hour bell ringing event would start.

After the dedication, people planted their small wooden crosses in the roped-off garden and more crosses were placed at the foot of headstones on the 13 war graves in the church yard.

These included Private Edward Adams of the 3rd Btn Canadian Infantry who had been born in Crediton and died on January 1, 1918 and Submariner Harry C Neiass who drowned outside Plymouth Sound on December 12, 1917, aged 31.

Wooden crosses can be obtained from the Royal British Legion collection points at the Morrison’s and Tesco supermarkets.

There will be a short service at the Crediton town and Crediton Hamlets war memorial on Union Road on Friday, November 11 at 11am and wreaths laid.

The main wreath laying ceremony will be at the war memorial on Sunday, November 13, after the 10.30am service in the parish church where there is an 11am silence before the big parade of the congregation to the war memorial.

Anyone who might wish to contribute to the parish church funds for the clock or other maintenance should contact Bill Jerman on 01363 772865.

Sue Read