MORE than 20 people gathered in the Council Chamber, Market Street, Crediton, last Saturday to discuss the Town Square. Hosted by the new Crediton Town Team - the group emerging from the Crediton Festival to look at new approaches to community regeneration - people taking part concluded that the square is being used for a steadily increasing range of events and uses. These included sport, music, theatre, relaxing with a cup of coffee, farmers' markets, town festival, boules, car boot sales, Army recruitment, Remembrance Day, Christmas lights, health awareness exhibitions and so on. The group decided that, if anything, this multifunctional usage needs nourishing and encouraging rather than undergoing any radical new plans which might limit its uses. Some ideas for additional uses included: • More live music • Further planting in the square – everyone loved the Incredible Edibles tubs • Outside consultation events – for the council, health etc to be really visible to the local people • Sculptures • A temporary dance floor for certain events • A skating rink for Christmas time • A poultry market The surface of the square was also discussed. Not everyone liked the gravelly finish, but councillor Liz Brookes Hocking explained that the square is subject to times of very heavy rain, and that the granular surface acts as a sponge, soaking up the rain which in turn is funnelled into special underground reservoirs. "This is essential", she said, "as the rain water would otherwise quickly overwhelm the storm drains and end up flooding nearby houses." The meeting discussed some physical improvements to the square including: • Upgrading the town square furniture to make it more welcoming for people to come and sit in the square • Buying equipment for the square to be used by smaller community groups, such as tables, chairs and parasols • Storage space around the square so that groups using the square can easily bring out their equipment • Shelter against the rain for bigger events. The meeting rejected any quick decision to proceed with a permanent covering, but instead discussed some innovative ideas about temporary coverings that might be light, easy to construct and able to shelter participants and audiences. They did not know what that might look like, or even if it is possible, but agreed to find out more. They decided that a lot more consultation is going to be needed rather than any quick decisions, so their follow up design day on September 27 has been postponed, and they are asking people to, instead, visit a special website to say what they think of the ideas so far, and to add any others.