THIS afternoon, Saturday, November 28, everyone is invited to stay at home and watch the Virtual Crediton Christmas Lights Switch-On.
Social distancing restrictions mean that there will sadly be no live events in Crediton’s Town Square as per normal, but there is plenty for people to watch on-line.
Everyone should watch on the Christmas in Crediton Facebook page, where the programme includes:
3.30pm - Sunflowers Nursery Singing Video
4pm - Hayward’s School Singing Video
4.30pm - Landscore Primary School Singing Video
5pm - Hattastic Competition Winners Announced by Crediton Town Crier Kevin Payne
5.30pm - Message from Father Christmas and Virtual Lights Switch-On.
The Christmas in Crediton Committee said: "Look out for our videos for the following events, stay at home and enjoy the beautiful lights this year from the comfort of your armchair!
"We know just how much people in the town enjoy the Christmas lights, please enjoy them this year safely and within guidelines. We really hope they make you smile."
The Committee added: "You may have noticed the absence of the Christmas trees through the High Street this year, well the good news with the lockdown changes mean that we will be able to put these up (just a little later than usual!)
"The wonderful volunteers at The Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface, along with our marvellous electrician Jo Ward, will be putting these up next weekend and lighting both these and the beautiful stars along the High Street.
"This year has been full of challenges for us all and we really hope that the familiarity of Christmas in the town has put a little festive spring in your step!
"A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers, without them none of this would be possible."
HATTASTIC
The Hattastic competition has involved children from across the Crediton area making or designing a new hat for Santa.
Some of the entries of the competition can now be seen in the Crediton High Street shop windows of the premises, formerly Kathea and also at the premises which was formerly Town and Country, by kind permission of the shop owners.
Chairman of the Christmas in Crediton committee, Town Councillor Liz Brookes-Hocking, said: "Thanks to everyone coming together each year we have been able to organise fantastic lighting displays.
SHOP LOCALLY
"We have co-ordinated the town Christmas lighting for many years to encourage people to shop locally for their Christmas presents each year.
"This is why we normally hold our Switch-On event at the end of November to give people time to visit our valued traders for all their present shopping.
"Last year we put up 130 trees and stars in the High Street and in other areas.
"Normally we have asked our traders for a contribution towards our lighting fund but thankfully, due to savings from paying for the parade and from the due diligence of the committee, and because of the generosity of a few sponsors, I am pleased to say traders taking part in our scheme will not this year be asked to make a contribution.
"We hope that this saving will be a big boost for our traders and help sustain them at this critical time."