CREDITON Palestine Group have been standing at St Lawrence Green, Crediton in a silent vigil for Palestine every Wednesday for a year.

In August 2025 a few of us began by meeting at a picnic table in the town square with a candle and a Palestinian flag. “What on earth could we do about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank?”

After a few huddled Wednesdays we decided to look outwards towards Crediton’s traffic, 5.30pm to 6pm at St Lawrence Green.

Numbers have varied from more than 20 to about 6. New people are welcome to hold a flag or a placard: Silent Vigil For Palestine.

Through the dark and cold of winter and the roaring temperatures of summer we devote a weekly half hour to be together remembering Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank, holding them in the Light and acknowledging motorists who honk or wave in support.

Occasionally we endure ugly, abusive shouting as we stand there and in the Courier on line. We maintain our group silence.

On September 9, 2026, as well as it being a year since we began our vigils, we shared our delight in Ed Milliband’s heartfelt speech, announcing changes in government policy towards Israel, in particular boycotting goods from illegal settlements in the West Bank.

We were also pleased with speeches from several Conservative MPs declaring their support. We have written to ask our MP Mel Stride whether he is among them.

There is a famous quote, attributed to the anthropologist Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Laura Conyngham

Old Tiverton Road

Crediton