The people of Crediton turned out in force - estimated at more than 2,000 - to enjoy the biggest-family friendly event the town has ever seen - and what a great atmosphere there was, too!

The Christmas in Crediton committee's Victorian Parade saw more than 300 people in the parade itself watched by more than 1,000 people in Crediton High Street and an estimated 700 people waiting in the Town Square for the parade to arrive before the grand Light Switch On ceremony.

Preceding this was the children's competition. The competition was for primary school-aged children who were asked to complete challenges in shop and business premises. These were Victorian-themed or fun games and once the challenge had been completed, the child whose card was selected from the completed cards would switch on the lights on the 30-foot Christmas Tree in the Town Square.

The children were required to visit and complete games at Helmores Estate Agents, who were principal sponsors of the Christmas in Crediton festivities this year. Other businesses the children had to visit were Crediton Pet Shop, Evans Newsagents, Bonheur, Crediton Coffee Company, Groomed to Pawfection, Mole Avon Town and Countrywear, Boka, In Stitches and Olivia James.

Charlotte Blake (5) completed all the games and it was her game card selected from the entries by Loren Eginton of Helmores.

Fancy dress competition winners were brother and sister Luca and Lydia Saunders, aged 10 and seven respectively.

Crediton High Street was closed to traffic by 7pm and it was shortly after that the parade left St Lawrence Green to make its way down through the town.

Those taking part in the parade included groups, individuals, people carrying flags, snowflakes and lanterns.

Many were dressed in costume and a walking band played and headed the parade.

VICTORIA

Following the band was the huge willow structure of Queen Victoria, young people carrying the lanterns they had made and flags made by town organisations, drummers and Brownies.

Crediton Scouts restored a 60-year-old cart and in this sat a very jolly Father Christmas. The cart was pulled by scouts dressed as reindeer and elves.

As the parade made its way down the road, in perfect weather and taking up the whole of the highway, the lights on Christmas trees on shop and business fronts and the cross-street decorations were switched on, adding to the atmosphere.

Playing swing and soul to welcome the parade down North Street and into the Town Square was the band "Electric Spank".

Master of ceremonies, Richard Ward, welcomed everyone and it was some time before everyone made it into the packed Town Square, where everyone waited with anticipation.

There were some stalls selling refreshments and Crediton Dairy, which has also sponsored Christmas in Crediton, offered free samples of their delicious milk drinks.

Gilbert Stephens offered free mince pies and drinks and there was a fire engine, jacket potatoes, a food stall and bar.

The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch, accompanied by the Mayoress, his wife, Natalia, looked resplendent in costume and Mr Letch made a welcome speech before the Light Switch On.

Charlotte did a grand job and for her, the lights came on at the first attempt, unlike last year's Switch On ceremony, where the lights did not come on until the third attempt.

FOR THE FULL STORY AND MORE PICTURES SEE ISSUE 1010