CREDITON Area History and Museum Society has just published the latest in its line of booklets in its Crediton History Series.

Entitled “Crediton Through the Ages” it is a brief look at the history of Crediton from its earliest beginnings at the east end of the town.

The growth of the woollen trade in the middle ages led to expansion in the west with the market in the centre of the street which is why the High Street is so wide today.

The booklet covers some of the main happenings in the town such as the Prayer Book Rebellion, the Civil War and the Great Fire of 1743.

The Crediton Improvement Act of 1836 led to more building in the town, a new market place and extra roads being cut through. New industries developed in the 19th and 20th centuries and the town continues to thrive today.

The booklet – sponsored by the Crediton Chamber of Commerce and priced at £4 (£5 by post) – is being launched at the Society’s November coffee morning in the Museum on Saturday, November 25, when author and immediate past chairman, Sandra Cooper will be signing copies.

Thereafter the booklet will be available in the Crediton Community Bookshop and in the museum when it re-opens after the winter break.

Alan Quick