THE Crediton Tesco store at Wellparks has some community events planned this year which will need some co-ordination with local groups linked to the type of events planned.

The Crediton retailer, which is hoping to collect toys and books for local youth clubs and pre-schools, is planning a garden and produce show with local gardening and allotment groups and will also be repeating successful events held in previous years.

The stores Community Champion, Andrew Drayton, is planning to deliver more events this year than ever before and hopes that the local community groups will join in to help the store’s staff make it successful.

Andrew said: “Every year we have been able to build on what we have done before, whether that’s attending more events within the Crediton district, or hosting events in our car park for the benefit of the community.

"This year we have a couple of things planned that we’ve never done before and hope to work with the relevant community groups to make them happen.

"These will be in addition to events that we have been asked to repeat due to their popularity when we’ve done them previously.”

CAR BOOT SALES

This will be the sixth year that the popular car boot sales return to the Crediton Superstore.

Due to the space having to be limited for the sales, sellers have always been asked to book in advance for them.

With changeable weather and last minute pull outs the Car Boot sales often don’t fill up completely so a different approach is being taken for the first two car boot sales planned for this year.

Andrew explained: “Whilst they are always popular, indeed I’ve already had more than a few calls about dates, they are very rarely full right up, so this year I thought I’d trial a couple of them where people don’t have to book to come down. They can just decide on the day if they want to join in.”

He continued: “Obviously we will need to see how this evolves, and the good thing is, if it doesn’t work then we can just go back to the booking method that we’ve always used.”

The Car Boot sales are held once a month from March to October, (with a mini break in August), and in the past six years have raised more than £8,000 for charities and to help Tesco deliver local community work.

Andrew finished with this plea to those who may come down, adding “one of the aspects of the new format is that we, obviously, won’t know in advance who, or how many, are attending so in order that our customers are not disrupted I am asking sellers - please do not block parking spaces by queuing across them. Use a normal parking space if you arrive early and wait until the Car Boot area is opened.”

The Car Boot Sales run from 11am until 3pm, (although may end earlier dependant on how busy it is) and for both March and April no booking in advance is required.

The dates, all of which are Sundays for this year are: March 19 - No Booking Required - Sellers to arrive between 10.15am and 10.30am please; April 23 - No Booking Required - Sellers to arrive between 10.15am and 10.30am please; May 14 - Booking Date, if required, TBA; June 18 - Booking Date, if required, TBA; July 16 - Booking Date, if required, TBA; September 17 - Booking Date, if required, TBA; October 8 - Booking Date, if required, TBA.

Andrew finished by saying: “I hope that the new format works and the car boot sales continue to be as successful as they’ve been in the past. They provide extra funding for the community work that we do so any improvements will benefit the local community in the long run.”

TOY AND BOOK COLLECTION

As everybody gets around to the annual task of spring cleaning, Crediton Tesco is looking to help local youth clubs, toddler groups and pre-schools by having a collection of toys and books that are no longer required but can be distributed back into those essential community groups.

Andrew explained: “I was contacted at the end of last year by a new Youth Club being set up in a local village and were asking for some help. I was able to provide some books for them but, in discussion with the group, we hit on the idea of trying to help as many groups as we can with the Crediton and District area.

"I had my teenage years in a small Cornish town and know that Youth Clubs are an essential outlet for young people who may not have many other places to go, or things to do.

"I have also run a local toddler group and understand the brilliant social aspect that they provide for parents, carers and, obviously, the children.”

The idea would be to hold a three-day collection, on a date to be decided, where Tesco customers can donate appropriate toys and books which can then be divided up amongst those that have helped and/or requested.

Andrew continued: “I would like to tie the event to a couple of days where we can bag pack as well so that we are able to provide some funds, as well as play items and reading material.”

If you run, volunteer at, or know of a group that provides a social meeting point for it’s local children, (or are planning to set one up), and would like to help or benefit from this planned event then please contact Andrew Drayton via email: [email protected] and put YOUTH COLLECTION in the subject box.

Andrew finished by adding: “I think this is a great opportunity for local groups. Funding for new play equipment, books etc can deliver a great strain on a small organisations finances and so I’m hoping that we can provide as much as possible to the groups that help our local children.”

GARDEN AND PRODUCE SHOW

In September the store is hoping to hold an event to bring together all of the "green fingered" fraternity from around the District with a Garden and Produce Show in its car park.

The idea is to invite gardening and allotment groups that are based in and around the town to go down to the store and show off the fruits, (and vegetables and plants!), of their labours.

Andrew is very keen to get this plan off the ground enthusing: “I was invited to help out at the Copplestone Produce Show last year and was blown away by how many people attended and the quantity and quality of the produce and flowers on display.

"I came away from it thinking that, "if that’s the interest in just one village!" and thought it would be a great event to invite as many local gardening, allotment and any other related interest groups to come and show what they can do to a wider audience.”

Not being an expert in this field Andrew is hoping that by having lots of local groups show an interest they can help him shape what the show should look like as well as what it should contain, in terms of varieties, quantities etc.

It is also hoped that related businesses from the area will come down to the show and offer an array of items and advice to the general public.

Andrew continued: “There are many variables that look like they are coming into play this year - Weather extremes, the continuation of the Brexit debate, rising costs of food and fuel etc and with this in mind I wanted to show people, with the help of those that really know what they are talking about, how easy it is to grow your own produce on a scale ranging from very small to as large as you can handle.

"Sustainability, and healthy eating are important aspects of how Tesco operates and it doesn’t get more sustainable and healthier than walking out into your back garden and picking your own fruit and/or veg ready for the family meal that evening does it?”

The show is planned for September this year and Andrew would like as many people from gardening clubs, allotment associations etc to get in contact with him so that the show can start to be put together.

If you or anyone you know is a member of such a group, please contact Andrew Drayton by emailing: [email protected] , putting PRODUCE SHOW in the subject box.

In addition, the Lavish Life car club and Tesco will be holding another Charity Car Show in the store’s car park on Sunday, April 2.

Alan Quick