A NEW series of free Summer Lunchtime Recitals celebrates a fifth year at Crediton Congregational Church this month.

Presented by the Music Makers’ in partnership with Crediton Congregational Church, and generously supported by Crediton Town Council, the six 40-minute music events are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

They will take place from 1.10pm to 1.50pm, starting on Tuesday, August 14, and continue for three weeks.

Some of the musicians playing will be familiar to those attending previous Music Makers’ concerts and recitals, while others perform in Crediton for the first time.

The recitals provide an opportunity for locally-based musicians, and have in the past included university students, music teachers and pupils, experienced amateur players and the occasional professional performer happy to share their music with the local community.

Performers select their own musical programmes and audiences can always expect some unusual items.

Doors open at 12.45pm for complimentary refreshments.

Admission is free, but donations are invited as usual towards the musicians’ expenses.

The series runs as follows: Tuesday, August 14: Alison Routh, soprano, with Roger Stephenson, piano: Songs by Debussy, Copland, Poulenc and Ives; Wednesday, August 15: Sparrows Web (a capella vocal trio): Songs by Annie Quicke; Tuesday, August 21: Obligato Quartet, led by Rebecca Willson: Nordic folk tunes; Wednesday, August 22: Margaret Aagesen Hughes, soprano, with Andrew Wilson, piano: Songs by two Devon composers: Andrew Wilson, William Jackson; Tuesday, August 28: Dhevdhas Nair, piano: Improvisations; Wednesday, August 29: Alex Wilson, piano: Banks of Green Willow: the music of Frederick Septimus Kelly.

The Music Makers’ acknowledges the support also of Stapleton’s chartered certified accountants, which enables the Welmar grand piano to be tuned regularly, and also of Hillbrow Residential Care Home for sponsorship of printed programmes during the year.