ALTHOUGH precautions remain in place with increased ventilation and the use of sanitiser and the wearing of facemasks encouraged, things are returning to “normal” at Crediton Parish Church.

On Sunday, August 8, the congregation returned to having just the one service at 9.30am and was allowed to sing! Prior to this, the service had been repeated at 11am to allow for social distancing and singing was prohibited.

It has been a matter of deep sadness and regret that the church gates have been closed for so much of the last 17 months.

The good news is that the Rector, Revd Matthew Tregenza and the churchwardens are pleased to announce that the parish church will once again be open every day to the local community, visitors and tourists from Monday, August 16.

The church will be open daily from 9am to around 4.30pm. Anyone is welcome to pop in to say a prayer, soak up the quiet atmosphere or admire the architecture and beauty of the building. Pre-booked tours of the church and/or the churchyard are also available - telephone Bill on 01363 772865 for details.

In addition, the annual Book Fair is back! This will take place on Saturday, September 4 from 10am to 2pm in the Boniface Centre.

If you are able to donate books in good condition, please take them to the Boniface Centre on Friday, September 3 between 12 noon and 5pm.

Please, no sets of encyclopaedias, old reference books, GCSE or A level tutor books, Readers Digest Condensed or magazines. Empty cardboard boxes to pack away the leftover books would also be much appreciated.

For more information, please contact Anne on 01363 772865. Free parking, free admission, contactless payment available and refreshments served.

Anne explained that the Book Fair raises money for the day-to-day running costs of the parish church.

She added: “The pandemic has meant that there have been very few fundraising opportunities for over a year but sadly, the bills didn’t stop coming!"