SOME good is to come from the devastating fire which swept through five homes in Buller Square, Crediton, on February 2 last year.

Crediton Arts Centre has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of several thousands of pounds to mark the anniversary of the terrible fire by funding an art and writing project.

In the build up to the Crediton Festival 2013 (June 1 to July 13), Crediton Arts Centre will be offering a series of writing and art workshops which will explore the history of Buller Square - which contained some of the oldest properties in Crediton.

The Buller Square fire on February 2 last year saw 15 fire appliances and more than 100 firefighters from across the county and beyond attend the blaze. A chimney fire was believed to have spread to the thatched roof of the row of cottages which make up the Buller Square. Fire crews battled throughout the day and into the night to bring the fire under control.

A number of Crediton families lost everything in the fire and some were made homeless.

The people of Crediton and further afield responded with great generosity to support those people whose lives were devastated by the fire.

They donated not only clothing, furniture, accommodation, food and other essential items but also tens of thousands of pounds for the families whose lives were so badly affected, thanks to a fund established by Crediton Town Council.

In addition to the human cost, the properties - which date back 500 years - were nearly totally lost to the town. Rebuilding work is underway and it is hoped that much can be restored.

This area of the town is thought to be the birth place of Wynfrith in 680 AD (who went on to become St Boniface) and is named after the important military figure, General Sir Redvers Buller VC (1839-1908).

Crediton Arts Centre is seeking a group of up to 15 adults and 15 young people aged 12 to 18 who are interested to take part in an art and writing project to explore and respond to this important historical site.

In partnership with the Crediton and District History and Museum Society the project will be exploring the history that surrounds the Buller Square properties.

For the full story, please see issue 920.