“ABSOLUTELY stunning” was one of the comments heard during the "Not the Flower Festival", held at Crediton Parish Church and in the Boniface Centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 23, 24 and 25.

The festival was a wonderful display of crafts created in Crediton during the last 16 months, along with fantastic homemade cakes and hospitality in the Boniface Centre.

Some of the crafts were started some years ago but the recent months gave the opportunity to finish them.

The personal nature of the display was appreciated by all who visited.

Festival organiser Stella Stephens, said: "Special thanks need to go to Gill Collier and Sandra Thresher for their amazing creativity in displaying all the items in the colours of the rainbow around the church.

"Thank you to all those that loaned items as well as all the volunteers as each and every part made the whole.

"Did you spot the penguin? Keelan Payne made this and 10 other collages from recycled materials such as plastic milk bottles and yoghurt pots along with cardboard and bubble wrap which was reminiscent of the increased amount of online shopping that has occurred.

"We were delighted that St Paul’s and St George’s Church in Tiverton shared ’HOPE’ with us. A sign of hope as we come out of lockdown, but also a reflection of the hope that God gives us every day. 

"Saturday night’s concert was in two halves with the junior choristers of Holy Cross Choir taking the first half with pieces including Panis Angelicus and excerpts from ’Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo’.

"They finished with a tear-jerking rendition of ’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.

"Then to the second half with the first concert of the Crediton Town Band since before the lockdown.

"What a fantastic treat this was with ’Barnard Castle’ being very memorable along with some old favourites from Lion King and Crazy Frog.

"’Singing in the Rain’ came with the addition of Crediton’s equivalent to Gene Kelly. A fantastic fun evening. 

"The Sunday ’Songs of Praise’ was extra special as it was the first day that the congregation were allowed to sing inside the church and also the choir were increased in number, along with this being the first service that our new curate, Lewis Eden has led.

"Some old favourites chosen by the people of the parish ending with a roof raising ’Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer’ to that wonderful tune Cwm Rhondda (which is better known for its links with Welsh Rugby). The festivals raise money for the upkeep of the church, and we were delighted to raise approximately £1,000."

The festival committee will be meeting in September to plan the Christmas Tree Festival and what this might look like this year.

Organisations who might like to decorate a tree, should please email: [email protected] .

Stella added: "If you have always decorated a tree but are no longer able to do so this year, please could you also let us know by emailing as above."