PEOPLE from villages around Crediton joined those from the town at the War Memorial on Union Road at Crediton on Sunday morning.

The parish church was packed for the service prior to the parade and wreath laying ceremony.

Crediton branch Royal British Legion chairman, John Shaw, commented: “Pity we couldn’t make the church any bigger!”

He had been pleased with the young members of the various organisations who lined the entrance to the church, adding that it had been good to see the members of the local Air Training Corps.

“It was uplifting to hear the applause on the town square when we were dismissed,” he commented.

He said this was the last time Sgt Seb Lark would be the Parade Marshall at Crediton but it was a first for 17-years-old Mark Rottenbury when he played the Last Post.

For years this has been given by Ady Nuthall, playing the “Post” for the first time when he was aged 16. He has been a member of Crediton Town Band since the 1990’s, taking over the bugle ceremony from Debbie Arscott.

Mark began playing when he was six and joined the Town Band the following year. His father, Roger, is a member and Mark is now principal cornet.

Almost 30 wreaths representing town and district organisations as well as some individual wreaths were laid at the War Memorial, which is for the town and Crediton Hamlets.

There were the two big citizen’s wreaths from the collection days at the Morrisons and Tesco supermarkets at Crediton.

Among the wreath layers were Cpl Joel Yates (ATC), Lance Cpl Charlotte Down (ACF). For the Scouts the flag bearer was Nathaniel Scarbrough, the wreath laid by Zoe Ripley with Daniel Gould (Beavers) and Norbert Wieczorek (Cubs).

For the Guides wreath layers were Charley Finch (Leader), Jade Cann (Guide), Anna Bayley and Melissa Gould (Brownies), Millie Gale (Rainbows). Mrs Barbara Roberts laid the wreath for the Trefoil Guild.

Sue Read