Looking Back On 2021

APRIL

TUESDAY Tables, an initiative by Recycle Devon, was launched in a bid to re-home items no longer needed by the owner.

A total of 125 children attended Crediton Library’s virtual World Book Day 2021 celebrations via Zoom.

Motorist Sara Cummins was praised for averting a serious fire when she saw black smoke coming from the roof of one of the thatched cottages in Exeter Road and stopped passing British Transport Police officers. Firefighter Les German, who drove past the scene a few minutes earlier, raised the alarm. A fire crew from Crediton and one each from Middlemoor and Danes Castle in Exeter were quickly on the scene.

Azam Mangori, who killed Lorraine Cox and hid her dismembered body parts in an alleyway in Exeter and in Newton St Cyres woodland, was jailed for at least 20 years.

The CPRE and residents from 14 villages and hamlets protested against a massive slurry lagoon and the expansion of an industrial anaerobic digester near Upton Pyne fearing a rise in pollution, damage to the highways and historic hedgerows, blatant breaches of planning condition and overloaded heavy vehicles.

Flags in Crediton were flown at half-mast in tribute of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh when he died at Windsor Castle on April 9.

Nicola Berry (28) from Chulmleigh, who was known as the girl with one arm, launched an appeal to raise funds for the world’s most affordable multi-grip bionic arm in the hope of becoming known as the girl with “The Hero Arm.”

A Coronavirus cluster made the Crediton area the worst hit part of Devon during the weekend of April 17/18 - fortunately the number of new cases soon decreased.

MAY

CREDITON Town Council announced that it would object to the proposal for a new Lidl store off Commercial Road in the town, citing technical issues about flooding, landscaping, boundary concerns, light spillage and highways related issues.

In the same issue Mid Devon District Council announced that the plan to build 257 homes at Pedlarspool (Creedy Bridge) was granted approval.

Crediton Community Bookshop changed its name to The Bookery and was given a new look.

Men with metal detectors were spotted in Newcombes Meadow, Crediton when they dug holes in various locations in the park.

Crediton Town Council returned to face-to-face meetings when it was no longer legal for town and parish councils to hold meetings virtually.

The merger of Chiddenbrook Surgery and the New Valley Practice was approved by the Clinical Commission Group with plans for a new doctors’ surgery at Joseph Locke Way, Crediton.

World Book Day was celebrated by a number of primary schools including Landscore, Hayward’s, Copplestone, Yeoford, Tedburn St Mary and Pippins Pre-School and Nursery.

The Liberal Democrats retained the Devon County Council seat after a win by Cllr Frank Letch, who at the time, was the Town Mayor. Margaret Squires was returned as a Devon County Councillor for the Creedy, Taw and Mid Exe Ward. Cllr Letch then stood down as Crediton Mayor and Town Council Chairman and Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking became the Mayor.

Shops that were forced to close by Government regulations began to welcome back customers when they were able to re-open in mid May.

JUNE

CREDITON Community Allotment held an open day and lots of people enjoyed spending time in the garden and took part in a range of activities including gardening for health, a children’s allotment trail, gardening for the over 50’s and plant a tree for charity.

Hayward’s Primary School held an art exhibition showcasing the work of the pupils in the Take One Picture Gallery based on the work of artist, Georges Seurat.

The Dixieland Jazz Band entertained a large crowd of spectators on Crediton Town Square.

Prayers were said at the Boniface Statue in Newcombes Meadow to mark the Feast Day of St Boniface.

A large number of people who objected to a planning application for a permanent Motorcross track at Bow descended on June’s Bow Parish Council meeting to make their views known.

The Garden Zoomers group in Crediton marked the Queen’s official 95th birthday with a barbecue garden party.

A defibrillator was installed in an old telephone box at New Buildings thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface, Sandford Parish Council, Sandford Community Stores and the residents, friends and families of the surrounding area of New Buildings.

Children at Copplestone Primary School were thrilled with the new outdoor play equipment which was installed in the Key Stage One playground.

Bert and Margaret Jewell of Crediton were thanked by Crediton Town Council for caring for many of the town’s flower beds and tubs.