CREDITON’S Christmas mini-parade and Lights Switch-On, held on Saturday, November 24, was hailed a resounding success.

It saw more than 1,000 people attend the event, everyone taking part in the countdown for the grand Lights Switch-On ceremony for the big Christmas tree in Crediton’s Town Square.

The lights were switched on by Children’s Fancy Dress competition winners, Tilly Theedom (4), dressed as an Advent Calendar and her older sister, Sophia (6), as “When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney”, both from Crediton.

Mum, Claire, said she was very proud that her daughters had won the competitions and said that special thanks must go to their grandmother, Helen Mardon, who helped with the costumes.

The countdown was led by Stu Wight after the presentation of awards to the event sponsors by the Christmas in Crediton committee chairman, Crediton Town Councillor Liz Brookes-Hocking.

Spectacular fireworks made the crowd wow as they went off after the grand tree lights and others around the Town Square came on.

Dozens of children took part in the Children’s Fancy Dress competition and the judges were Rev Helen Drever, PCSO Dave Waring and Crediton sporting hero, Dee Weiner.

The Mini Parade included musicians, lanterns made by children assisted by Crediton Arts Centre, Crediton Scouts and other organisations and individuals in Fancy Dress.

It included Crediton Scouts leading Santa’s Sleigh, the Exeter Street Band, children from Sunflowers Day Nursery, all the fancy dress competitors and the Crediton Guides and Brownies carrying arches. The Town Crier, Kevin Payne also walked in the parade.

Lights on trees on shop fronts and businesses and the cross-street decorations were lit, as well as the lights in the trees at St Lawrence Green.

Prior to the Grand Lights Switch-On in Crediton’s Town Square, there was a programme of entertainment which included singing by the joint choirs from Hayward’s and Landscore Primary Schools, performances by Winkleigh Morris, Exeter Street Band and The Turning Tides Band.

Father Christmas appeared at a shop window after some searching and the popular Land Train took hundreds of children and parents for rides.

Winkleigh Morris danced to entertain and the Crediton Town Crier welcomed everyone to the event.

Glenys Bedford from Mole Avon Town and Countrywear was the winner of the Chamber of Commerce Traders Race.

There was a Winter Wonderland theme to the event.

There were food and drink stalls on the Square and a number of shops and businesses stayed open late.

The weather remained fine for the event, the drizzly weather coming to a halt just as the event began at 3pm.

120 TREES AND STARS

The 120 trees and stars which decorate shop and business fronts and others in the Town Square, at St Lawrence Green and three cross-street decorations were lit and many people commented how good the town looked.

Mid Devon District Council kindly agreed to free parking all day at the High Street (St Saviour’s Way) car park for the event.

Local band “LOSt COYOTES” provided entertainment in the Square until 6pm.

Sponsors were Crediton Town Council, Crediton Dairy, Mole Avon Trading Ltd, Create Storage, Hedgerow Print, Yellow Mouse Studios, Crediton Chamber of Commerce and supported by Crediton Arts Centre.

Event Organiser was Clare Dalley with Jo Ward, Lights Switch-On Director, Andi Wyer, Chief Marshall, Stephanie Jones, Parade Director, and Jack Robson, Events Director.

Julie Farrell, from Crediton, said after the event: “There was a lovely atmosphere - and the rain kept off!”

The event also saw the launch of a treasure hunt with a twist, an Augmented Reality Elf Hunt!

Augmented Reality appeared at the 2017 Lights Switch-on event. Christmassy themed images around the town square could be viewed using a hand-held device, such as a smartphone or tablet. The images came to life as Christmas animations.

Electricity from a "green" provider for the lights on the main tree was generously provided by The Green House.

Crediton firefighters attended with a fire engine.

Crediton Town Council has extended a huge "thank you" to everyone that took part or helped with this year’s event.

Crediton Town Clerk, Mrs Dalley, said the event had been “the best ever”.

She added: “I would like to thank everyone involved in organising or helping to make the event a success, as well as all those who came along to enjoy it.

“It still amazes me how much the community come together and it makes me extremely proud to call myself Crediton Town Clerk.

"I would also like to thank the following: Crediton Chamber of Commerce, High Street Traders, Crediton Dairy, Create Storage, Mole Avon Trading, Hedgerow Print, Yellow Mouse Studios, Crediton Town Council, Crediton Arts Centre, Steph Jones, Sandie Blake, Scouts/Cubs/Beavers, Crediton Guides and Brownies, Pippins Pre-School and Nursery, Sunflowers Day Nursery, Winkleigh Morris, Landscore and Hayward’s School Choirs, Exeter Street Band, LOSt COYOTES, Crediton Tesco, Crediton Rugby Club, Crediton Lions, All Marshals and Stewards, All High Street Traders that made a donation and stayed open late, “Crediton Courier”, The Old Town Hall, Rev Helen Drever, Dee Weiner, PCSO Dave Waring, Jo and Philip Ward, Peter Brewer, Crediton Coffee Company, Nicki Chivers and Joy Wilshire, Crediton Air Cadets, Local residents that volunteered and gave their time freely, David Oliver and Oliver’s Bakery, The Greenhouse, Crediton Fire Service, The Three Little Pigs, The Market Café, Stu Wight MC, Jack Robson, The Turning Tides Project, Roger Pennington and Roger Lee.”