CREDITON’S Christmas mini-parade and Lights Switch-On, held on Saturday, November 27, has been hailed as a great success by its organising committee.

Hundreds of people attended 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, Evangeline Clark (4) with her cousin Tilly Theedom (7), and Crediton Mayor, Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking.

The countdown was led by Stu Wight after the presentation of awards to the event sponsors by the Mayor.

Dozens of children took part in the Children’s Fancy Dress competition.

Children and families also greatly enjoyed the return of the Landtrain which is popular year-after-year. Thanks went to the Rotary club members who marshalled the queues, safe boarding and unboarding of the train carriages.

The Mini Parade included musicians, Crediton Scouts and Guides as well as school groups.

The Town Crier, Kevin Payne walked in the parade with the Mayor and competition winners.

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 in the Town Square.

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

More than 135 trees and stars decorated 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 "The Beatnxs" provided entertainment in the Three Little Pigs after the event.

Sponsors were Crediton Town Council, Crediton Dairy and Hedgerow Print.9438

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

THANKS

Crediton Town Council Project Manager Lisa Blake said on behalf of the organising committee: "I would like to thank everyone who contributed to make our Christmas in Crediton celebrations a great community event.

"This year we came prepared for challenges of a pandemic and had a last minute amber weather warning thrown at us instead!

"But we overcame it and I received so many lovely positive comments about the event.

"None of this would be possible without the commitment and dedication of so many people."

Lisa added thanks to the following: Sponsors - Crediton Town Council, Hedgerow Print and Crediton Dairy.

Christmas in Crediton Sub-Committee - Jack Robson and Crediton Arts Centre, Steph Jones, Alan Quick, Paul Fallon and the Rotary volunteers, Crediton Town Council and Staff. Lions volunteers, Community Volunteers, Morrisons, Landscore and Hayward’s, Pippins and Sunflowers, Kevin Payne, Jo Ward, Ian Rogers, Roger Lee, Roger Pennington and Stu Wight. Fancy Dress Judges - Andy Smith, Matthew Tregenza and Alison Richardson. Anja Pope, High Street Traders, The Greenhouse, Crediton Guides and Scouts, Eran - Baobab Café, Three Little Pigs for accommodating the band, Crediton Coffee Company for being the base for Lost Children Point, Crediton Rugby Club and Andi Wyer.