"THE town square picnic tables are coming out on Monday, March 29", says Crediton Town Team member Rod Brookes-Hocking, who added: "and fingers crossed this time they’ll come out and stay out!"

It was Rod who thought of the idea of the tables in the square last March when the pandemic started and then applied for permissions and raised the money for the team to buy them.

This year he will be working once again with the Crediton Arts Centre and its administrator Jack Robson who, if regulations permit, will provide a programme of activities called "Share in the Square 2" every week through the summer of live music, performance, singing and storytelling.

Limited but important funding for the artists and musicians who will take part is being provided by the Town Team, Crediton Arts Centre, Crediton Town Council and Mid Devon District Council.

"Musicians, performers, singers and dancers have been hit so badly by the pandemic", said Rod: "Everyone else has too of course but they have slipped through practically all of the government safety-net schemes.

"Many have had absolutely no income for a year and yet every day when we turn on a television, we expect to see skilled and well-rehearsed performers, singers, dancers and storytellers as if they’ve all been paid in full-time work, whereas most don’t even get a showing."

Traders around the square’s perimeter are firmly backing the return of Share in the Square.

To help do their bit they will take out and put away the picnic table parasols every day and help keep the tables clean and tidy even when it is not their own customers using them.

Baobab owner Eran Hovav says: "The tables and parasols are a simple but fantastic way of helping to bring the community together after months of isolation.

"They help create a lovely informal social atmosphere in the heart of the town and we’re very happy to help whatever way we can.

"Use of the tables is completely free-of-charge. Even though the traders will be happy to serve their refreshments at the picnic tables you can, if you prefer, bring your own and stay for as long as you want."

Last year the Town Team started the scheme with many volunteers to help steward or clean the tables or move them from the inner to outer square and back again for arts events or the farmers’ market. "But", said Rod, "as the weeks and months went by we gradually lost them.

"We’re still hugely grateful to them all, it was a real team effort, but now, a great alternative has been created by the town council, so we’ve transferred ownership of the tables to the council and just kept the parasols in order to work with the traders."

In taking over ownership of the tables the Town Council has agreed a contract with The Turning Tides Project, which is based at Crediton’s Station Tearooms.

"The contract includes keeping the town square and other public areas clean and tidy and, most importantly, looking after the town square tables, moving and cleaning them when necessary and keeping the area litter-free."

Crediton town clerk Rachel Avery said: "It’s a great solution for the town square and the wider town.

"It involves Turning Tides much more in the day-to-day life of the town and raises their profile as well as public awareness.

Incidentally, they also have a great music and performance team so don’t be surprised to see them too!"