by Alan Quick

A LARGE crowd gathered in North Tawton Town Square on Christmas morning to listen to musicians from local bands, including Crediton and Bodmin, playing Christmas carols.

Arthur Arscott, one of the musicians who took part, explained: “When North Tawton had its own Brass Band the band used to play carols in the Town Square on Christmas morning.

“When the band folded in around 1979, a number of ex-players (including myself) tried to keep up the tradition.

“We have done this every year and this year was one of the best attended by the local residents.

“We also held a draw which raised £800 for Devon Air Ambulance Trust.”

Arthur added that the North Tawton Band was very active years ago, playing for fetes and carnivals, sometimes mid-week carnivals.

He remembered travelling as far as Combe Martin and Ashburton to play and said that the band even went to France to play in 1977 at Blangy-Le-Chateau, with which North Tawton was twinned and also for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

Mr Arscott praised Peter Cripps for organising the Christmas morning Christmas carols event in recent years and said he was proud that the tradition had been maintained.