A GROUP of travellers who took up residence in the playing field, The Rec, adjacent to Active Crediton (formerly Lords Meadow Leisure Centre), this evening, Thursday, July 23, left for a destination unknown.

Enforcement Officers from Devon Investigations Ltd issued notices to each of the caravan owners, on behalf of Crediton Rugby Club, which rents the land from Queen Elizabeth’s Academy Trust Educational Foundation.

The Enforcement Officers were supported by Police Officers.

Rubbish left behind has been bagged by the travellers. AQ 6330
Rubbish left behind has been bagged by the travellers. AQ 6330 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The travellers, in six caravans and two camper vans, with a number of cars and other vehicles, arrived at The Rec during the early hours of Wednesday, July 22.

Active Crediton issued a statement soon after the arrival of the travellers which read: “We are sorry to let you know that Active Crediton is currently closed due to Travellers occupying the adjacent field.

“The safety of our customers and staff is always our highest priority, and we have closed the centre until it is safe to reopen.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated.”

This evening Active Crediton said that it hoped to issue an update in the morning, which is likely to be good news for leisure centre users who are hoping to get back to use the leisure centre facilities.

The bailiffs notice said that the occupiers of the land were required to vacate the land by 9am on Thursday, July 23, but it was almost 12 hours later that they had finally all left.

Unlike previous occasions, the site has been left relatively tidy with the majority of litter bagged and left near where the caravans had been located.

In addition, there appears to have been no bonfires lit as happened on a rugby pitch in 2024.

Rubbish left behind has been bagged by the travellers. AQ 6335
Rubbish left behind has been bagged by the travellers. AQ 6335 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Previously, on more than one occasion, after travellers moved from the Rec or leisure centre car parks, they moved onto land at the rear off Crediton Tesco off Joseph Locke Way.

On one occasion it resulted in Redlands Primary Care Crediton GP Practice, which is based in Joseph Locke Way, to operate a closed door surgery with only rebooked appointments and emergency opening only.

In the last few weeks the land to the rear of Crediton Tesco off Joseph Locke Way has been fenced off by Tesco contractors.