DESPITE the recent lovely weather, the year so far has been the wettest on record. Heavy rain and flooding seem to have become normal events. The Somerset Levels were in the national media for months, as was the rail track at Dawlish. Even 2013 was similar, when it rained for much of January, February, March, April, May and June. However, one enterprising group is making early preparations for a cheerful...2015! The Crediton Festival team (now becoming "The Crediton Town Team") produced the successful six-week programme of activities last summer. The team has decided to run at least two more festivals, in 2015 and 2017. They are worried about the likely levels of rain, though and have been exploring how they might prepare for it. What they have been thinking about is the idea of a town square canopy. CONSULATION EVENTS Two public consultation and design days are being organised by them to explore the idea, both of which will include local architects to help people explore the ideas and issues which come up. Kate Lock from the town team, says: "The first one, on Saturday September 13, which will run from 11am to 3pm, will explore what needs and functions a town square canopy might fulfil, including the 'pros and cons' such a scheme might have for the town as a whole and the town square in particular. "The second, on Saturday, September 27, from 11am to 3pm, will look at possible design solutions which address the issues raised at the previous meeting, and will include different architects from the town helping people put their ideas on paper. Do come!" Meteorologists are forecasting more years of unpredictable summer weather, so organisers and audiences of outdoor events, from markets to live music and dance, will face increasing uncertainty as to whether or not to go ahead and commit to either producing or attending events when faced with such weather. The town team believes that the idea of a large, elegant, robust canopy to shield town square events from bad weather includes what architects call "tensile structures". Exactly what such a structure might look like here, or what it might cost, are as yet unknown, but there are many examples around the world (Search in Google under "tensile structures"). There are also many examples of similarly attractive, specially toughened glass canopies, which let people see the sky clearly as well as feel the breeze on their face.