by Alan Quick

EXCITING plans are being made for Crediton’s Christmas in Crediton Lights Switch-On event, which it has been decided will take place on Saturday, November 24.

The Christmas in Crediton committee, a committee of Crediton Town Council and volunteers from the community and town organisations, has also decided that the theme for the 2018 event will be “Winter Wonderland”.

Last November’s mini-parade and Lights Switch-On was hailed a resounding success with almost 2,000 attending and taking part in the countdown for the grand Lights Switch-On for the big Christmas tree in the Town Square.

Father Christmas arrived on the back of a Harley Davidson motorbike.

The lights were switched on by the winners of the Children’s Fancy Dress competition, which was judged by Crediton Chamber of Commerce chairman, Mrs Tara Conabeare and now departed from the town, then Crediton Rector, the Rev Preb Nigel Guthrie.

The winners they selected were both dressed as dragons, Alexi, aged four and Jo, aged nine years.

The Mini Parade included musicians, lanterns made by children at workshops at Crediton Arts Centre, Crediton Scouts and other organisations and individuals in Fancy Dress.

It included Crediton Scouts and their decorated cart, the Exeter Street Band, all the fancy dress competitors and the Crediton Guides carrying illuminated arches. The Town Crier, Kevin Payne made the announcements.

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 which included singing by the joint choirs from Hayward’s and Landscore Primary Schools, performances by Winkleigh Morris, Sandford Sings, Exeter Street Band and the Charles Academy of Dance.

There was much fun to be had watching the Chamber of Commerce Traders Race and hundreds of people enjoyed rides on the Land Train up and down Crediton High Street. Crediton firefighters attended with a fire engine.

There were Christmas images to hunt using augmented reality, which, it is believed, was a “world first” for such an occasion.

Christmassy themed images were placed around the town square, that when viewed via a handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet, came to life as Christmas animations.

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

Volunteers from Crediton Chamber of Commerce and Crediton Tesco put up the lights around the town.

Crediton Town Council makes a financial contribution to the annual project and sponsorship also comes from a number of businesses in Crediton.

Main sponsors last year were Create Storage, Crediton Dairy, Mole Avon Trading Ltd, Yellow Mouse Studios Ltd, Hedgerow Print and Crediton Chamber of Commerce.

Crediton Town Council extended a huge "thank you" to everyone that took part or helped with last year’s event.

Crediton Town Clerk, Mrs Dalley, said that the event in November had been “the best ever”.

She added: “I would like to thank everyone involved in organising or helping to make the event a success, as well as all those who came along to enjoy it.

“It still amazes me how much the community come together and it makes me extremely proud to call myself Crediton Town Clerk.”

Cllr Letch paid special thanks during the Lights Switch-On ceremony to the chairman of the Christmas in Crediton committee, Mrs Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking and overall event manager, Mrs Clare Dalley.

Mrs Dalley said that she was now welcoming approaches from potential sponsors and members of the public who would like to help with the organisation of the events and activities for the day, or as a volunteer on the day itself.

She said that anyone interested is invited to the next Christmas in Crediton committee meeting at 2pm in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Market Street, Crediton on Tuesday, April 24.

Alternatively, please contact the Town Clerk by emailing: [email protected] or telephone the Crediton Town Council office, which is open from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday, on 01363 773717.