Looking back on 2021
JULY
A CREDITON man, who was incensed that Devon County Council (DCC) had not been collecting road signs, when they were no longer in use, began collecting them himself and returning them to the DCC depot at Fordton.
Devon CPRE revealed that councils in Devon have no “powers” to control the sourcing of solar panels, many of which are believed to have been made in China by forced labour, using Uyghur Muslims.
Network Rail bought 16 miles of railway, from Coleford Junction to the end of the line at Meldon Quarry, as well as Okehampton Station, in a step forward towards re-opening the Dartmoor Line to Exeter via Crediton.
A Crediton man (74) who battered his wife (77) with a coffee table leg in an argument about his dinner was spared a jail sentence after his wife begged for him to be allowed to return home.
The first Crediton Cars and Coffee event, co-organised by Daniel Webb and Dominic Palfreman, was held on Crediton Town Square and was hailed a huge success.
Lion Hazel Evely took the reins when she became president of Crediton Lions Club.
Large crowds enjoyed the 28th Mid Devon Show which showcased food, produce and the skills of talented people in the Tiverton area.
Lee Howell, the Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service presented a Certificate of Commendation to Crediton’s Watch Manager, Mark Smith, CM Charlie Pennington and firefighters Michael Barlow, Mark Bolt and Jamie Rose in recognition of the brave action they took during a tragic incident in which four people died in Exeter in February.
JULY
A LARGE silo, which was 24 metres in length and 4.3 metres wide and took two days to transport from Scotland with a police escort, was delivered to Crediton Dairy. It was the first of two delivered within a month.
The Holiday Club returned to Crediton Congregational Church with reduced numbers and safety measures in place.
Copplestone Summer Fete, held at Shirley House and organised by the ELF Crediton Fundraisers Group raised £2,465 for Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF).
Crediton Lions and Downes Crediton Golf Club worked together to raise £800 for Children’s Hospice South West at a Charity Golf Day.
The “Rolling Stones” drummer, Charlie Watts, who lived at Dolton, near Winkleigh died at the age of 80.
This year’s Sandford Scarecrow Trail included 20 colourful characters in various locations within the village and the Millennium Green.
Buskers created a wonderful ambience in Crediton when they entertained shoppers during this year’s “Busk It” event organised by Crediton Arts Centre and the Town Team, raising funds for the Pete Mason Music Fund.
Community kindness saved a wild baby rabbit on Crediton High Street when it was spotted running under a parked car outside the Red Cross shop by Charlene Archer. Members of the community managed to catch it and it was set free on the outskirts of the town.
Local fundraiser Natalie Rees took part in her first triathlon to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research.
SEPTEMBER
CREDITON Arts Centre, Crediton Town Team and Crediton Town Council presented a fantastic weekend of entertainment as part of the Share in the Square programme for the August Bank Holiday period.
The Parochial Church Council of Bow Parish Church raised £860 with a cream tea which was held in the churchyard and in a small marquee because of Covid restrictions.
Gordon Short (100) from Burrington visited Morchard Bishop Bowling Club where he played a challenge match against the club’s youngest player Jake Tapp (11).
The permanent closure of Sandford Congregational Church raised fears for the future of other local churches.
Groups in Crediton were encouraged to apply for Mid Devon District Council’s winter Love Your Town Centre funding to help revitalise the town centre.
Devon and Cornwall Police issued a warning about thefts from vehicles with power tools being the main items taken in Mid Devon.
A road traffic accident resulted in a Land Rover Discovery ending up on its side in Higher Road, Crediton blocking the road for several hours. The female driver was treated for minor injuries.
A steady flow of visitors attended the Flower Festival at Spreyton Parish Church where the displays were in the theme of “Streams of Living Water.”
There was anger when anti-vax campaigners with banners handed out leaflets to pupils from Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton as they walked home from school at the end of the day.
The Cheriton Fitzpaine and District Ploughing Association’s match drew large crowds to Creedy Barton at Shobrooke where four horse teams were ploughing.
The Courier launched its Holding Our Community Together campaign to raise the awareness of the impact made by local newspapers.