Helen Moores decorating Crediton Foodbank's tree (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
Helen Moores decorating Crediton Foodbank's tree (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

THOUSANDS of visitors have enjoyed going along to the yearly Christmas Tree Festival at Crediton Parish Church.

From left, Linda Bennett-Smith, Jean Hope and Mandy Tietze decorated the St Swithun's Church Sandford tree. The decorations are recyclable and were made by the Coffee and Company group at the church (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
From left, Linda Bennett-Smith, Jean Hope and Mandy Tietze decorated the St Swithun's Church Sandford tree. The decorations are recyclable and were made by the Coffee and Company group at the church (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

The free event was held from Thursday, December 5 to Sunday, December 8.

Edna Beasley, left, and Ann Burnett decorated Yeoford Yarns' tree. It featured handmade Christingle ornaments (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
Edna Beasley, left, and Ann Burnett decorated Yeoford Yarns' tree. It featured handmade Christingle ornaments (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

It featured scores of trees decorated by local schools, charities, clubs, societies and businesses.

Morrisons Community Champion Hazel Evely, left, and Sandra Williams decorated the Morrisons tree with tinsel, baubles, nutcrackers and more (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
Morrisons Community Champion Hazel Evely, left, and Sandra Williams decorated the Morrisons tree with tinsel, baubles, nutcrackers and more (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Many featured creative decorations: Crediton Foodbank’s tree had a fun competition for visitors to enjoy, St Swithun’s Church Sandford had recyclable decorations made by its Coffee and Company group, and Yeoford Yarns' tree had handmade and hand-knitted Christingle ornaments.

CODS' tree
Crediton Operatic and Dramatic Society (CODS)’s tree (Crediton Courier)
Christine Harris decorated the Redlands Primary Care League of Friends tree. She handmade many of the decorations, knitting mini Santa hats and using pine cones, lollipop sticks and other items (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
Christine Harris decorated the Redlands Primary Care League of Friends tree. She handmade many of the decorations, knitting mini Santa hats and using pine cones, lollipop sticks and other items (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

There was also a huge decorated tree near the High Altar, which impressed onlookers.

Alan Quick, Carol Furze and Will Goddard with the Crediton Courier's tree
Alan Quick, Carol Furze and Will Goddard with the Crediton Courier’s 50th anniversary tree (Crediton Courier)

There were two concerts during the festival, one on Thursday, December 5, in aid of Hospiscare, and another featuring the Holy Cross choir and Crediton Town Band on Saturday, December 7.

Dolphin Stairlifts' tree
Dolphin Stairlifts' tree (Crediton Courier)

Refreshments were served in the Boniface Centre each day.

Crediton and District Lions Club's tree
Crediton and District Lions Club's tree (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

This year, 2024, was the 21st anniversary of the Christmas Tree Festival.