FESTIVALS HISTORY
Funds raised at the Festival events in the church are used by the Crediton Church Corporation Trust (reg charity no. 1051555; cpcrestorationcommittee@gmail.com) to repair and maintain this historic Grade 1 listed building.
Annual Flower Festivals were held nearly every year from 1972 to 2019 around the first week in June and at their peak, were one of the biggest events of the kind in Devon and Cornwall. They were introduced as a means of raising much needed funds for the ongoing maintenance and restoration of Holy Cross, Crediton.
Just over 20 years ago, two parishioners were on holiday in Norfolk and saw a Christmas Tree Festival being advertised. They brought the idea back and it was seen as another way to raise funds for repair and maintenance. Although more commonplace now, the Christmas Tree Festival at Holy Cross was one of the first in Devon and remains one of the largest.
Post Covid and for a variety of other reasons, it has proved impossible to reinstate the Flower Festival in its previous form. However, where the opportunity presents itself, a summer fund-raising event is held.
Christmas Tree Festival 2024
Christmas has begun for me…………’,
said one of the over 4000 visitors to the Christmas Tree Festival who in spite of the blustery weather, came to view the 70 Christmas trees, decorated by local schools, other children’s and community groups and local businesses. They were an amazing and colourful sight, much enjoyed by everyone that came to see them. The tree decorators deserve special thanks for their efforts – their invention, ingenuity, humour and attention to detail is what makes the Festival so special. The trees were especially colourful this year, showing an amazing level of thought and skill that went into their hand crafted decorations, many using recycled or natural materials. From their comments our visitors thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle. Many of the visitors found it hard to choose their favourite tree as there were so many to be enjoyed. Haywards School with their lovely red Poinsettia tree was the favourite children’s tree, closely followed by Landscore School and Muddy Boots nursery. The favourite adult tree was the Bow Growing Well Garden tree with its home grown decorations, followed by the Royal British Legion Poppy Tree and Yeoford Yarns hung with orange Christingles.
Many of the visitors commented on the warmth of the welcome and the tasty food in the café , which was kept very busy, helped by the Scouts on Saturday. The refreshments in the Boniface Centre were much enjoyed where visitors could see also the Newton St Cyres Art Group exhibition and buy from Bridge Books. There were also many bargains to be had on the bric-a-brac stalls in church, together with gifts from the church shop. The Evening concerts were also well attended, fun and enjoyable.
The whole organising team worked hard to set up and dismantle the Festival but special thanks must go to a number of people:-
- the Mortimer family who provided the Big Tree in memory of John and Isabel Mortimer;
- Mark Smith who decorated the Big Tree for us as he gives up his spare time in a busy life;
- Jo Ward who did his usual great job in sorting out the lighting;
- Claire Duthie who sponsored the trees this year.
Thank you again to all the visitors and everyone that makes this annual event so special and a wonderful start to the Christmas celebrations. It couldn’t happen without you.
Some comments from our visitors:
‘Wonderful and so festive. It’s my favourite event at Christmas time’
‘Fab as always’
‘Lovely atmosphere, just great!’
‘My favourite tree is all them- Laurel aged 6’
‘Best ever’
‘The festival makes me feel jolly and Christmassy’
‘A friendly and welcoming atmosphere – love the giant tree!’
‘Keep doing it!’
The 2025 Christmas Tree Festival will take place from Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 December. All enquiries about the Christmas Tree Festival or to book in a group should be directed to Anne Jerman: creditontreefestival@gmail.com or call 01363 772865
Previous Flower Festivals
2010 – Tales of Many Things
2011 – Let There be Light
2012 – Eyes on London
2013 – National Treasures
2014 – Lyrics for Life
2015 – Music for the Moment
2016 – Thinking Outside the Box
2017 – What’s the Point…
2018 – In Our Element
2019 – Colours of the Wind
