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 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
Our Christmas Tree Festival will be held from Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 December. Opening times on Thursday, Friday and Sunday are 11-6.00pm and 10.00am-6.00pm on Saturday. Light refreshments (soup, sandwiches, and cakes) will be served in the Boniface Centre from 10-4.30pm each day (2-4.30pm on Sunday).
Admission is free and there is disabled access to the church. As well as the trees in church, Bridge Books will have a selection of books and Christmas gifts, the church shop will also be accessible and there will be a bric-a-brac stall.
There are two concerts in church during the Festival. On Thursday 5 December at 7pm, the Xmazz Jazz Group with Tim Herniman and the trio Seraph will perform with donations invited in aid of Hospiscare. On Saturday 7 December at 7pm, there will be a concert with Holy Cross Choir and Crediton Town Band. This will include mulled wine and mince pies with a retiring collection. Please do wrap up warm for the concerts.
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
