Exhibition commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the First World War and focusing on how it affected people in the Crediton area.
The Society's 2014 exhibition was a reflection of how the First World War affected Crediton and the surrounding villages. It included contributions from many of the surrounding parishes including Shobrooke, Morchard Bishop, Newton St Cyres and Sandford, local churches and the British Legion. Crediton Operatic and Dramatic Society recorded a selection of WW1 songs that were played throughout the exhibition, along with the sound of machine guns.
Much of the research was carried out by CAHMS Research Corner volunteer Keith Parsons and Len Darling of Shobrooke Local History Group. Peter Reed made lots of his personal collection available and attended several events dressed in his WW1 Lieutenant's uniform. The exhibition was a great success in many ways and almost 1500 visitors came through the doors, equalling our best ever attendance. Groups of children visited from both Landscore and Haywards Primary Schools and one of our affiliated local history groups, Sandford Heritage Group, did some excellent work with Sandford Primary School. The topic led to more people using our Family History research facilities and masses more information was produced for our archives on the effect the war had on local families and communities.
The exhibition was very well received, and comments in our visitors book included "Really excellent displays", "fascinating", and from an Australian visitor "One of the best WW1 exhibitions".