Everything Okehampton Gala Weekend
There will be something for everyone at the Gala Weekend
There really will be something for everyone at this fantastic event, which will be staged in Okehampton College Sports Hall and Simmons Park, raising money for charities and the town’s Christmas lights appeal.
Everything Okehampton is working with Okehampton College and the Mayor of West Devon, Cllr Caroline Mott, in providing a diverse weekend of activities to appeal to young and not so young alike.
The fun starts on the Friday night with a wonderful two course buffet meal courtesy of Oak Tree Catering, and entertainment with the brilliant Johnny Cowling. Imagine a touch of Jethro, a spoonful of Tommy Cooper and a hunk of Elvis and you’ll get the idea . . . This popular comedian and singer has appeared throughout the country and beyond, delighting audiences with his quick wit and vocal talent.
The evening will also see the culmination of a silent auction organised by the Pink Ladies fundraising group, which has been running since the middle of the summer. Supporters have been bidding for a huge array of wonderful donated items including jewellery, beauty treatments, soft toys, paintings and meal vouchers - find out on Friday night whether your bid was successful! The auction is raising funds for the Chestnut Appeal, Exeter Leukaemia Fund, Pancreatic Cancer UK and Okehampton Rugby Club as well as the Christmas lights and Farming Community Network.
Between 10am and 4pm on the Saturday, a rural craft fair and community day will take place in the hall and outside in Simmons Park. This will be a showcase for a wide variety of local artisans - anything from home made soaps to walking sticks - and some of the many different support groups in the area. Taking part will be Okehampton’s Men in Sheds group, Okehampton Community Garden, Madewell from Hatherleigh and OCRA, to name just a few.
Okehampton College, whose staff and students will be playing an important role in the event, is keen to highlight mental health and isolation issues which have been much in the spotlight during the last 18 months.
Caroline Mott, who is helping to organise the community day, chose the Farming Community Network as her mayoral charity for the year and some of the proceeds from the gala weekend will be donated to this worthy cause.
Caroline said: ‘I chose the charity because I come from a farming background and West Devon is predominantly a rural community. We have really seen a rise in mental health issues during and since the lockdowns - even now there are a frighteningly high number of suicides within the farming community.’
During the Saturday evening there will be a night of music with various local groups showing off the wealth of talent that abounds in the Okehampton area. Entry to the music night will be free, so head on down and enjoy the fun!
On Sunday the focus will be on the younger age groups. A broad reaching activity day will offer taster sessions from a wide variety of youth groups including the army cadets, police cadets, martial arts and OCRA.
One of those taking part will be Robin Catlin of West Devon Swords, demonstrating Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), the study and practice of martial arts from the early Medieval period through to the turn of the 20th century.
Robin said: ‘Unlike re-enactment, stage fighting or live action fantasy role play which involve elements of dressing up and showmanship, HEMA concentrates on the accuracy of the techniques as a legitimate martial art. West Devon Swords' classes currently focus on Medieval longsword, sword and buckler, messur and spear, with some Renaissance rapier and side sword.’
MC for the day will be Entertainingly Different's Rob Pudner, a freelance expressive arts practitioner and family entertainer with 25 years experience working with children and young people. Rob said: ‘I’m delighted to have been asked to compere this special event showcasing the many fabulous opportunities available for children and young people in Okehampton.
‘After such a difficult and challenging year or so, where sessions, meetings and performances had to go online, continue virtually, be postponed or sadly cancelled altogether, this certainly promises to be quite the celebration, giving the local groups/clubs the chance to do what they do best.’
The whole weekend has been made possible with a generous grant from the Okehampton United Charities. It is hoped that precious funds raised during the three days will not only benefit the Farming Crisis Network, but will see the continued display of Christmas lights in Okehampton which are enjoyed by residents and visitors to Okehampton alike.
Christine Marsh of Everything Okehampton said: ‘We just want people to come along and enjoy themselves and see what the town has to offer the community - whether it’s in terms seeing our local talented craftspeople and the amazing goods they create, enjoying taster events or demonstrations, or finding out what support groups are around and what voluntary organisations exist in the area.
‘When it comes to the lights, the display will be a bit different this year. We won’t be having the individual Christmas trees but there will be a big tree outside St James Chapel, which should provide a big focal point in the town.
‘Okehampton’s lights have always been well loved and are a big attraction, but due to the age of the lights themselves, and the difficulty of maintaining the operation to actually keep them sparkling every night, we are having to look at how we keep them going in the future - it could be that the town council takes them on.
‘But whatever happens, they will be shining this Christmas and will be switched on during Edwardian Evening, which is on December 2nd.’
Would you like to publicise your group? Are you a craft person with items you would like to sell? For more information please email everythingokehampton@gmail.com