THE Okehampton area mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War with a series of events to remember and honour those who laid down their lives in the conflict.

In the town itself, a special concert is being staged by the Royal British Legion on Saturday, November 17. Doors open at 7pm and the concert starts at 8pm with performances from local talents the Okehampton College Big Band and the Hummingbirds setting the scene for the evening’s entertainment.

‘We are delighted to be performing once again for the Royal British Legion and for our local community on this special occasion to commemorate the end of the First World War 100 years ago, said Okehampton College Big Band director Joanne Teixera.

The band, consisting of college pupils aged 13 to 18 years, is enjoying a flourishing reputation not only in Devon but also abroad, with recent tours to Prague, Lisbon, Barcelona, Noordwijk in the Netherlands, Hong Kong and New York.

They will be joined by the Hummingbirds singers, a professional close harmony trio delivering cleverly perfected harmonies through modern vintage swing. The Hummingbirds, also local, recently celebrated their first birthday.

With music, dance and style, the trio of Grace, Bettie and Clara will be accompanied by Edie on the night to ensure a memorable occasion.

For more information contact Royal British Legion branch secretary Major Peter Williams on 01837 840757.

In Chagford, meanwhile, a Festival of Remembrance in the parish church will launch a week-long programme of events to mark the centenary.

The evening concert takes place in the Church of St Michael the Archangel on Sunday, November 4 at 6pm. It will feature the church’s own choir and orchestra and the programme, conducted by Kris Emmett, includes The Armed Man: a Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins.

During the week leading up to Armistice Day, from November 5 to 10, the church will be open for visitors to view an exhibition on Chagford during the First World War, featuring artefacts such as diaries, parish council minutes and school log books.

There will be a cascade of woollen poppies in the church, hand-knitted by parishioners, to represent the 58 soldiers from Chagford, Gidleigh and Throwleigh who died in the war.

On Armistice Day itself, Sunday, November 11, there will be two services and a Remembrance Day Parade at 10.30am. The evening commemorations will start at 7pm wit lighting a beacon on Meldon Hill followed by the ringing of the church bells.

This will be followed by a parish supper in the Jubilee Hall at 7.30pm, with soup and puddings, and music from the period. The event is free of charge to all parishioners, with donations invited to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

The week-long series of events have been sponsored by The Three Crowns and CG Fry & Son Builders in Chagford, with sponsorship for the exhibition in the church from the Joyce Storey Memorial Fund and Chagford Parish Council.

The beacon lighting on Meldon Hill is one of hundreds across the country to mark the centenary. Others in the Okehampton area include a beacon on Cosdon Hill (sometimes known as Cawsand Beacon) near Belstone and Black Down near Okehampton Camp. Both beacons will be lit at 7pm on Armistice Day (November 11).