A DRIVE-in movie night is being organised by Okehampton Round Table with popcorn and 1950s fancy dress to banish the Covid-19 blues as people emerge from lockdown.

The charity known for its recent epic collection of food donations for the Okehampton Foodbank will be screening Grease the movie for the Okehampton community as a fundraiser to cheer everyone up.

The venue for the evening has now been confirmed as the Okehampton Showground and it will take place on Friday, July 24 at 8pm.

Everyone will watch the film from their cars but movie-style hot and cold drinks, hotdogs and snacks will be on sale.

Details on how to obtain tickets are available from Okehampton Round Table.

Everyone coming along is being encouraged to dress up in 1950s fancy dress with all funds raised to boost the Round Table’s reserves to help people in the community.

The money will also help to refurbish Santa’s Sleigh, which was used during the lockdown to collect donation from people in Okehampton and surrounding villages for the Okehampton Foodbank.

Round Table chairman James Mallen said they had wanted to put on a social event which even those who have been having to shield completely during lockdown could attend.

‘It is all about allowing people who are still having to socially distance. who might literally have seen no one for ten weeks, to attend an event that almost feels normal again,’ he said. Everyone’s had a tough few months and we wanted to hold an event to lift the community’s spirits.

‘We have been trying to look for something locally to raise some funds and OCRA (Okehampton Community and Recreation Association) had an event booked in Simmons Park for July 24 but because of Covid-19 that couldn’t go ahead. That’s why we decided to put this on.’

He said the idea of holding a drive-in film night had already been tried very successfully by the Ilfracombe Round Table in North Devon, who are providing the equipment for the Okehampton screening.

They came up with a drive-in movie, which people could attend even while other large social gatherings remain out of the question, after being unable to host their usual major annual ‘birdman’ fundraiser off Ilfracombe pier.

Okehampton Round Table’s movie night idea is being welcomed by many people.

Among those who has already bought tickets is Julie Smith of Sourton, who said: ‘Brilliant! Only read this last night and now have just booked a ticket! Going to be some much needed light relief.

‘Well done to all who have organised, and even if it is raining, we won’t care. Thank you.’

Okehampton Round Table is reporting a resurgance of interest with new members joining the group for men aged up to 45 who do good work in the community while having fun. Call chairman James Mallen on 07377 881274 for more about the movie night.