Okehampton's Edwardian Evening returns

It’s that time of year - get ready for Okehampton’s Edwardian Evening.

The Edwardian evening will include the Christmas lights being turned on, festive carols and excellent local stalls.

Pillars from across the Okehampton community are gearing up for this very special night and festive season.

I am delighted once again to welcome you all to Okehampton’s Edwardian Evening. This is a very special night when as well as most of the populus of the town and surrounding villages, we also welcome many many visitors.

As I am sure you are aware our Christmas Lights are the envy of most towns in the West Country and for that I would like to thank Everything Okehampton and all of you who have supported their fund-raising efforts. We are very grateful to Cladco who volunteered to collect (from the farm 20 miles north) our Christmas Tree which is situated outside St James.

Not only do we turn on our Christmas Lights and have our Six Carols at 6pm prompt with the help of our wonderful town band but all our lovely shops are decorated and look forward to you visiting them. Again, this year we also have some excellent stalls brought in for the evening to enhance your drinking, eating and purchasing options.

May I on behalf of Okehampton Town Council hope you have a wonderful Edwardian Evening and wish you all a most relaxing and wonderful Christmastide

Allenton Fisher, Mayor of Okehampton

As President of The Okehampton Rotary Club it is my pleasure to express my thanks to Everything Okehampton for the wonderful Christmas lights which make the atmosphere of our annual Edwardian Evening so very special.

Its a great opportunity not just for traders but the people of Okehampton and the surrounding areas to come and enjoy the festive celebrations. Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2025.

Chris Bourne, Rotary Club President

Christmas is a magical time of year. Well, that’s what many of the songs tell us. In the Spring, from the snowdrops to the dawn chorus are signs of new life and warmer, lighter of days. But what is the first sign that Christmas is coming? Is it the appearance of advent calendars in shops or the appearance of poinsettias at local garden centre?

I have so many fond memories of Christmas. When I was a child an advent calendar simply opened each day to reveal a picture. I was always excited to count down the days to Christmas Day.

The Bible gave many signs that the first Christmas was coming. A child was going to be born in Bethlehem, of a virgin, the child would be descended from King David, a messenger would come to prepare the way, and a bright star would be the sign.

Christmas 2024 is fast approaching. I trust and pray that this Christmas will be a time of blessing for you and your family. If you are suffering loss that it will be a time of peace. All of our local churches have many events for you to attend. If you are lonely or suffering this Christmas then please don’t be afraid to make contact.

With every blessing,

Rev Mike Davies, Senior Minister – Inspiration Church, Okehampton, Hon. Alderman of West Devon Borough

This will be my 22nd and last Christmas as the Vicar of Okehampton and therefore my last chance to wish you all a very happy Christmas in this article. For the first ten years the paper used the same picture of me to accompany it, so I never got any older, but sadly they have caught up with me now.

Like me, the town has changed a great deal in that time. Hundreds of new houses have been built, the railway has reopened, many of the shops have come and gone. Familiar characters that walked the streets are now resting in the churchyard. I’m pleased to say that the character of the place is still the same, with its supportive community atmosphere and the way in which you can find almost anything you need here if you look hard enough.

The enduring message of Christmas is still the same as well. The amazing story of God with us in the form of a tiny child born in a humble stable destined to be the Prince of Peace and the Saviour of the world.

So for the last time Happy Christmas! Please support your wonderful local shops and do come and visit any of your local churches, where you will find a warm welcome.

My last service here will be at 10:30 on Sunday January 26 at All Saints Okehampton. It would be lovely to see you if you can make it.

Stephen Cook, Team Rector, Northmoor Team Ministry.

With every year that we grow there are more challenges and more to do as we are now so well established in the area. Slow cooker kits remain our biggest line of defence for the cost of living crisis and we now offer full budgeting support with a trained advisor.

We recognise that we are limited in how much we can help on our own so we always focus on collaboration with others. Well-Being Cafe team up with us on all sorts of things and we've had such amazing support from individuals, churches and businesses and this is our opportunity to thank everyone.

With your support we have sent out thousands of meals worth of food, ready meals to those on end of life care or unable to cook and we have taught more than 50 people basic cooking skills.

Our rural food bank has delivered emergency food to people in crisis from farmers to those just out of hospital or unable to get to a town food bank. With money from our catering sales we sent out hygiene and / or food products to Hatherleigh Food Bank, Oke Community Fridge, Chagford Pantry and Merry-Go-Round food bank as they all set up. We are blown away with just how many organisations are supporting our region.

Our reverse advent appeal is on again this year, could your family, church, school or business take part?

Okehampton Community Christmas is on again both Christmas Day and Boxing Day with fun, festivities and food! Free to attend and booking really helps us get the numbers right. 07806770926 or email [email protected].

Rebecca Kitty Green of Okehampton Community Kitchen