ORGANISERS of the Dartmoor Military Heritage Weekend which takes place at Okehampton Camp this weekend, say the enthusiasm shown by local people promises to make for a truly special event. Preparations are well in hand for what is set to be one of the most interesting military expositions ever held in Devon. Taking place this Saturday and Sunday (September 10-11), the second Dartmoor Military Heritage Weekend offers an all round military experience with something of interest for all generations. This year?s theme is the 60th anniversary of VE/VJ Day. To mark the occasion, Okehampton branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) will parade through the streets of Okehampton on Saturday at 11am, headed by the 60-strong National Youth Band of the Royal British Legion. This band has performed all over the UK as well as in Europe and the USA. The most recent overseas venture was to the Netherlands where the young musicians played to great acclaim at various venues to commemorate the liberation 60 years ago. Throughout Saturday and Sunday morning, the RBL Youth Band will entertain visitors. The band will close on Saturday at 5pm with a ?beating the retreat? ceremony. The youth band will be joined by representatives of the RBL from Chagford, Winkleigh, North Tawton and Tavistock, with their standards, and the Okehampton Detachments of the Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps. The parade will be commanded by Bob Nelson, Parade Marshall for the county of Devon RBL and a former Sgt Major of the Irish Guards, with the rear brought up by a second world war vehicle. Lt Col Tony Clark, commandant Dartmoor training area said: ?Last year?s heritage weekend was a great success but the amazing enthusiasm we are getting from the public holds out the promise of an even better weekend this year. ?We have lots of military skills exercises for youngsters to take part in, including assault climbing, firing a laser weapon and the obstacle course. It is our opportunity to show people the contribution that Dartmoor makes to our national defence, how we use the moor and how we look after it.? Peter Williams, Okehampton RBL secretary said a whole range of displays were planned during the weekend, including a plethora of memorabilia of the second world war, military archaeological sites, the Dartmoor military museum as well as demonstrations of today?s military equipment and training. Mr Williams said: ?Grenadier Guardsmen will be on hand to talk about their recent tour of duty in Iraq while children will have a chance to use some of the sophisticated modern equipment. There will be two-hour guided walks on Dartmoor and wartime nostalgia will be evoked with NAAFI tea and snacks, military vehicle exhibition and cream teas.? The open weekend at Okehampton Camp, whose military history goes back more than 130 years, is being held as part of this year?s Heritage Open Days programme. Co-ordinated by the Civic Trust, this is taking place all over England between September 8 and 11. The Heritage Open Days is now England?s largest voluntary cultural event. The camp will be open from 10am each day, closing at 6pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday. Entry is free and there is a free shuttle bus service between Okehampton town centre (More?s newsagents), the railway station and the camp throughout the two-day event. l On Sunday evening (September 11) to tie in with the Military Heritage Weekend, Okehampton College Big Band will be playing on the platform at Dartmoor Railway. The band will be playing live music from the ?40s up to the present day, from 8pm onwards. Tickets are £5 each (or £4 in advance). A licensed bar will be available.
