A GROUP of councillors and locals came together in Simmons Park in Okehampton last Thursday to celebrate the park being awarded ‘much loved’ status in Fields in Trust’s UK’s Best Park awards.

Simmons Park is among four parks awarded ‘much loved’ status in the South West, having been placed within the top 20% of nominations UK-wide in the competition.

Some 364 parks and open spaces were put forward, including 28 in the South West, with 36,800 votes cast by members of the public.

Page Park in Bristol was voted the top park overall in the South West, with Simmons Park in the runner-up slot with Thanckes Park in Torpoint, Cornwall and Kingsgate Park in Yate, Bristol.

Okehampton mayor Julie Yelland told those gathered beside the park’s bandstand on Thursday morning (September 12) that it was a ‘wonderful privilege’ to gather together to celebrate it.

She presented the certificate recording the park’s ‘much loved’ status from charity Fields in Trust to park keeper James McGahey and groundsman Neil Cleave. Together with their apprentice George Bryant, they keep the park which leads people from the town towards Dartmoor looking beautiful.

Cllr Yelland said: ‘Three hundred and sixty-four parks and open spaces across the UK were put forward with over 36,800 votes cast so this is a tremendous achievement for Okehampton and just goes to show how important the park is to us all — both as residents and visitors to the town.

‘Out of those 364 nominations, 28 parks across the South West were nominated with just four achieving the ‘much loved’ status including our very own Simmons Park.

‘Simmons Park is a perfect foil for the wild beauty of the northern edge of Dartmoor and caters for everyone whether you are looking for a kickabout, somewhere to let the children run and wear themselves out, a walk or somewhere just to sit and enjoy the peace and tranquillity.

‘First of all, I should like to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to show their support for Simmons Park and place a vote. This is our local voice being heard.

‘Secondly, an even bigger thank you to our wonderful staff who work so hard to look after the park for the benefit and enjoyment of all who use it. James, our park keeper, who nominated the park in the first place; Neil, our gardener, and our apprentice George. Congratulations to you all and well done.’

The park was put forward for the awards by James McGahey, who said he was delighted that so many people in and around the town had voted for it.

‘It is one of the nicest open spaces in Okehampton,’ he said. ‘l would personally like to say thank you to everyone who voted so that we have got this award. It is really nice that everyone has taken the time to vote and it has reassured us that people appreciate it. It is stunning.’

The park brings something of the wildness of Dartmoor into the town, with trees planted alongside the East Okement River and the Swiss chalet in the woods.

It dates from 1905 when Okehampton benefactor Sydney Simmons bought the meadows and woods beside the East Okement River and paid for them to be landscaped as a park.