SIMMONS Park will form the backdrop for performances by the cream of new local musicians as the town hosts the second Okehampton Battle of the Bands this summer. Following the huge success of the inaugural competition last year, the event is to be expanded with a spectacular free open air concert as the finale. The event is the brainchild of Richard Appleby of Millennium Music in the Arcade, who says he will be pulling out all the stops to make this year?s competition even better than last year?s. Mr Appleby said last year there had been a great response with almost twice as many bands applying to enter as there were spaces for. He said: ?I want a level playing field this year, with everyone given the chance to enter.? However, Mr Appleby said the competition was first and foremost for local bands from the Okehampton and surrounding area, although entrants from further away would also be considered. He said that for a lot of new bands the buzz of playing before a live audience was a very exciting prospect. ?It inspires people, I am getting lots of enquiries from people asking when are Battle of the Bands entry forms coming out, which is very encouraging,? he said. Mr Appleby, who recently became chairman of Okehampton Chamber ot Trade, said he believed the event was good for business in the town as it helped raise the its profile. ?I have had nothing but positive reactions from everyone I have spoken to about it,? he said. ?All the bands from other areas were very envious and said how great it was that the town was doing this.? Mr Appleby said this year?s event was budgeted to cost eight times as much to run, mainly because of the expense of staging, lighting and security at an open air event, so he was keen to attract more sponsors and advertisers to back it. ?Now it has been a proven success, I?m sure people will want to be associated with it,? he said. ?As far as I am concerned, this will become lan annual event, there?s no question about it,? added Mr Appleby. The enthusiastic organiser, who has played in a variety of groups himself during the last 25 years, said he had been well supported by Okehampton Town Council, which he said had ?got right behind? the idea of holding the grand final in the park. The first of three heats to be held in the charter hall is due to get underway on Thursday, July 21, with the grand final taking place in Simmons Park on Saturday, August 13. Entry details will be announced soon. Anyone wishing to get involved in sponsorship is asked to contact Mr Appleby at Millennium Music on 01837 659249.
