A GOOD time was had by all last Friday as the area joined in celebration to mark the 100th birthday of the nation's favourite royal — the Queen Mother.
There were tea parties, sing-a-longs, fairground rides and photo exhibitions — and plenty of nostalgia.
Although all ages were catered for, the day really belonged to the senior citizens whose admiration for the centenarian has never faltered since her decision during the blitz of World War Two to 'stay with her people' and not flee London.
More than 200 senior citizens gathered in the Union Flag decked Charter Hall in Okehampton for a good old fashioned sing-a-long and trip down memory lane.
'It's marvellous,' said Okehampton's eldest resident Rosetta Alford, 101. 'It is a wonderful idea to get all us old people together.
'I think the Queen Mum is a lovely woman and I wish her all the best as long as she lives — it won't be the same when she has gone — she has kept the monarchy together.'
Jack Hellier, 87, said he was revelling in the celebrations and the event in the Charter Hall was one of the nicest to be arranged in Okehampton for a long time.
'There were times whilst I was watching the celebrations in London on TV when I had tears in my eyes,' he said. 'I just wish I could lip read so I could make out what the Queen Mother was saying.
'It does not mean much to the youngsters but to the older people it was a very moving experience.'
Beatrice Pritchard was nine when World War Two broke out and she was evacuated three times.
'For people who lived through the war it is still fresh in their minds and they can relate to the Queen Mother better than the young people,' she said.
'To me the Queen Mother is someone quite ordinary but she is also quite exceptional — she has a brilliant mind.'
Earlier in the day at the family celebrations in Simmons Park Hyder Pirwany, who came to live in Britain when the Queen Mum was 60, explained how she 'shone out' at a garden party he attended with St John Ambulance in 1981.
'At that time all eyes were on Princess Diana because it was one of her first public appearances but for me the Queen Mother had a magical quality about her,' he said.
'She had a special dignity and a strength that got her through the crisis when King Edward abdicated and her husband, Albert became King.'
The day's events in Okehampton were organised by the Chamber of Trade and Okehampton Town Council.
Derek Godfrey-Brown from the chamber said he was very grateful to all the people who helped on the day to make it a fitting tribute to a great lady.
'It drew the community to celebrate in unison the achievement of the Queen Mother in reaching her centenary,' he said. 'It was really good to see so many people enjoying themselves.'
People flocked to a photo exhibition the previous day which focused on 100 years of Okehampton and because of its popularity it is set to be repeated.
In North Tawton parties were arranged for the children and senior citizens and the Winkleigh Over 60s club had a cheese and wine evening at Roadford Lake.