IT is all change for the new year at Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade as a new chair has been appointed.

Stepping down after two years in the hot seat, former chair Donna Tombs of Rockin’ Beads will continue as a committee member, while The Toy Shop owner Jade Oliver will take over the role of chairperson.

Donna has been with the chamber for three years, two of them as chair, and said her highlights during that time were helping to organise Good Evening Okehampton, a late night shopping event, and the food and music festival.

She said: ’Both were new and great events. Good Evening Okehampton was a fledgling thing and was a lot of effort but it might be something that we do again at some point. The food and music festival was great and we will be trying to do that again.

’I will continue on the committee helping to organise things. At the moment I’m helping to organise a wine and wiggle event — an evening of music and good food in March.’

Donna said she wished there was more support for the chamber and what it was trying to do for the town and was disappointed that more businesses weren’t involved.

’I really don’t understand why every business isn’t a member. If you’ve got so few members or members are too busy to get involved, how can you be effectual? We don’t seem to have a great deal of enthusiasm or support for the chamber but there’s no reason why there shouldn’t be. If we had more members we would be able to do more for the town, it would make a big difference. It’s the same small group of people that do everything in the chamber and they might not want to always give up their time, so we need businesses to join in and participate.’

Jade has been a member of the chamber for several months, after taking over the ownership of The Toy Shop in Red Lion Yard last year. Prior to that she was manager of the shop, but she said being her own boss was far more exciting.

She said: ’The chamber is a fairly valuable asset to the town and to individual businesses particularly. It is a great way to network, gain insight and share ideas with other people and businesses. The chamber does need new members who have fresh ideas and want to be pro-active. We welcome both businesses and private members and hope see more people coming on board.

’My first act as chairperson was to name a date for this year’s Edwardian Evening. I am pleased to say that this will be held on Thursday, December 1 and doesn’t conflict with Dickensian Evening in Tavistock.

’I very much look forward to working with all members and hope we have new members joining up. I am always available to chat with and look forward to fulfilling my position as best I can.’

Other changes to the committee included Nigel Wayne stepping down as treasurer and Linda Harper taking on the role.