THE MAYOR of Okehampton has issued a rallying cry to the community to participate in the FirstAid Music Day on August 27 or it could be the first and last time an event of this kind is held in the town.

Ticket sales for the day are slower than anticipated but with the event having been postponed on two previous occasions, it is believed some people are still a little cautious about purchasing tickets too early.

Cllr Christine Marsh, who is one of the trustees of FirstAid, the charity behind the music day, said people had no reason to worry because everything was in place and this time it was really happening.

Problems with health and safety regulations in Simmons Park forced the original three-day festival in May, featuring top acts like the Honeyz, Damage and the Three Degrees, to be postponed to June with a new location — Okehampton Showground.

Unfortunately, foot and mouth restrictions on fields around the showground, which were vital for car parking, were not lifted as early as expected and this forced the second postponement.

Cllr Marsh said it would have been easy to give up at this stage but organisers continued with their plans because at heart was the desire to do something for the town hit so hard by the foot and mouth crisis.

'Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control the festival was put off twice but now we are going back to the original venue of the park which is what everyone wanted anyway,' she said.

'We want to prove to everyone that the FirstAid Music Day can be a success so my message to the community is come out and support it and have a fantastic day.'

Music in the park will feature original line-ups from the 60s and 70s including chart-toppers the Fortunes, Marmalade, the Swinging Blue Jeans and the Wurzels plus the sensational London Community Gospel Choir and there will be music, entertainment and karaoke competitions throughout the town.

The evening performance of 'Last Night of the Proms' by the English Symphony Orchestra — their first ever appearance in Okehampton — will be followed by a firework display, the likes of which the town has never seen before!

Day tickets are £10 with children aged five and under going free and the evening performance, which is free to children aged 14 and under, is £16. A special price for the whole day is £22.50 and family ticket (two adults, two children) is £55.

West Devon Borough Council and Okehampton Town Council have waived parking charges in the town on the day and local businesses have provided sponsorship for the event, including Winkleigh Cider, the Fox and Hounds Hotel at Bridestowe and the Fountain Hotel at Okehampton. The Barclays Rural Regeneration Fund has contributed £5,000 and the event has been backed by the South West Regional Development Agency.

'Not only is this music day a chance for everyone to get together and enjoy themselves, it will be a wonderful advert for the town,' added Cllr Marsh. 'When people see what a vibrant, buzzing place Okehampton is they will want to come back and that is great for business.

'Too often in this town people sit back and criticise when things go wrong, well now it is time to get off your backsides, buy a ticket and join in the fun.'

Cllr Marsh said a huge amount of work and determination had been put into this event but it was make or break time and if local people did not support it, the same effort would not be put in again.

'There are plans for something bigger and better next year — this is just the beginning so let's back it 100 per cent.'

Get your tickets now from the Okehampton Times, Donald's Menswear or Angel or by telephoning the Box Office on 01749 813899. For more details contact the information line on 01837 54331.