OKEHAMPTON is to play host to a royal visitor next month, when the Duke of Kent officially opens the new £4.2-million Parklands Leisure Centre. The royal visitor arrives in the town on July 13, when he will be shown around the state-of-the-art leisure complex in Simmons Park, watch a swimming gala involving West Devon primary school children and see a PE lesson with Okehampton College students in the sports hall. He will also meet young people and those who have played a key role in the project, before unveiling a commemorative stone in the grounds of the complex. West Devon mayor Cllr Jayne Hill said: ?His Royal Highness is well known for his support in sporting activities and we hope to show him just how proud we are of our centre and how well it is used by the community. ?So many people have worked incredibly hard to bring this project to fruition and its subsequent success speaks for itself ? we are thrilled that he is taking the time to come and visit us.? Parklands was partly funded by a £3.2-million Sports Lottery grant, the second largest ever awarded to the region, plus contributions from the borough, town and county councils, Okehampton College, Mid Devon Primary Care Trust, OCRA and local sports clubs. The centre opened last October ? since then, it has attracted more than 55,000 visits. The duke will also be given a tour of the Museum of Dartmoor Life, which re-opened last autumn following a £650,000 refurbishment programme, helped by a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund plus funding from several other partners. The duke will meet museum trustees, volunteers, funders and those key to the project ? children from Okehampton Primary School will also be present. Rosina Young, chairman of the museum?s trustees, said: ?We are delighted to welcome his royal highness to our museum, of which we are very proud.? The museum, once a granary built in 1811, houses a fascinating collection that reflects the life and work of the people of Dartmoor through the centuries. Among its many displays and exhibits are a Bronze Age hut, two 13th century bells and a sculpture of Baldwin de Brionne, one of the knights of William the Conqueror, who founded Okehampton?s famous castle. Following the refurbishment, the museum now boasts a new lift, state of the art exhibition gallery, fully equipped public research room and refurbished toilet facilities for visitors and staff. Following the Duke?s visit to Okehampton, he is due to travel to Hatherleigh, where he will see the Fishleigh Estate ? now known to millions thanks to the BBC?s popular live nature programmes hosted by former comedian Bill Oddie, the most recent of which was the Springwatch series in May.
