VISITORS packed Okehampton town centre for Edwardian Evening last Thursday with Father Christmas making a special appearance to up the quota of festive spirit. Santa was at the Museum of Dartmoor Life during the evening while many of the town?s shops stayed open with shopkeepers reporting excellent takings from the night. Don Rooke of Donald?s Menswear said the evening had been a huge success. ?We were very busy. It?s an excellent evening and everybody has a superb time. I have had a number of customers in this morning who said they thoroughly enjoyed it,? he said. Another of the main organisers Jean Swift of Teazles was equally pleased with how the evening went. ?The whole thing was lovely. It is very atmospheric, and the town really lends itself to that sort of Edwardian era and of course, the lights are fantastic too,? she said. During the evening, the sound of the barrel organ drifted through the town centre and there was some tremendous vocal harmonies provided by the barber shop singing quartet. At 7pm, a sizable crowd joined Okehampton Mayor Cllr Tony Leech for the traditional carol service in Red Lion Yard, with accompaniment provided by Okehampton Silver Band. Between sampling the generously available wine and mince pies, shoppers were also able to enjoy a morris dancing display, the Victorian Roundabout and various street stalls. Those selling hot chestnuts and a hog roast were also doing a roaring trade. Mayor Tony Leech, who was given a ride into town on Santa?s sleigh, said: ?It was a brilliant night. It is a wonderful event for children. ?We must thank everyone who was involved in setting the event up; Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade for the wonderful display of Christmas lights, the Okehampton Band, and also the carnival committee for lending us their microphone system.? The mayor?s prize for best dressed shop staff went to A & D Dress Design in Red Lion Yard, while the individual prize went to Ingrid Westington at W J Cornish?s Jewellers.
