COMMUNITY groups that use Okehampton?s Ockment Centre expressed ?dismay? this week as its threatened closure looms. The centre is the base for 225 community groups, ranging from history societies and yoga groups through to the University of the Third Age and counselling groups. Many of the groups have used the centre for a number of years and do so because it is affordable, welcoming and central, not just to Okehampton, but to the rest of Devon and the South West. Angela Blezard has run a yoga group out of the centre for many years. The group has about 15 members who use yoga for relaxation, gentle exercise and to relieve stress and tension. Some of the people who attend the group suffer from back problems and have been referred to the yoga group by doctors. There are now genuine concerns for its future. Angela said: ?There isn?t any other alternative to the Ockment Centre. The Charter Hall is too big for what we need it for and too expensive. We could use the college but it will be very difficult for daytime sessions. ?Over the years I?ve seen the Ockment Centre grow and grow. It is full nearly every day. We don?t want to leave and it will affect a lot of people. ?Everyone knows the Ockment Centre, it?s a central place where people go to find out what is going on. There will be nowhere to replace it. It is a hive of activity and will devastate the town to lose it.? Her thoughts were echoed by Malcom Francis-Lang, of Okehampton and District Local History Society. The society has used the, ?much appreciated,? facilities of the Ockment Centre for the last three years, describing them as ?excellent.? Mr Francis-Lang said of the proposed closure: ?It affects us quite dramatically. There are not many places that we can use to do what we want to do. ?We are trying to find an alternative venue but can?t find anywhere. Finding another venue that does what the Ockment Centre does is not realistic at all.? The history society meets monthly and has guest speakers, some who travel from far afield. Mr Francis-Lang added: ?I can?t book any more speakers because I don?t know where we are going to meet. We need somewhere that is accessible for the disabled and the elderly with the facilities to be able to make tea and coffee.? With up to 60 people sometimes attending the society?s meetings they need a space that not only suits their needs but also provides an area where people can socialise. This is further helped at the Ockment Centre because different groups have the chance to socialise with each other. Mr Francis-Lang said this aspect was as important as anything else. ?The Ockment Centre is an ideal and well used centre ? it really is a community centre, in every sense of the word. It is an important part of the community and it seems incredible that they can just pull the plug like that.? Shona Ware is an Okehampton and Dartmoor counsellor, giving one-to-one counselling on a variety of issues. She rents a room at the Ockment Centre to work from. She said it offers a friendly atmosphere and is non-judgemental, providing both safety and anonymity. Along with others she has searched the town but can find no other suitable venue. She said: ?If the Ockment Centre closes it will be a huge loss to the community. It provides so much support to people which is so important in this day and age. ?I?m very concerned about it closing, it?s hard to know what will happen and it throws the future into doubt.? The centre is awaiting a meeting with Devon County council to find out what, if anything, can be done to save it. Lindsey Svensson, manager of the centre, said: ?We are no wiser than we were a few weeks ago. ?Devon County Council are looking at what is happening, they say they have read every letter they have received, and have promised they will arrange a meeting.? Speaking at a town council meeting on Monday, Okehampton mayor Tony Leech added: ?We are working as hard as we can to keep the centre open. It is not all doom and gloom.?
