THROUGH your letters page I would like to thank everybody who wrote such positive and supportive letters about the Battle of the Bands last week. I enjoyed the whole event immensely, and I thought the quality of the entrants and the atmosphere in the audience was superb, but what meant the most to me was your long list of letters, some of which I found very moving. I would also like to thank everybody who helped make the event so successful, everyone else who wrote letters which were not published, and also the stream of people calling into the shop through the week just to say they had a good time and how am I going to beat it next year! The Battle of the Bands could not exist without the generous financial support and goodwill of the various local organisations and businesses who sponsor it, but most of all it needs the general support of the town. This year we were able to give around 100 musicians, many of them young local people, the opportunity to practise and develop their art in public, hopefully giving them a valuable and positive experience they will always remember. We also attracted a total audience of some 2,500 people over the four nights of the competition, who had the benefit of attending some superb live music concerts as well as being a part of a great social occasion. The final in Simmons Park was a resounding success, with the appearance of The Animals bringing in a family audience from across the county and beyond. I feel that this is good for Okehampton in various ways. It motivates and inspires people, it is good for business and it certainly fuels plenty of debate as to ?who should have won each week?! As for 2007, I am already planning how to make the Battle of the Bands even bigger and better, so if anybody out there has any good ideas or suggestions, or wishes to help in any way, please get in touch. Richard Appleby Battle of the Bands chairman
