AN EXCITING programme of celebrations is being prepared next July to mark the 100th birthday of the 'jewel' in Okehampton's crown. Simmons Park was given to the town by benefactor Sydney Simmons, and opened to the public in 1907. The day selected to serve as focal point for the celebrations is Sunday, July 8, 2007. Cllr Christine Marsh, who was mayor of Okehampton when the rededication ceremony was held in the restored park four and a half years ago, said she was looking forward to the anniversary celebrations. Cllr Marsh said: 'It is going to be exciting. It will be about remembering what Sydney Simmons did for this town. There isn't anybody with such amazing generosity these days, as that man gave. 'We want people to get involved and enjoy themselves.' Discussions on the anniversary celebration programme will be taken forward at a meeting in the town next week. Activities taking place on the day could include popular games of the era, such as croquet, putting, tennis and bowls, a re-enactment of the gifting of the park and old-fashioned music hall entertained performed by the Courtenay Players. The Lions Club of Okehampton is planning to hold its own donkey derby. All proceeds from that event to be held the Sunday before the anniversary celebrations will go to local charities. The Museum of Dartmoor Life has offered to assist and will undertake research on the descendants of Sydney Simmons, a local man 'made good' in the Americas and London who bought the park and gave it to the community. It is hoped the primary school, local church, Dartmoor Railway and Okehampton Camera Club might also have some role to play in the celebrations. Cllr Marsh said she was pleased a centrepiece of the park was likely to be back in place ahead of the celebrations: 'We are hoping the replacement bandstand will be in place. We have had to revise the original plans but it is being built in the next couple of months and we hope to have it in the park by Easter.' An exciting summer looks likely with other activities happening in the park around the centenary celebrations, including the Devon Youth Games (June 30), a local bowls competition during the following week and the annual OCRA-organised week-long sports festival. Organisers are also hoping to welcome the Friends of Friary Park in the London borough of Barnet — the other Sydney Simmons park created in the Edwardian era — on a twinning basis. Helen Hooper, secretary of the Friends of Friary Park, said she could see no problem with the parks being twinned, but they were in discussion with local politicians about achieving this aim. 'We have all put the date in the diary. We would like to come down to Devon and help you celebrate,' she said. Friary Park has its own celebrations planned for two years' time, and Mrs Hooper said they would like to reciprocate by getting Okehampton involved in their big day in 2009. Mrs Hooper said she had been in contact with Cllr Marsh and exchanged pictures of the parks, which were 'quite different, but both lovely'. Okehampton Town Council is keen to hear from anyone with their own ideas for next July's celebrations. These should be submitted to the town clerk at the council offices ahead of the next meeting on the topic, taking place on Wednesday, January 10, at 7pm in the council chambers. Once a series of activities is agreed, a programme will be compiled with press announcements and advertisements replicating the Edwardian style.
