OKEHAMPTON is gearing up for a huge celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of an historic journey connected with the Battle of Trafalgar. Okehampton will be one of a handful of towns in Devon to be visited by a replica post chaise vehicle recreating the epic journey Devon seaman Lt John Lapenotiere made in 1805 to carry news of the British victory over the French at Trafalgar. Okehampton mayor Tony Leech said: ?It?s a one-off. This is something a bit special for the town, so lets get out there and celebrate it.? Cllr Leech said he hoped the activities next Tuesday (August 16) would spark the interest of the town?s children as it represented a great ?historical learning experience?. ?The Trafalgar Way itself, I believe, will be one of the most important things that has happened in recent years for tourism in the south west.? More than 1,115 men of Devon fought alongside Lord Nelson at Trafalgar, more than from any other county, and that contribution will be marked in a series of events next week. Upon landing at Falmouth, Lapenotiere set off without delay, reaching the Admiralty in London in 37 hours. He would have arrived in Okehampton at around midnight on November 4, 1805, where he changed his horse at a cost of three pounds, four shillings. Lifton will also play its part in the celebrations with the former 18th century coaching inn the Arundell Arms providing the focus for events in the village next Monday, (August 15). Colin Warne, chair of Lifton Parish Council said: ?I think it will be quite an event for the village. I hope everyone will turn out. We are the first stop in Devon to be on the route.? The replica stagecoach ?Lorna Doone? will be parked in the Arundel Arms car park. The church bells will be rung, and Lifton Local History Group will dress in period costume and distribute flags, a children?s quiz, posies and sweets. Lifton WI will be providing light lunches, and sea scouts and cadets will also be attending to reflect the naval scene. The dispatch will be read out and a commemorative bronze plaque unveiled. After lunch, commemorative dispatches will be presented to local pubs and inns on the Trafalgar Way. Helping Okehampton to travel back in time the following day, will be the Courtenay Players who will be dressed in period costumes. Royal British Legion standard bearers will be on parade and Royal Marines buglers will be performing as will Okehampton Excelsior Band. Red Lion Yard will also host a special farmers? market and hog roast during the day. It will be a special day for Hatherleigh town crier Ros Chard, who will be announcing the arrival of the reconstruction teams in Okehampton ? August 16 is also her birthday. ?I think it?s a lovely way to celebrate your birthday.? said Ros, whose said her grandmother was a Drake, descended from Sir Francis, and whose family have naval and military backgrounds. Co-ordinator of the town?s celebrations Tim Donkin said preparations for the celebrations were going very smoothly. ?I think it will be a splendid day. It will put Okehampton on the map,? he said.
