AN exciting project charting the rich history of life in the Okehampton Hamlets will be the next major scheme to be undertaken by the Hamlets parish council, following the completion of it's recent car park project.

At the parish's annual assembly at Meldon Village Hall on April 13, chairman Derek Webber welcomed the idea of a project covering both the industrial and social history of the area and said he was sure there were many people who could share stories about the history of the hamlets which would be of great interest to the general public.

'I am sure there are some older people who have got masses of information which could make a very good exhibition,' he told the meeting.

Cllr Derek Godfrey-Brown said work was already underway on the Hamlets living history project, with interviews due to be filmed and recorded in the next few weeks to kick the project off.

Mr Godfrey-Brown said an industrial audit of the area was already being compiled.

'A lot of the industrial heritage of a bygone era is out there. It is quite a challenge but we are looking forward to it,' he said.

The council is hoping the history exhibition could form part of their marquee at this year's Okehampton Show, with a larger history exhibition as a possible spin-off from that.

During the assembly, there was an outline of some of the projects which the Hamlets had taken on in the past 12 months, including support for Brightley Road residents' campaign for speed reductions.

Mr Webber thanked his fellow councillors for all their efforts over the past 12 months.

Information talks were given at the meeting by John Love and David Payne of Dartmoor Railway, who talked about the opening of the new station at Sampford Courtenay later this year.

They also outlined the long-term project to establish a daily commuter service between Okehampton and Exeter.

John Elson of Okehampton Youth Hostel also spoke about some of the activities available through the hostel including rock climbing at Meldon.

Before the assembly, the official opening of the council's Quarry Park car park took place. Councillors from the Hamlets gathered for the unveiling of the new name plaque at the Alphalite quarry.

The chairman thanked members for attending, particularly Mr Godfrey-Brown who had overseen the project.

Planning permission for the car park — which was created with the council's own resources and no grant funding — was given last summer. The car park is intended to be a feature in the promotion of Bluebell Woods.

Following the meeting refreshments using local produce were laid on, against the backdrop of a slide show depicting before and after photographs taken at the Quarry Park car park.

l Anyone with recollections about life in the hamlets who would like to contribute to the history project is asked to contact Okehampton Hamlets parish clerk Melanie Leonard on 01837 861230.