Okehampton’s popular Christmas Edwardian Evening returned last Thursday for the first time since 2019 to everyone’s delight.

It went off with a bang. The streets were packed and Entertaingly Different’s Rob Pudner gave the crowd a welcome to remember with singing, dancing and acrobatics.

Stallholders dressed in Edwardian costume lined the streets and the Okehampton’s Memory Tree of Light, organised by the Okehampton Lions, took pride of place in the Red Lion Yard, as local harmony group, the Hummingbirds sang to a joyous crowd.

With Edwardian Evening also came the official turning on of Okehampton’s famous Christmas lights to everyone’s pleasures as Okehampton’s Fore Street suddenly sparkled with Christmas colours.

It seemed to be exactly what the residents of Okehampton needed for this time of year, all joining in with the carol singing, dancing and festive cheer.

Okehampton Lion Bob Chapman said: ’It’s good from the point of view of the people. All the music is playing and they’re enjoying the songs.’

While, shopowner Michelle Simmons said: ’There were lots of people around, very cheerful and a lovely atmosphere.

’Quite a few people have said it’s been too busy but it’s because people want to get out. We didn’t have it last year and obviously everyone looks forward to it.’

Chrissie Read, member of Okehampton Primary School PTFA, confirmed that it was a very busy evening and said the Charter Hall was ’packed’ with people watching the Footsteps dance. By the end of the evening the association had raised over £1,500 for the school.

Despite the crowds, it was a somewhat more low key than previous evenings. The number of Christmas lights were reduced this year and fewer trees decorated doorways due to insurance costs and past health and safety scares, while the wearing of face masks was mandatory. But if anyone noticed it didn’t seem to matter.