Okehampton’s first ever Gala weekend got off to a smashing start with a glittering night of entertainment and feasting and a community day of arts and crafts stands, local charity stalls and services and Morris dancing.

The weekend, which included a Gala Dinner Evening raising money for the Okehampton Christmas Lights Appeal, a free concert by local bands and a day of sports, attracted a wide range of people from knitters to writers and librarians to police officers to the Rural Crafts and Community Day on Saturday. The one common cause was to meet local people, raise some money and, perhaps most importantly, promote good mental health.

Christine Marsh of organisers Everything Okehampton said they had decided to join forces with Okehampton College when she heard that the college was planning on putting on an event to promote good mental health.

The idea was that the event would bring people together after the isolation of lockdowns, shielding, and covid restrictions. And it did just that.

Learn Devon, Okehampton Library, Men in Sheds, Devon Carers, Tor Support, the Army, the police and Okehampton Guides all showed their faces to tell Okehampton locals about their work.

Now covid restrictions have ended many of these groups are working towards face-to-face meetings again.

The library has been very active as people can browse the physical bookshelves once more.

As Fiona Mokandpuri and Kirsty Jeffries said, the library is an important place for those who might not have the internet at home or live alone and may otherwise become socially isolated.

The Okehampton Library stall showed what a wide range of services it offers to all age groups.

There are reading challenges for children, a book delivery service for those unable to get out, and a music playlist-making service to help people suffering from dementia.

And, since the day was focused on mental health, a lot of reading lists on mental health issues for sufferers and families.

Two members of Men in Sheds Okehampton discussed the work it does, while sitting behind a brightly-painted wooden model of a steam train with the words ‘Who let the dads out?’

Men in Sheds has been particularly active in the community, most recently helping Devon women’s living service, Gilead, grow a garden at the centre (see page 29).

The group has also been making birdboxes and dormice nests, helping neighbours clear out old sheds and providing international help to communities in need.

Brandon Francis, a member of Men in Sheds, said: ‘When we get old tools that are maybe a bit rusty but can still be used we give them to Amigos.’

Amigos is a non-profit organisation that provides Ugandan communities with the education, skills and tools they need to grow and enrich their villages.

It was not just local community groups that attended the event but local mental health organisations too.

Devon Carers came to let people in Okehampton know about that often forgotten group in society: unpaid carers. The charity provides support for the thousands of unpaid carers in Devon (excluding Torbay and Plymouth).

Tor Support, an organisation that helps young people between the ages of 16-25 was also in attendance. There is currently a long waiting list for their services.

There was not only stands and stalls but activities for local people to join in.

OCRA also organised a sports event for children on the Sunday with lots of taster sessions.

All in all, it was a lively, sociable weekend which achieved its aim.

Christine Marsh said she was very pleased with the the turnout and wished to thank all those who came.

She said on the Saturday: ‘It was wonderful. I want to thank everyone. It was such a nice start to the weekend.’

OkEHAMPTON police cadets are seeking adult helpers who can spare a few hours a week to help with the group.

At the Okehampton Rural Crafts and Community Day, officers and cadets were talking to the public about the great work that is being done in Okehampton but in order for the cadet force to grow from 12 to 20 and beyond more leaders are needed.

The cadets, who meet on Thursday evenings at Okehampton Police Station, have been involved in community events like Okehampton Show, the Remembrance Day Parades, the Hospiscare Triathlon and Lakeside Summer Fete.

As well as learning skills such as map-reading, different types of communication and using police radios the young people learn about punctuality, reliability and smartness. To get involved email: [email protected]