OKEHAMPTON will celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday in style on Sunday (June 12) with a picnic in the park extravaganza.

From 2pm to 4pm, residents of the town and nearby villages are invited to Simmons Park for the event, which is free to attend. Guests can bring a picnic and refreshments and enjoy the variety of musical performances and stands .

Okehampton’s Mayor Cllr Jan Goffey has been the main organising force behind the event. She said: ‘There will be performances from Okehampton Singers, Wren Music’s West Devon Folk Choir, the Footsteps dance troupe and Get Changed Theatre Company. The town’s army and air cadet groups will compete in a series of challenges, to win a cup donated by the Royal British Legion. Children can get involved in drumming workshops by Wikidz and kids sports with OCRA, Hatherleigh Children’s Centre will be holding activities for younger children and children can take part in our fancy dress competition, which has the theme of The Commonwealth.

‘There is a varied programme with plenty going on. Several local organisations and charities will have stands and be involved. The pavilion will be open for food and drinks, the bowling club will be open for cream teas and the club will put on an exhibition match, the Lions will have their burger and ice cream van and the WI will be doing cream teas.

‘Lots of groups are involved and it’s taken a lot of organising; let’s just hope we are blessed with the sort of beautiful weather we’ve been having recently!’

Among the highlights will be a performance by Okehampton Singers at 3.45pm, fresh off their summer concert on June 4, and a dance show by Get Changed Theatre Company called The Queen’s Garden Party and the Case of the Missing Tarts! at 2.15pm.

The show, performed together with Cornish dance company Shallal, is part of the charity‘s 18-month project Get Changed in Wonderland, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s beloved Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Get Changed Theatre Company, founded in Okehampton in 1995, works with adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems using role play and performing arts techniques to develop life skills and confidence.

For further details on the events in Okehampton to celebrate Her Majesty’s big day, call the town hall on 01837 53179.

THERE are plenty of other events going on in the area to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. Hatherleigh will host celebrations from 4pm on Saturday, June 11 either in the Square or the community centre, depending on weather. There will be performances from Hatherleigh Silver Band, the Ukulele Bashers, Anthem and the primary school choir, as well as a bring and share tea, duck race, fancy dress competition and much more.

From 3pm to 5pm on June 12, Sticklepath Village Hall is hosting a tea party to mark the occasion, while in South Zeal there will be a street party from 2pm for villagers to celebrate in style.

Monkokehampton will have a celebratory church service at 11am on June 12 followed by a bring and share lunch in the Old Schoolroom.