OKEHAMPTON Town Council, in their archives, have a large number of photographs, prints and paintings relating to past mayors, MPs and personalities who contributed much to the success of Okehampton Borough. The council decided to restore, frame and display some of these in the town hall and felt each should be accompanied by a written ?appreciation? of the individual. The task of bringing the stories of these notable figures to life was taken on by local historians Mike and Hilary Wreford. In the early days, the mayor was a powerful figure and was, on election, automatically chief magistrate of the borough of Okehampton, combining immense power and authority in the two appointments. The mayor then was responsible for roads, rivers, bridges, street lighting, planning, water sewage, licensing laws, refuse and a borough surveyor. If something went on in the borough of Okehampton, chances are the mayor was responsible for it. In addition, under the broad heading of ?public health?, as a sanitary authority, the council shared with the rural district council a medical officer of health who not only reported on legitimate and illegitimate births but was responsible for slaughterhouses, shops, smoke abatement, closets, wells, inspection of house, milk and meat supplies and slum clearance. All the mayors undertook their duties with pride and each of the ?write-ups? gives a flavour of the times in which they lived and served so well. Starting this week, the Times will be publishing in conjunction with the town council and Mike and Hilary Wreford a series of occasional profiles of the people who helped forge the identity of Okehampton.

Church stalwart?s ?magic potions?

Albert William Coles, Mayor 1928-29 WHEN he died in 1946 at the age of 72 at Tintern House in Station Road, Albert William Coles had served as an alderman or councillor from 1919 to 1945, until poor health caused him to resign in 1945. Son of the Rev James Coles, one of the stalwarts of the Fairplace Methodist Church, Albert had been educated at Shebbear College. His father was travelling in the Kent circuit as a bible Christian minister and was considering a career for his son. Although stationed in Kent, James Coles had set his heart in the west. So they arranged to have the weekly edition of the Western Times posted from Exeter, which would arrive in the Sunday postal delivery. However, there was a strict injunction, which decreed that it could not be opened until Monday morning, as newspapers were too worldly for Sunday ? the day of rest! An advertisement was seen for an apprentice to Seth Harry, the chemist, and Albert duly arrived and served as an apprentice for five years at a fee of £25 ? difficult for a father on £80 a year already having paid for his son?s education at Shebbear. After his apprenticeship, he started a business on his own account as a chemist and photographer, trading in The Arcade as A W Coles Ltd. He was much respected and ?patients? would often go straight to him with their ailments to receive one of his ?magic potions? and perhaps avoid the doctor?s fee in those days! His wife had died at the early age of 49 in January 1927, having been headmistress at Okehampton Council School for a number of years. On his election as mayor, as a widower he had the help of his daughter Margaret, as mayoress, who, not having left Okehampton Grammar School, could be the youngest mayoress in the history of Okehampton. Later, as Margaret Nash, she would serve the town for a long time as a councillor as well as being mayor herself. His granddaughter Frances Luxton was also elected as a councillor and served as deputy mayor. Mr Coles found time to be a governor of Okehampton Grammar School, manager at both the Okehampton Primary and Secondary Modern schools and a member of the charity trustees. He was a chairman of the entertainment committee celebrating the Silver Jubilee of King George V on May 6 1935. Mr Coles also served on s several committees and, once again he was chairman of entertainment for the Coronation festivities of King George VI on May 12 and 13 1937. He did much for the Simmons Bowling Club in various capacities and was captain for nearly 12 years. Mr Coles was the proud possessor of a magic lantern and would take his slide show around the local villages, driven by his daughter Margaret. With a good voice, he was much in demand for local entertainment and he would appear at all sorts of functions. He would happily give his time to the inmates of the Poor Law Institution and would do a great deal for all charitable causes, giving pleasure to a great many people. Politically, he was a genuine ?die hard liberal?, at one time being a member of the South Molton division Liberal executive committee and president of the Okehampton Liberal Club. A devout Methodist, he had served the Okehampton-Northlew circuit as a circuit steward and the Fairplace Church in many capacities. It was a combination of his politics and Methodist faith that sometimes put him at odds with other councillors. One specific example in 1927 was when the council was conceding extra dances in the Market Hall. Alderman Coles said that when he was young they were satisfied with two dances a year and even that was too many. He did not think such requests week after week were good for the health of young people! When it was agreed to allow an extra dance, Mr Coles still remarked ?I vote against it, Mr Mayor?. These well-intended remarks made the local papers and even the national newspapers. In later life, he did not want the swings and paddling pool used on a Sunday and this time he carried most of the council with him. His shop in the Arcade was typical of the chemist of the time, with its many colourful bottles and jars on display. Later he moved to larger premises at 34 Fore Street, where it was subsequently acquired by Boots. Mr Coles was highly respected and served Okehampton and District well and perhaps it is incongruous that on the night of the 1937 Coronation a grand coronation dance was indeed held in the Market Hall, with music by the Arcadian Dance Band. Hilary and Mike Wreford