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. The Times has been 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. This is another such insight.

Thomas Charles Westcott, Mayor 1889/90 MR THOMAS Charles Westcott died at the age of 66 at his home, Prospect Bungalow, Okehampton on May 10 1910, just four days after the death of Edward VII. Mr Westcott was one of Okehampton?s most successful businessmen. His potential was recognised during his education at the Classical Academy, Okehampton, and we are lucky that some of his classwork books of 1857, when he was just 13, have survived to illustrate the quality of his work at that tender age. Just six years later, at only 19, he started his business life and it was largely due to his personal efforts that the firm of T C Westcott and Co attained an important place in the commerce of the town, with large premises and a staff to match at the Mart, Fore Street, Okehampton. He enlarged his successful enterprise with country rounds whereby ?travellers? on their pony and trap would take orders from the surrounding villages, farms and cottages and deliver their requirements within the next two or three days. Westcotts could supply just about everything as milliners, dress and mantle makers, tailors and outfitters, furnishers, ironmongers and general drapers with a large grocery store and order room. Country staff and apprentices could ?live in? six days at the cottages at the rear of Fore Street, generally returning to their homes in the country for just Sundays. Market days on Saturday would be extremely busy with farmers flocking to the town and the firm could take as much money on a Saturday as the rest of the week put together! Mr Westcott, a native of the town, was a well known figure in the neighbourhood, having identified himself very closely with much of its public life. A mayor of the town, he had been an alderman and councillor, being one of the new council elected under the New Charter in 1885. He was also a member of the charity trustees and several other charitable organisations within the town. He had a great love of the Wesleyan Church, occupying several important posts within the church and circuit, including that of treasurer for many years. He played a major part in the organisation and in raising the necessary money to finance the move from the New Road premises to the purpose built Church in Fairplace, which has given spiritual support to so many worshippers over the years. Hilary and Mike Wreford