THE 1950s and 60s may be remembered by some as when the highlight of the week was a Saturday night, or 'Dance night'.

Okehampton was no exception, where every Saturday night there were dances at either the Market Hall, which is now the Charter Hall, or the Drill Hall at the Conservative Club.

Popular bands who regularly played were Jimmy Gale and the Premier Dance Band, Billy Crocker and the Pretorians and in 1956, the Metrotones.

However, it was the visits of Cyril Stapleton and his full BBC Dance Band and resident orchestras that would cause real excitement, with special coach services being run for the events.

The Western National Omnibus Company put on extra services from Tavistock, which called at Mary Tavy, Lydford and Sourton.

A coach from Launceston called at Lifton, Lewdown and Bridestowe.

Other local coach companies to take part were L A Arscott and Co, S J Hookway, Phillips and Co and Norman Born at Northlew.

Cyril died at the age of 60, but had enjoyed an outstanding career, playing in the lead orchestras of his day before forming his own.

He was highly rated alongside such greats as Geraldo, Joe Loss and Billy Cotton, becoming a resident of the BBC orchestra and with regular spots on the BBC series 'Showband Show' and the 'Variety Bandbox'.

Even though the attendance of Cyril's Dance Band to Okehampton was popular enough to secure large audiences, he was backed by sensational singing stars of the day, David Carey, Jean Campbell, Monty Norman (who composed the music for the first James Bond film, Dr No) and The Steeplejacks.

The Metrotones were Okehampton's very own dance band. Formed under the leadership of Derek Hutchings, the band was very much in demand throughout the country. They played for police and hunt balls and were regularly at Fingle Bridge and the Okehampton Market Hall. After much success the band ceased to play in 1964.