I AM writing to express my thanks for the efforts made by Okehampton to celebrate the official opening of the Sustrans national cycle network route.
It seems that recently all we hear are moans and groans about Okehampton so it is nice to report something that was really positive and a credit to the town.
As a cyclist who participated in the Sustrans ride from Barnstaple to Okehampton as part of the longest ride on the longest day I cannot speak too highly of the warm welcome that all the participants received when we arrived in the town.
There was a real sense of atmosphere with welcoming speeches from Cllr Herriman, the mayor and Sustrans representatives. This together with the live band and buffet reception made it a real occasion. It really was a tremendous effort by all concerned and was greatly appreciated.
In the evening as part of the celebrations a criterium (cycle race) had been organised by the local Okehampton Cycle Club through the centre of the town where riders drawn from all over the South West battled it out to take the honours.
This was a rare and exciting event for Okehampton to host and judging by the crowds of spectators really caught the imagination of the town.
Well done and congratulations to the Chamber of Trade, Okehampton Cycle Club and everyone else involved in making the event such a success.
Mrs J Rice
Parklands
Okehampton