USERS of St James Chapel in Okehampton have been urged to stay vigilant to help protect the town centre chapel from recent minor but irritating acts of desecration and vandalism. The incidents have been reported to the police, but the culprits have not been brought to justice. The trustees of St James? request that anyone with an interest in the chapel help them to protect it from such unwelcome attention by popping in as they walk past. The vandalism seems to be occurring across the lunchtime when it is probable there are fewer people about. It is also proposed to bring the chapel back into more regular use, with the existing curfew bell being reinstated to enable it to be rung to announce daily morning and evening prayer. The trustees also hope to be able to provide running water and tea and coffee-making facilities. Proposals are also being made to install a hearing loop system for the hard of hearing, and to arrange for large print hymn books and service sheets. Trustees have also recently arranged for the completion of the tower lighting. The west and north-facing windows of the tower will be illuminated internally, bringing the tower alive during the hours of darkness. And a new floodlight is to be installed to light the east-facing clock. Funding of this project has been assisted by the Okehampton Non Ecclesiastical Trust, to which the trustees of the chapel are extremely grateful. The existing altar cloths are becoming threadbare and in urgent need of replacement. The same may be said of the St George?s flag, which is flown to celebrate the patron saint?s day, and the Christian festivals of Christmas, Easter, and Ascension Day ? the flag is discoloured, becoming tattered and is in need of replacement. Anyone interested in making a donation towards the replacement of these items may do so by contacting the Rector, the Rev Stephen Cook, chairman of the St James Trustees at the Rectory, Church Path, Okehampton, telephone 01837 659297 or Andrew Bourne on 01837 53784. The St James charity market which was started by the late John Bowers sets off again on Saturday, April 16, (from 9am to noon), and from then through the summer on the third Saturday of the month. Charities may have stall space for a cost of £5 a pitch ? collected on the day. Interested charities, or anyone who may wish to assist the trustees to organise the charity market can contact Andrew Bourne on 01837 53784 for more information.
