ORGANISERS of celebrations marking the centenary of Simmons Park in Okehampton being open to the public promise two days of fun packed entertainment for everyone to enjoy. The event, on Saturday July 7 and Sunday, July 8, will include a £5,000 fireworks display in Kempley Meadows, two days of live music from top local performers, sports and games and will culminate in a grand 'Songs of Praise'. The extravaganza, with an Edwardian slant, would no doubt have been greatly approved by town benefactor, Sidney Simmons, who on July 8, 1907 'handed over' the park to the public in a ceremony involving the then Mayor of London, William Treloar. Okehampton Town Council, which is organising the celebrations, was recently joined by representatives of many local organisations, such as the chamber of trade, the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, the Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton Camera Club, the Dartmoor Railway and other societies and bodies determined to make it 'two days to remember.' Cllr Christine Marsh, who chaired the meeting, reflected the mood of the organisers when she said: 'This is a great celebration for the town and we just want people of all age to enjoy themselves.' Activities will include a barbecue, organised by the Lions; a hog roast from Rotary; guided walks with Tom Sobey; games with Okehampton Community Recreational Association, such as rolling a giant inflatable ball, a Punch and Judy, schoolchildren dancing around a maypole and croquet on the putting area. Music will be provided by Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band, the Wren Trust, Richard Appleby, Jailbreak. The committee hopes to attract other local musicians and groups to be involved. The Courtenay Players plan to stage a music hall production in true Edwardian style. Stan Stormont, one of the players, told the committee it would include singing, dancing, poetry readings, and perhaps a small play 'which was all part of the music hall in those days'. Peter Roberts, from the Lions Club, who are organising a donkey derby the Sunday before the celebrations, said although it was family orientated it was important to make it fun for 'the younger generation'. Pastor David Walters said of the 'Songs of Praise': 'It needs to be a blend of ancient and modern and we want the Songs of Praise to be the icing on the cake for the event. 'We realise the sobriety of the event but it is also a celebration, where we go from the traditional to the mad rockers!' Allenton Fisher, on behalf of the chamber of trade and the Rotary Club, said a brochure was planned with six pages about Sidney Simmons and further information about the town's groups and societies. This would be on sale over a three-month period. A procession involving as many people as possible, and some dressed in Edwardian costume to reflect the historic occasion, could be organised from Fairplace or possibly from the railway station. Catherine Douglas Wallace from the Dartmoor Railway hoped visitors would be able to use the Rover train service from Exeter to see the event and/or the Dartmoor Railway steam train would be in service, perhaps as part of the Edwardian re-enactment. Provisional plans discussed for the programme included a photographic competition run by Okehampton Camera Club. Derek Stratton, from the club, said he would be prepared to judge the competition, which would be open in various categories, for different age groups, and for 'the non-serious and serious' amateur photographers, with a Simmons Park theme, perhaps such as 'A day in the life of Simmons Park', or 'What the park means to me!' Tne next meeting of the committee is on March 7.
