150th Celebration Street Banner - Used With Permission of Hyder Pirwany
The 150th Celebrations
The 3rd October 1871 was the date that the railway first came to the town, so in 2021 we celebrated the 150th anniversary. Not only a great anniversary but also the year that the railway is returning to the town.
The celebrations were spread over two days, see below for more details.
Poster for the 150th fun days!
The Charter Hall Set and Ready for the Festivities
Saturday
The Saturday was a Victorian tea party kindly provided by Okehampton Inner Wheel. The walls of the Charter Hall were decorated with art that the pupils of the Dartmoor Academy Trust had provided. (See more in the gallery).
Different entertainment was also provided, see the links to the video content.
Lots of people came to the event, and dressed up. It was nice to see such community involvement.
Enjoying the Entertainment and the Cream Tea!
Town Cryer Ros Charlton Starts Precedings in the Charter Hall
Sunday
On the Sunday, the celebration was more of a formal affair.
Festivities started in the Charter Hall with a proclamation by the Mayor of Okehampton, Cllr Bob Tolley, speaking as the Mayor of Okehampton of 1871 Archdeacon John Downfall.
Mayor of Okehampton Cllr Bob Tolley, speaking as Archdeacon John Downfall
Plenty of People in the Charter Hall for the Formalities!
After the proclamation, the intention was to have a procession up Station Road to the station. Unfortunately the weather was poor and so people made their own way up.
There was a ceremonial presentation of a key, representing the opening of the new line.
Mayor of Okehampton Archdeacon John Downfall (Cllr Bob Tolley), Presents Mr W. Hodge 1871 Stationmaster, (Clive Charlton) a Symbolic Key for the Opening of the Railway
If you have photos of the festivities, please contact us – we’d love to share them here.
