This year's Calendar of Events
will be posted soon

Reports from Previous Events in 2009/2010

Burns' Night Supper Party

The Friends of All Saints Parish Church in Okehampton held a very successful Burns’ Night Supper Party event on Saturday 23^rd January, to provide an opportunity for people to enjoy a traditional Scottish evening, as well as raising funds for the church.

There were the traditional elements of Addressing the Haggis, followed by the humorous Toast to the Lassies and the Response to the Toast speeches, containing many references to Robbie Burns, with suitable witty comments! 

Andy Buchanan, a piper in full highland regalia, provided the music, together with Jean who led the singing and dancing after the plentiful Scottish fayre of haggis, tatties and neeps, followed by delicious Athol Brose and fruit crumble desserts.

Waitrose magnificently contributed all of the Macsween haggis (including vegetarian) for the evening, which was much enjoyed and greatly appreciated.

The tables were all decorated wonderfully, and with 70 people attending and having made an effort to wear something tartan, the atmosphere was fantastic with everyone enjoying a great time.

The Friends Burns Night Supper Party event raised about £650 for funds designated to maintaining the fabric of the Parish Church, and I would like to  take the opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in any way to make the evening so successful, enjoyable and memorable.

George Ware
Vice-chairman of The Friends 

             

  All Saints Carols by Candlelight  Service

Over 200 people attended the candle lit service of lessons and carols at All Saints Parish Church on Sunday 20th December, with some hearty singing of well known carols, most ably supported by the Senior and Junior Choirs.
The church was beautifully decorated and looked magical and spectacular and indeed was full, in spite of the fall of snow just before the service which added to the atmosphere, so completing the evening with warmed mulled wine and mince pies supplied and served by the Friends Committee of All Saints Parish Church was most welcomed by everyone.
Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.
George Ware
Vice-chairman of The Friends

All Saints Church Hosts The Two Moors Festival Visit to Okehampton

The Friends of All Saints Church annually host the visit of The Two Moors Festival, and each year it seems to get better. This year was no exception, we had a terrific time.  The Friends and the Rector, the Rev. Stephen Cook particularly welcome the event, which makes further good use of the lovely church and encourages people in addition to the regular congregation to come and enjoy musical social gatherings. 

The Friends Committee with helpers were delighted to provide refreshments, suppers and wine to the many visitors and performers, for a total of six concerts over the two days. The money taken contributes to the funds which The Friends endeavour to raise in its remit to improve and preserve the fabric of the church.

The range of musical content and style was, as always with this Festival, very wide indeed. We were treated to exciting Brazilian guitars, classical piano trio, unusual jazz trio, a lively lecture recital on Chopin, a taste of India with dances, and finally a fantastic programme of excerpts from popular opera works. However, all the concerts shared one thing; the sheer enthusiasm and first class musicianship and professionalism of all the performers.  The magnificent piano which played an important part in three of the concerts, and is especially transported to venues as required, was the familiar Bosendorfer Imperial Concert Grand piano, valued at around £100,000!  You can’t get better than that! 
 
We in turn served our visitors with a wonderful range of delicious refreshments and suppers, and not least many glasses of selected red and white wines. We received many complimentary comments on how enjoyable people feel about coming to concerts at All Saints Church, and indeed the church was practically full throughout all the concerts.  The performers particularly appreciate the wonderful acoustics and sense of occasion within the church.

The highlight of the concerts was for so many the last night, fittingly called “Opera to Die For…”

                                                   
It was indeed a fabulous night with superb singing, amusing and emotional music from a lovely range of opera composers.  The female soloists looked stunning, and indeed all were outstanding and obviously really enjoying themselves, and were delightful to meet with and talk to after the concert. Even those present who were not particularly opera fans thought it was fantastic. Wow!! We look forward to next year’s visit knowing that we will have a wonderful time.