Okement Rivers Improvement Group

Okehampton Town's commercial and retail centre is effectively delineated by two rivers, the East and West Okement, which flow south to north some 300 metres apart through the town.  All traffic, pedestrian or otherwise, has to pass over the rivers on leaving or entering the town.

In September 1999 the then Town Mayor, Councillor Christine Marsh, appealed for volunteers to help clean up the rivers in Okehampton.

The enthusiastic response to this appeal led to the formation of the Okement Rivers Improvement Group.  The first meeting was held in April 2000 when a formal management committee was agreed, a constitution drawn up together with the following mission statement:
'To protect and enhance Okehampton Town Rivers and riverside environment for the benefit of the local community and our visitors.'

Management and Membership
The group has a management committee consisting of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.  All officers are elected/re-elected at an Annual General Meeting and other meetings are held at approximately two-monthly intervals.  Membership is free of charge and averages about 20 members.  In 2006 the group applied for and received registered charity status (Charity No 1114174).

Activities
The group meets on the last Saturday in each month to clear rubbish from the rivers and litter from the river banks and carry out light coppicing and brush clearance along riverside walks.  In addition to this routine work, the group has, since 2001, completed three major projects, namely:

Construction of Pig Bridge - in 2000 the Woodland Trust purchased 20 acres of privately owned woodland for Okehampton community use, to be known as Millennium Woods.  The wood rises steeply from the south bank of the East Okement River, which flows through Okehampton Town Park, but was at that time inaccessible from the park due to a lack of a suitable bridge over the East Okement.  In 2001 ORIG constructed a bridge over the East Okement to link the Town Park, via a natural hay meadow, with Millennium Woods.  The bridge was built on the site of a long demolished one which had been known locally as 'Pig Bridge'.  At the same time a footpath through the hay meadow was constructed to link the Town Park to the bridge with interpretative board along the route.

Y Bench Project - in 2005 ORIG placed two unusual Y-shaped benches, made from local cedar, in the town.  The Y-shaped uprights represented the confluence of the East and West Okement Rivers and are inscribed with carvings which relate to Okehampton's history and environment, its flora, fauna and wild life.

Weir and Fish Pass Enhancement at West Bridge - this occupies a prominent site in the town.  By 2006 it had become an overgrown and litter strewn eyesore, plainly visible to residents and visitors alike.  ORIG cleared the vegetation, repaired the weir, filled in the remains of an old mill leat with natural stone to provide a water cascade and improved the fish pass in the weir for salmon and trout migration.  As a final touch a much admired statue of a boy fishing was commissioned and installed.

All of the above projects were funded entirely by grant aid and in order to complete them ORIG has, since 2000, raised a total of some £58,750 from various bodies.

Current Major Project
Our current major project is to improve the area adjacent to the confluence of the two rivers which meet immediately behind a large supermarket close to the centre of the town.  This involves installing new fencing which will have an interpretative top rail, building a viewing platform on the river bank, planting trees and shrubs and installing picnic tables/benches which can cater for people of all physical abilities.  The group has succeeded in raising a further £25,000 for this project and work will be commencing shortly.

Joining the Group
If you would like to become part of this very friendly group please contact Christine Marsh on 01837 52350 for further details.  There is no commitment, each member helps as and when he or she is able.  New volunteers are very welcome so please come along - it is an excellent opportunity to learn more about our environment and to put something back into the community while at the same time enjoying yourself.