A GROUP of Okehampton carers and the people they help marked November 11 with an exhibition of handpainted wooden discs featuring poppies outside St James Chapel.

Members of the Oke Tree Network gathered on November 11 to place work they painted themselves at weekly art sessions outside the chapel in what was their unique tribute to the fallen for Remembrance Day.

’It was actually a really nice little get together on Thursday morning. We coincided with the two-minute silence which was nice,’ said Vicky Hooper from the carers’ network. ’

’There were one or two members of the public around and there was a nice sense of everybody joining in together.’

She explained that the group had been painting wooden discs in sessions each Thursday as therapy during lockdown.

They have previously left artwork in green spaces in Okehampton for people to happen upon during their daily exercise in the lockdowns. The idea was sparked by one of those who Vicky helps, talented artist Barbara Smith, 97, who lives at Castle Ham Lodge. The idea snowballed and others in the group took part.

Barbara said: ’The logs were cut into little rounds and we started by painting little scenes on them and they were put around parks and woodlands for people to pick up and look at and move to different places.

’When we got close to Remembrance Day I thought it would be nice to put out some poppy artwork to remember those who fought and died and the rector of that small church allowed us to put them outside the church, which was nice.

’We also did a streamer with little triangles with poppies on them and put that outside the church on the bench and we were all there on November 11. I’m 97 now so I have to try hard at these things.’

She said art had proved therapeutic for those of all ages who the Oke Tree Network helps in and around Okehampton.

’I’m sure art does help people,’ she said. ’It does me, it calms me down, it stops me worrying. A lot of people think they can’t do it but they can.’

Vicky said:’I have been really inspired by Barbara. She is such a remarkable lady and she has shown me methods and techniques for painting and I have really really enjoyed it.

’Painting has become a hobby of mine and I have Barbara to thank for that.

’There was a tremendous sense of pride on November 11 among the group at what we had come up with.’

The group’s artwork was left in situ for people to observe on Remembrance Sunday when the traditional parade was held in Okehampton town centre.