DEVON Heartlands Local Community Forum provides a very effective meeting place for the exchange of views.

Recently, Mr Peter Woodgate presented his vision for Okehampton and called for strong leadership. 'Where do we look to find this kind of leadership ?' he asked.

I believe that it is time we had some 'joined up' thinking. There are so many active groups in Okehampton all aiming to benefit the community in some way.This newspaper gives excellent coverage of local events.

On November 22 Christians Together in Okehampton met in Fairplace Church and were led by The 'Friends' or 'Quakers'. We were given ideas about how to use the silence. Here is a sample which I feel is very relevant to the question of vision and leadership.

'Bring the whole of your life under the ordering of the spirit of Christ. Are you open to the healing of God's love? Cherish that of God within you, so that this love may grow in you and guide you. Let your worship and your daily life enrich each other. Treasure your experience of God, however it comes to you. Remember that Christianity is not a notion but a way.'

V A Cushing 

Tors Road

Okehampton