“Active Villages in Lifton and Hatherleigh and coming to North Tawton, Lamerton, Chagford and Dartmoor Forest’’

OCRA are keen to hear of any sports, dance, fitness, cycling, walking, extreme sports and any other activities that people of all ages would like to develop in their local communities. This might include kick starting new sports sessions, promoting existing activities, support with training or providing equipment.

Active Villages is a countywide programme co-ordinated by Active Devon and delivered by Okehampton Community Recreational Association (OCRA) and West Devon Bough Council in the West Devon area. It seeks to support rural communities to develop long-term sports, dance, fitness, cycling, walking, extreme sports and any other activities. This is for all ages to experience the fun of sport and build a life-long love of being active and healthy.

In the pilot phase OCRA are currently delivering multi skill and multi sport sessions for children in Hatherleigh and Lifton with 30 - 40 participating in each area. Other activities planned include a range of sports at a local youth club, an adult’s social netball night and improving access to water sports for people from Lifton.

In 2011 phase one of Active Villages welcomes Chagford, North Tawton, Lamerton and Dartmoor Forest onboard. We are keen to hear from individuals and groups about sports and activities they would like in their community.

The programme aims to increase sports participation in Devon's rural communities by supporting village based opportunities. It is funded by Devon County Council and Sport England Lottery funding and will work in over 150 parishes with between 500 and 2000 people over the three years.

OCRA say ‘this is a great opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy a wide range of fun sports and activities with family and friends in your own community’.

Please feed back to OCRA where we will be able to help you develop ideas and give you more information on Active Villages. Contact OCRA email admin@ocrasport.org.uk or phone 01837 54546 or visit this site www.activevillages.co.uk or www.ocrasport.org.uk