The Ockley Society builds, manages and produces a fantastic display usually on the first or second Saturday of November of each year.

The approximate timetable is: 

5.00 p.m. Gates open.

5.45 p.m. Torch light possession: 25 Children of 12 years or older each bear a torch along a selected route around the arena, to the sound of the ‘Ockley March’ (a specially composed piece of music, first recorded in 1984). They are usually proceeded by representatives from the Nursery School, who have made and donated the ‘Guy’.

6.00p.m. (approx.) Bonfire ignited.

When the fire has died down sufficiently so that the firework arena has a reasonable amount of darkness: firework display which always includes our famous ‘set pieces’ - shapes and characters skillfully made from ‘lances’ which illustrate a topical subject each year. These need to be seen to be believed and are unique to us, other surrounding village displays tend not to have anything comparable.

The evening is completed by ready supply of hot food and beverages, all served in the marquee and Grand Christmas Hamper Raffle.

Some forty villagers are involved in setting up this event, whether building the bonfire, displaying the fireworks, providing the food, lights, sound and commentary, safety marshaling or gate control. Several hundred visit our display each year.

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Our ‘Coarse Cricket Sevens’ competition is held annually, usually on the third Sunday of September.

We bring together eight teams of seven for a day of fun cricket. The village green is decked out with a marquee, refreshments are available throughout the day, excellent lunches are provided and the adjacent pavilion opens it’s bar.

The rules are fairly straight forward and include:

Teams of seven, only one of whom can be a ‘proper’ cricketer (playing for the 1st or 2nd XI). The team must include at least one women member.
The match consists of one innings of six overs.
Each member of the fielding team (except the wicket keeper) bowls one over.
Each member of the batting team remains at the crease until declared ‘out’ or else reaches 22 runs, whereupon they retire.

Teams are made up from each of the following areas:

North Ockley, The Green, Friday Street, Mid Stane Street, South Stane Street, Weare Street, Leith Vale/Mole Street and Elmers Road. Details are announced in early summer of each year.

Ockley Society’s Annual Challenge Quiz evening takes place in the spring of each year with another quiz in the autumn.

Around 18 teams (of six) compete in this fun event  The next event takes place on 12th October 2019, commencing at 7.30p.m. sharp at the Village Hall. Doors open at 7.00pm.

Cost per team is £60 (maximum of six players) including a Fish 'n' Chip supper and savoury nibbles on the table. There is a licensed bar but please do not bring your own alcohol to the event.

To book your place, call Alan Hardy on 07860 473239 or email him at amh@amhi.co.uk

You know when Christmas is getting near when the Christmas Tree appears on the Green.

The 2019 event takes place on Saturday 7th December, at 5p.m. and lasts for about 75 minutes.

No charge for this, we just hope you will come along and enjoy the occasion.

A collection bucket is passed around, funds this year will go towards a topical fund, to be announced on the night.

The ‘Ocklympics’ a testing demonstration of our willingness to get wet, take part and have fun happens on an occasional basis, around once every four years. Teams are from different parts of the village and take part in a variety of games. The last event took place in July 2016

The Ockley Society’s Aim:

'... developing, supporting and encouraging village community life and spirit ...’

The Ockley Society is a group of enthusiastic, local villagers, whose aim is to develop, support and encourage a healthy village community spirit.

Please see the Ockley Society Facebook page for more details. We are always keen in hearing from anyone who has the time or resources to contribute to any of our events each year.

Please follow us to keep updated on planned events which include:

The Quiz Evening,

The Cricket Sevens

Bonfire and Fireworks

Christmas Tree Lighting/ Carols on the Green
... and occasionally, our ‘Ocklympics’

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History

The original Ockley Society was formed in 1967 with the specific purpose of opposing the proposed widening of the A29. As a ‘non statutory body’ it could be less inhibited in its tactics than a statutory body like the Parish Council..

Fortunately, the road widening scheme never happened but the Ockley Society continued to lobby on behalf of the well being of the village and comment on local structure and plans..

Eventually, the society became dormant in 1979 when the last Annual General Meeting was held, although it was nominally still in existence.

In 1984, a sub committee of the Parish Council planned and built the footpath on the village green from School Lane to the Surgery. Funds were raised by interest free loans and the work was carried out by enthusiastic volunteers supporting the committee.

There was a great spirit about the whole thing. Many village groups raised money in imaginative ways but there was still a healthy balance to re pay. The footpath committee and village hall committee planned a major day of fundraising. The effort was focused under the nominal label of the Ockley Society .

The committee devised and organised some inter-village games dubbed the Ocklympics and barbecue and dance in the evening.

‘The day was an immensely enjoyable effort by a lot of people, especially for the vibrant community atmosphere generated. So much so that it was felt that this spirit must not be lost and the Ockley Society was reborn at an AGM in March 1986 with the aim of ‘developing, supporting and encouraging village community life and spirit’.