The Honourable George Lambert represented Okehampton as Member of Parliament, like his father before him, for many years. A gentleman at all times, he enjoyed a large personal vote, which always gave him a substantial majority as a National Liberal and Conservative.
In this picture of the 1950s election he chats with his normal good humour with tellers and supporters of all parties outside the polling station at the Primary School in North Street, having a particular banter with strong Labour supporter, Norah Gee. Fred Dennis, much later in life, was to become chairman of the West Devon Borough Council, an honour he thoroughly deserved and which he filled with distinction whilst avoiding party political influences.
‘Ginger’ Hawkins was, of course, one of the great ‘characters’ of Okehampton, a cattle drover turned successful cattle dealer and, later, hard-working Councillor and Alderman, but he died before he could fulfil his mayoral ambition.
From the traffic, it can be seen that this was before North Street was designated “One-Way’. Left to Right: The Hon. Mrs Lambert, The Hon. George Lambert, Mary Hawkins, Miss Miller, Vic Lancaster, Norah Gee, Ginger’ Hawkins, Major D. P. K. Ryan, Fred Dennis and George Farley.
