TAVISTOCK History Society is celebrating its 30th anniversary this Tuesday with a 'gem' of a subject.

The society's birthday will feature a talk in the Bedford Hotel at 7.15pm entitled 'A Devon Gem — the Bedford Hotel Tavistock'.

Alex Mettler, a founder member, will give the talk under the watchful eye of society president and founder member, Gerry Woodcock.

In 1984 the late Robin Fenner convened a meeting for members of the community who had an interest in both the study of local history and the setting up of a Tavistock Museum. The meeting resulted in the formation of the Tavistock Society later renamed the Tavistock and District Local History Society.

Thirty years on and the society still thrives with some 90 members enjoying monthly meetings, which offer talks covering local history and related topics, and, in the summer months, a series of outdoor events visiting places of historic interest.

The History Society was responsible for the setting up and running of the Tavistock Museum for some 20 years, in 2003 this task being transferred to the Tavistock Museum Trust.

l The birthday talk is free for all members and non-members, and is sponsored by the Bedford Hotel, publishers of 'A Devon Gem'.