AN exhibition that provides a fascinating insight into the social history of quarrying over the last century is set to come to Tavistock in September.

The 'Quarry Voices' exhibition, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will be staged throughout different venues in Devon and Cornwall from May before coming to Tavistock Library in Plymouth Road between September 24 and October 15.

Among the fascinating collection of photographs being shown is one from the Kit Hill Quarry.

Dr Kayleigh Milden, project officer with the Peninsula Quarry Industry Social History Trust said: 'Take a walk across the rugged terrain of Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, or the varied geological coastline of our peninsula, and you won't travel far before passing an abandoned quarry.

'Not so long ago these now silent places were bustling with the noise of an industry which has left a significant legacy on our landscape and architecture.

'Devon Limestone, Cornish and Dartmoor Granite are found in an array of regional and national landmarks from Plymouth Breakwater and Exeter Cathedral to the Houses of Parliament and the base of Nelson's Column.

'But what is the human story behind the creation of these famous landmarks? This is the question that the Quarry Voices exhibition explores.'

During the last 12 months the Peninsula Quarry Industry Social History Trust, working in partnership with Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, Plymouth University and Geevor Tin Mine Museum, has been recording the memories of people connected to the regions' quarries.

 A team of 21 project volunteers helped record and transcribe more than 50 oral histories with participants.  

The recordings will be used to create a valuable archive for future generations which will be available to the public from the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office from late 2012.

A website will also be launched over the coming weeks and will provide further information and resources from the project archive.