TAVISTOCK will be celebrating 1,000 years of history this weekend with the launch of the town's first ever heritage festival.

The aim of the festival is to highlight and celebrate Tavistock's unique history and heritage through a series of different events for people of all ages and interests.

From tomorrow night (Friday) until Monday lunchtime, the town will be alive with exhibitions, displays, talks, storytelling, guided walks, concerts, workshops, plays, markets and a variety of living history events all highlighting some key moments in the town's history.

The festival will be opened by Tavistock Mayor Councillor Harry Smith at the town hall tomorrow evening, with renowned historian Dr Ian Mortimer and master of the medieval murder mystery novel, Michael Jecks, joining forces to debate 'History, folklore and historical fiction — comfortable bedfellows?'

Dr Mortimer will give a second talk entitled 'Which century saw the most change —1,000 to 2,000' on Saturday morning at the Bedford Hotel. Saturday evening will see St Eustachius' Church reverberating with a celebration of Dartmoor song, dance and dialect courtesy of Dartmoor Pixie Band, Jim Causley, Bill Murray and the Tree Fellers and Geoff Lakeman.

During the days of the weekend there will be living history events throughout the town focusing on the history of the abbey, Francis Drake and the mining heritage. The Raggedy Victorians re-enactment group will be mingling with visitors around the town telling tales of what life was like in Victorian Tavistock when mining was at its peak. There will be live demonstrations of the work of a medieval apothecary and illuminator in the town council chambers throughout both days and Mount Kelly School will play host to a sword school and the story of Francis Drake's taking of Cadiz with live cannon firing. The Alexander Centre will be running special animation workshops for children on the Saturday and there will be historical fiction workshops in the library and Bedford Hotel.

On Saturday there will be a Heritage Apple Market in Bedford Square with a Heritage Artisan Market in the town hall on the Sunday along with a falconry display, wood carving demonstrations and trips to visit the Robey steam engines.

Dartmoor historical novelist Tania Crosse will sign copies of her books at the Tavistock Subsciption Library on Saturday.

Tickets for events are available on the door. For more details on events taking place visit http://www.tavistockheritagefestival.org.uk">www.tavistockheritagefestival.org.uk